About plexi preamp tubes ...

Firstly, except for basic maintenance, Joes tech leaves servicing to the original manufacturers.

I can speak to what he has fitted to his Carol-Ann amps. Both the Black one (No.1) and the red one (No.2) are loaded with Chinese preamp tubes, specifically 12AX7B. The selection process I go through is very long winded, but ultimately the chinese preamp tubes (when you find the good ones) are the best sounding, most three dimensional  and quietest of the current production 12AX7's. The 12AX7A's are not as good and have a much higher proportion of noisy samples.

In general Joe doesn't care for NOS tubes because of scarcity issues and the jacked up costs associated with them, he prefers his amps to be designed around easily available current production tubes.

Because of the volume Joe plays at the power tubes are the ones that take the hammer.
Both No.1 and No.2 are loaded with TAD Chinese EL34's. I have found these to be the most reliable of current production EL34's. He used to use JJ's, but over the past year production has become pretty flakey with a lot of failing or failed examples getting through the supply chain.

Hope this helps.

Alan Phillips
Carol-Ann Cutom Amplifiers, LLC

I think he uses Electro Harmonix' tubes in the Cat5.

Just thought I chime in with my opinions

I have a Messa Rect-o-Verb 50 loaded with JJ Gold preamp tubes and Sovtek 6L6 power amp tubes, To be honest this is the best combination i've found. I have a couple of JJ 6L6s waiting for me to try as the amp expert I use tells me I'm going to like them but for now I'm sticking with the sovteks. Apparently the Electro Harmonic valves are identical to the Sovtek version thought slightly better quality.... so I'm told. If i'm honest I think i'd like more warmth out it but everall I've been very happy with JJs and their quality.

Oh, forgot to mention I tried Chineese replacement valves in my Boogie and hated them... I can't put my finger on it but there was a dimention missing that really bugged me.

Nightfly

Isn't it great to hear a proper pro' saying that NOS valves are NOT the be all and end all of valve tone. AND that Chinese valves are coming along just great, the Russian and Euro makers have had it their own way for to long, and perhaps that's why quality is going down hill somewhat.

I have got so pissed off with valves that I have cast aside my valve combo in favour of an old solid state amp from the late '70's, it's a Yamaha G100B-212, what a fantastic sounding amp, like a 'Twin', no, don't laugh, I'm serious, and there are no valves to worry about, no noise nothing, just great tone, at any volume.... AND it takes pedals superbly, it just loves my Tim pedal.
So, until I can afford to buy a good quality high end valve amp, I am going SS.

Jon

Wow!, i tryied 12ax7B china tubes and are great!, in V2 and V3 positions make my amp sing!, in V1 i put a NOS Zaerix 12AX7, to get a fat sound and...THIS is the combination!
Thanks folks!