Splawn owners! Preamp tube suggestions?

[ledvedder]

I've had a lot more time to jam with the Streetrod today. And, as with any amp, I got sucked in by the allure of tube rolling. I took the back of the amp off to see what was in it. It has 4 Chinese 12ax7b's. I have lots of different tubes to try (Tungsol, sovtek 12ax7lps,jj 12ax7 and 5751, Ruby hg, etc). I'm just wondering if I can pull a little bit more out of this already incredible amp. Wondering what you guys have tried?

 

[crwnedblasphemy]

Old Mullard v1
Jan Phillips v2

 

[JerEvil]

I actually have been thinking about lower gain preamp tubes...

 

[Chris6870]

Splawn labeled tubes except Tung Sol in V1

 

[ledvedder]

Splawn labeled tubes except Tung Sol in V1

Can you explain why?

Also, what effect would a 5751 have in the PI slot?

 

[Chris6870]

I like the Splawn tubes. I really didn't find THAT much difference in preamp tubes. I thought the Tung Sol in 1 sounded a little brighter and clearer. I have JJ E34L power tubes, I found that made more of a difference. Lower tighter bottom end. Also less shrill sounding than the stock Sinos.

 

[thenine]

I put 2 NOS Jan 5751's in V1 and V2 of my Splawn modded Marshall. Freakin love it.

 

[hatrick00]

I like the 12ax7bs in my splawn

 

[ZL1Hawk]

Splawn tubes have always served me well.

 

[Junk Yard Dog]

I tube rolled quite a bit with my Pro Stock (so only V1-3). I had an RFT in V1 and removed it, because it was a higher gain tube in a high gain circuit, and it somewhat became less articulate at high volumes.

Here's what I have now:

V1 - Splawn 12AX7B
V2 - Ruby 12AX7AC5 HG+
V3 - Sovtek LPS

 

[cecilbag]

I've had good luck with Splawn labeled preamp tubes but I've tried tons of power tubes and always come back to the Mullard reissues. Try Valve Queen, she didn't have them listed on her site but got me a matched set and I always have a good experience with her.

 

[ledvedder]

The tubes it came with have no label on them. They just say 12ax7b.

Scott said to try a lower gain tube in v1 to help clean up the clean channel.

 

[El Mariachi]

Splawn tubes have always served me well.

This...

I tried some others. JJ's, Jan Phillips...

The Splawn labeled tubes just work.

 

[ledvedder]

Where do you get Splawn labelled tubes?

 

[El Mariachi]

Where do you get Splawn labelled tubes?

You can get them at the Splawn Shop online or just give Splawn a call.

 

[232cap]

V2 in a Splawn is actually the first stage of gain, V1 is for the clean.