NAD: Framus Cobra Top (tube suggestions?)

  • Thread starter Thread starter stefanwest
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stefanwest

stefanwest

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Just got a Framus Cobra V5 top for $750.

It came stock with EH 12ax7s and EL34's
Not sure of the Bias but taking it to a tech to make it around 35ma- so I've been told.

They sound alright but I recently purchased the following and would like some CC on my selection

Ruby EL34B-STRs Quad Matched

3 Shuguang 12AX7B 9th Gen Chinese (Slot 2-3-4?)
1 Ruby 12ax7AC7 HG+ Balanced (Slot 1?)
1 Ruby 7025 STR HG (Slot 1?)
2 Tung-Sol 12ax7 Re-Issue Matched (Slot 1-2?)
1 Sovtek 12ax7 LPS Balanced (Phase Inverter)


I've also got some old RCA 12AT7 around.

I've seen the Shuguang 12ax7-Tresaure series and wondered if they were worth the $45, and where I'd put them.
Also been looking at Gold Lion, Golden Dragon, and PM Tubes.

Running a KHKD Ghoul Screamer in front with an Art Tube EQ in the FX loop.

What would you do with this current setup?
 
sg guy":3ota4rpb said:
-how's it sound with just --->guitar---->amp--->speakers?
Click to expand...

Well since my guitar has stock passives, it's kinda janky and loose. The OD tightened it up in a very nice way.
The EQ just helps me extend control since the amp EQ is comprised of baxandall-style tone stacks.
 
I messed around with preamp tubes on my Cobra also. I don't think you will tell much of a difference throwing a 45.00 tube in it. I would just get some good quality and tested tubes. The Framus Cobra is just a monster regardless. That amp just loves being on full blast. What a beast!
 
Congrats on your amp. Ya got pics?

I absolutely despise Electro Harmonix tubes period. Never had any luck with them. Someone may chime in that they love theirs to take it with a grain of salt.

I really like JJs and JAN 5751. The JAN 5751 is a NOS tube but not at a super expensive price (yet) and they consistently work good in V1 and PI. Slightly less gain but very low noise and very clean and focused. Otherwise, I usually go with JJ 12AX7s. The Sovtek LPS is often recommended for a PI, I just have never bothered to get one. The Rubys are rebranded something else. Look at Lolzgreg's tube recommendation post tonight on page 1 to learn a little more on those. Despite his post though, I do recommend JJ power tubes, especially for EL34s and 6L6s.

Get yourself some Dioxit (like) contact cleaner. Not WD40. Spray the tube pins before you put one in and 'clean' the sockets a bit.

Ping Doug at dougstubes.com, Laura at thevalvequeen.com or Bob at eurotubes.com and get their recommendation as well.



Edit: Also, some will disagree, but I am not a big fan of the snake oil type shit some tube dealers try to sell you on. Sure there are exceptions (like using a balanced tube in the PI) but words like balanced, high gain, tested, matched, gold pin, etc etc do not do much for me - at least for preamp tubes.
 
The Cobra is a very saturated amp and can sound a bit fizzy. I really like KT77's in mine, it helps dry it up just a hair and ditch some fizz. I have no idea what preamp tubes I have in it, I don't generally bother with preamp tube switching and swapping.

I run a clean boost in front of the crunch channel and dime the gain, mid, and volume levels. I adjust presence depending on how much master volume I use and leave the bass and treble at about 12:00.

Nothing beats a boosted Cobra for metal. Yeah a rev 2, Herbert, 5150...all awesome metal amps, but nothing beats a Cobra at it's own game.
 
Ok So I put this
Ruby 12AX7AC7 HG+ in V1
Shuguang 12AX7 Chinese 9th Gen in V2 V3 V4
Sovtek 12AX7-LPS in V5

Ruby EL34B-STR in power

Already I notice it MUCH crunchier!
There is a noticeable drop in bass thud.

The Eq on the amp is much more responsive in a way that the Mid is much better focused, the treble is really adding low bass and 2-3k as I wished for, presence adds a little more shrill in a good way, and the depth knob is snow subdued a little but that's ok because it now sounds less like a Mesa and more like a 5150.
So overall I had to reset my Art EQ and I'm really not using it much. Just to bump 500 or 800hz, push 100ish, and dial back 12khz.
The overdrive pedal is helping push the preamp into tube breakup but I don't need to dime out the volume like I used to.
It's much louder than before and there is a major coloring with the volume knob that helps me understand why people say the amp is sooooo touchy.
You can dial in the amp but if you touch the volume knob on each channel, it changes the sound completely!!!

I still haven't used the Ruby 7025-STR, or the Tung-Sol 12AX7 tubes yet and am curious where I'd put them besides the V1. Also the EH tubes were still good sounding like a JCM 800 or DSL so I'll keep them for now.

Because I am new to switching tubes, this is only my review of this current configuration so I don't know how each tubes characteristic gives or takes away.
But I'll check in now and then.

I hope this helps someone in 1 or 20 years.
 
Right on, glad you're happy. I've been playing my Cobra a lot the last week or so, I picked up a strait Cobra cab and it sounds a LOT better than my angled Cobra cab.
 
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