Best CP 12AX7's??

[Bloodrock]

So I was wondering what everyones favorite current production 12ax7's are? I've tried several in my modded Marshalls, but none are really sounding that great, and some are just crazy microphonic when used in V1 of my JCM 800. Are NOS tubes really worth the price?

 

[jsp]

What have you already tried?

 

[DAMIAN The MAN]

I put a JJ in v1 in my JMP. v2-v3 ruby hg ac7. Very pleased with them. I have Zakk Wylde/BLS tones instantly.

 

[lespaul6]

I recently got my Wizard back from Rick and he retubed the preamp section with JJecc803's....... these are long plate 12ax7's and they sound pretty good, more high end sparkle than the standard JJ ecc83's. Long plate tubes and high gain heads are not supposed to work according to some, but they actually sound pretty good. I would buy them for my other amps.

 

[crwnedblasphemy]

Try none...my other guitarist and I did extensive tone day a few weeks ago...My fav in my splawn is a Jan Philips 12ax7wa...Followed by one of his Bugel Boys. The jp is more creamy, and the bugel boys have a nice high mid, but not annoying at all. third is the Telefunken...Clarity with some give. I know you asked current production, so I will say the Splawn labeled chinese ones are fine to me. Didn't notice any real differences in the other slots of my amp besides first and last.

That being said...I got a brand new Jan GE 12at7wc for my phase inverter spot in the quickrod after trying out one he had. I was floored at the difference. compressed things way more and took the overwhelming bass down a bit. Tone searching is fun!

 

[OUTLAW1969]

I have had pretty good luck re-tubing my modded Marshalls (Jose type), with an RFT in V1 and Chinese 12AX7's in other slots.

A good RFT will last for a long time, adds a very nice grind, and is worth the investment.

 

[daveg62]

there are some nos tubes that are affordable and still much better than any cp imho. try a raytheon (or Baldwin) blackplate, Sylvania w/green lettering, or maybe a tungsram. Most of these can be had for < 25$ on the bay.

 

[glip22]

NOS are great but getting very expensive. My fav is the 32 Code Rosnov Tesla. I had a bunch and some of them lasted 7 years.

 

[Bloodrock]

What have you already tried?

So far, JJ, Svetlana, and Mullard reissue. I guess I should try some of the Chinese since I'm not digging the Russian stuff.

 

[blackba]

What have you already tried?

So far, JJ, Svetlana, and Mullard reissue. I guess I should try some of the Chinese since I'm not digging the Russian stuff.

Besides the Chinese, I would try the tung sol reissue, electro harmonic and sovtek LPs.

Not a fan of jj preamp tubes or svetlana preamp tubes. Never tried the Mullard reissues.

 

[jsp]

I've had good luck with Electro Harmonix and Tung Sol's as well.

 

[steve_k]

Jump on ebay and find some NOS RFT's for V1. The Gold Lion long plate is a great V1 tube for your Marshall. An NOS BRIMAR Mullard is good too.

 

[apophis]

+1 on the RFT, can't go wrong with it

 

[just42dave]

Im selling my tube collection as a whole or separate
I have 20 12ax7c 8th gen unused and 15 ei's and 20 random tungsol etc CP tubes if interested

 

[just42dave]

also 2 matsushita 12ax7 which are really sweet

 

[DAMIAN The MAN]

Im selling my tube collection as a whole or separate
I have 20 12ax7c 8th gen unused and 15 ei's and 20 random tungsol etc CP tubes if interested

12ax7c 8th are those with square foil getter ? Brand new ?

 

[Mr. Willy]

I've had a lot of good luck with Shuguang and Ruby preamp tubes. Tung-Sol reissues in V1 sound very good, too - huge and wide. I don't care for JJ's (too dark, no high end sparkle, lifeless, dull) or Sovteks (not bad, but very average, middle of the road). YMMV.

 

[midnightlaundry]

I really dig the new JJ ECC83 MG's. I'm surprised that nobody is talking about them. They're really open and dynamic.

 

[4406cuda]

I like the Tungsol reissues. Got mine from The Tube Depot.

 

[Ventura]

Depends on the amp, but I've had great success with:
Sovtek LPS
Gold Lion ECC83 (hand picked LPS tubes)
Shuguang/Chinese high grade
EiYugo (phase inverter)
Tung-Sol

All in different amps, all in different combinations.
YMMV,
Peace