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JJ/Tesla ECC83/12AX7 tubes

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10/22/1999 5:13 PM

JJ/Tesla ECC83/12AX7 tubes

I'm interested in hearing other's opinions of this euro frame grid preamp tube -- in terms of tone, microphonics, and reliablility. I bought two recently, and I like the way they sound - they seem bright, with good gain, but are also reasonably warm. One of the two is a bit microphonic, however. I'm thinking about getting some more, but would like to hear what you think about them first.

10/22/1999 10:02 PM
John Stokes	I think they're good tubes. I agree that they're a bit on the bright side. I actually prefer the new Sovtek 12AX7LPS or the Ei Yugoserb because they sound sweeter.

10/22/1999 10:28 PM
Lee	I bought 2 Ei 12AX7s and both were too microphonic to use in my Pro Jr. They seemed OK in a Bandmaster Reverb.

10/23/1999 3:18 AM

Re: JJ/Tesla ECC83/12AX7 tubes in PJ?

quote:
"I bought 2 Ei 12AX7s and both were too microphonic to use in my Pro Jr. They seemed OK in a Bandmaster Reverb."

Lee, what have you found to sound good in the PJ?

10/24/1999 7:49 PM

Lee, microphonics susceptability is a known problem with the Ei 12AX7. I would hazard a guess that most of them are too micorphonic to use in a gain amp. However, not ALL of them are excessively microphonic. I bought a bunch of them from LV that he pre-tested for microphonics, and every one he shipped me is usable. Yeah, I paid him a bit more for this screening, but the result is I got a whole load of tubes and every one is good. When I previously would buy the things, I'd end up with at least a 50% reject rate. So I just decided to pay more and get examples that were known-good. If you are looking for a sweet and warm sounding 12AX7, the Ei is the ticket, if you can get one of the few that doesn't ring like the telephone. Snap them up while you can, I heard the factory was flattened in the NATO bombing of Serbia since the same factory also made tubes used in Serb radars.

10/24/1999 8:13 PM
Jeff	John, When you say high-gain amps, are you talking about a boogie or Soldano type? I have an old PLexi and run it pretty hot. I get a decent amount of gain. Of course it's all tube satuturation. Would the EI's work for me?? Thanks, jeff

10/24/1999 8:51 PM
John Stokes	Jeff, Plexis are not really high gain amps in the sense of a Mesa, Soldano, Rivera, etc. I think an Ei might work well, but again, I'd buy them pre-tested so you don't have to deal with bullshit microphonics hassles. LV will provide them tested for noise.

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