nevusofota
Well-known member
I recently had to replace my preamp tubes due to a bad V4 12AX7WC in my 5150III. I was wondering if anyone tried other tubes and with what outcome.
nevusofota
Well-known member
bump
nevusofota
Well-known member
Bishop5150
Well-known member
I just replaced my V4 preamp tube over the weekend as well. I used a JJ since thats what was already in there.
nevusofota
Well-known member
Which JJ (and is it the same tube as in V1)? Mine came with Sovtek 12AX7WC in V1 and V4.victim5150":md7x8beo said:
This is what came in mine:
V1: Sovtek 12AX7WC
V2: Electro-Harmonix 12AX7EH
V3: Electro-Harmonix 12AX7EH
V4: Sovtek 12AX7WC
V5: Electro-Harmonix 12AX7EH
V6: Electro-Harmonix 12AX7EH
V7: Sovtek 12AX7LPS
V8: Sovtek 12AX7LPS
Do you know off hand what came in yours?
Bishop5150
Well-known member
Mine came with all JJ's in the preamp and power amp. I bought mine used but I'm pretty sure they're the stock tubes it came with.
nevusofota
Well-known member
Is V1 the same type(not brand) of 12AX7 as V4? and V2 and V3 being yet another type of 12AX7?victim5150":2lasxhru said:
M
mesanatic
New member
nevusofota":3o6t9h4t said:
Mine has Sovteks too but I never had to look closely at all the pre amp tubes. I know the power tubes were Sovteks and a couple pres I saw through the rear screen. Never took it off. My son has it now, so I can't look. I got mine new when they first came out. The later ones had all JJ's, pre and power, but mine sounds clearer, more articulate and the JJ loaded ones which have a bit more top end fizz or sizzle.
I don't care for JJ pres but they make great power tubes.
Just replace V4 with the same tube if you like the way it sounds. I wouldn't use a JJ pre.
What power tubes are in yours?
nevusofota
Well-known member
Sovtek power tubes came in mine. The amp was one of the first 500 made. I bought it new. Your amp probably has the elctroharmonix pres also. It sounds like you have the same tube set up since you have sovtek pres in v7 and v8 as well as the power section. I'm curious if all the sovtek power tube amps (early run) have the same v1-v2 tube pattern. You are right in saying to not change the type of tubes if you like the sound. I retubed with the exact tube set-up because I have always liked the sound of my amp. I'm just wondering if it could get any better. I'm sure many of you fellow tone chasers can relate.mesanatic":bws535dk said:
M
mesanatic
New member
I can relate. Thought about changing tubes in mine till I heard the newer ones with JJ's and said screw that. What were they thinking. 
Though I do remember hearing Fender had some tube issues on the early ones and JJ's are supposed to last longer.
Though I do remember hearing Fender had some tube issues on the early ones and JJ's are supposed to last longer.
tonmazz
New member
mesanatic":1c7y0z5l said:I can relate. Thought about changing tubes in mine till I heard the newer ones with JJ's and said screw that. What were they thinking.
Though I do remember hearing Fender had some tube issues on the early ones and JJ's are supposed to last longer.
Exactly. When I had mine, 2 of my other friends had them as well. In the older ones they had the original tube layout diagram inside, the way Eddie intended it. He tried it to the original specs and I have to say it really made the amp better. It lost a bit of the throw but was a smoother sounding amp, not as harsh.
Bishop5150
Well-known member
Good question. I'll have to check on that one. The tube layout diagram and the owners manual just say 12AX7 for all the preamp tubes. I've looked at them before because I took them all out and swaped whem out with a brand new one, one at a time till I found the bad one. They all looked exactly the same but I just assumed that I guess. I will look next time I get a chance.nevusofota":213226tl said:
nevusofota
Well-known member
Cool, thanks.victim5150":22pqwtrf said:
Bishop5150
Well-known member
I just checked and mine all have the exact same type of JJ 12AX7 preamp tubes. I have a later model though. It is serial# 02217. It has the tube layout sticker on the left handside of the inside of the amp. Mine's not fizzy at all.
nevusofota
Well-known member
Thanks very much for checking. I am assuming that they are just regular 12AX7's, without letters after the "7". I may try some just to see if there is any difference. I am kind of surprised that V1 and V4 are the same type of JJ 12AX7 since these two get more current flow (they are the only tubes that have a visible glow to them).
Bishop5150
Well-known member
There are no letters after the "7" on mine.
W
WIRED
Member
I did some experimenting w my new 50w EVH head today, ended up swapping 4 tubes out:
V1 Tung Sol
V2 Electro Harmonix
V5 Tung Sol
V9 (PI) Sovtek LPS
I left the stock JJs in the rest of the slots. Sounds great. I think the tube layout is slightly different from the 100w head. On the 50w, V2-4 are for ch 3 & V5-6 are for channels 1/2.
V1 Tung Sol
V2 Electro Harmonix
V5 Tung Sol
V9 (PI) Sovtek LPS
I left the stock JJs in the rest of the slots. Sounds great. I think the tube layout is slightly different from the 100w head. On the 50w, V2-4 are for ch 3 & V5-6 are for channels 1/2.
the4thlast1
Well-known member
I've tried a lot of tubes in the EVH...preamp and poweramp....... I prefer a mix of JJ and EH in the preamp... The Sovtek WC's do not sound good to my ears. I would take a WB over a WC. I am probably in the minority with this one but I also do not like the LPS in the phase inverter, it is a clear sounding tube but tends to add some harshness in most amps when used in the phase inverter , especially the EVH.
The JJ pres are warm and smooth, the EH tubes add some tightness\brightness\clarity. I find a mix of these yield a balanced tone.
The JJ pres are warm and smooth, the EH tubes add some tightness\brightness\clarity. I find a mix of these yield a balanced tone.