Tubes for Friedman Plex

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Fiesta Red

Fiesta Red

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Has JJs in there now -- starting to sound a little bright (even for a plexi). Might need to have the bias checked.

What tubes would you use?
 
It's a bright amp.
Great in a mix with a band, abrasive at home.
Rft in V1 is perfect.
Tungsram or Chinese square getter in v2.
Crank the volume knobs, use the bright switches. Hit it with an od with the tone turned down.
Lots of killer sounds in that amp.
 
LP Freak said:
RFT in V1 is what I had in mine. Trims a little off the top
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I use RFT in V1 for the SLO, and did in the JCM800.
I need to try em in the GZ SS and Wizard MC50 6L.
Just got in some more Tungsram and a Matsushita. Can't wait to try em out.


The Plex is a killer amp.
It's simple, and needs to be set a certain way, but it'll cover a lot of sounds.
My friends come over and crank the bass and turn down the treble presence.
Personally, I like to turn the bass up to that spot where it just kicks in, and like a lot of mids and treble.
Has the best feel and sounds the best in a mix.

Enjoy that Plex!!!!
 
FWIW - I have had very good luck with the Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 to warm up the top end on bright amps. Pricey, but really nice sounding.
 
I notice it has lost about 10 percent of its gain also, in addition to being brighter.
 
Fiesta Red said:
Has JJs in there now -- starting to sound a little bright (even for a plexi). Might need to have the bias checked.

What tubes would you use?
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JJ E34L, or KT77. JJ 6CA7's are a bit warmer, but I find them less aggressive. Another great tube, (and warm), is the Tungsol EL34B. Punchy too.

The preamp, I always go with Tungsol in V1. Yeah, they're kinda bright, but I add a couple JJ's to compensate.
A Mullard CV4004 in V1 might be worth a try. It's a pretty fat, rounder tube.

Alot pf people gripe about JJ power tubes, but I've only had maybe 2 or 3 go on me since 2005. And that's hundreds of amps. I like them because of their warmth, and aggressive character.
 
PDC said:
FWIW - I have had very good luck with the Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 to warm up the top end on bright amps. Pricey, but really nice sounding.
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I have a couple of their CV4004's that came out of an amp I bought used. They are very quiet, warm and fat. And expensive...
 
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I don’t have a Friedman Plex but in my Marshall plexi type amps I use the JJ EL34 II
 
Aren’t the Tungsol’s a little warmer? I have a memory of trying one a couple of times and not using it because I I wanted to maximize the Shazam.
My amp guy said he’s heard some good things from amp makers regarding PSVane 34’s. Supposedly folks who left Shuguang are behind it.
 
I like Tung Sol EL-34s personally. If the amp is suddenly sounding different than normal, you're probably right to suspect a tube issue. I would roll the preamp tubes a bit and see if you have a dud. Then look at power tubes.
 
In a recent interview Dave Friedman stated in 2025 he likes to run a JJ in V1 and Chinese 12ax7's in V2 and V3. He stated the issues he is seeing mostly is microphonics in current production preamp tubes when selecting for V1 and I think he mentioned PS Vane but the Ruby AC5 are great preamp tubes and I used them in my 72 and 68 plexi's.

Usually on plexi amps V1 is the preamp tube the farthest from the power tubes and closest to the input jacks and it looks like that applies on the Plex as well.
1749163410625.jpeg

My plexi/superlead go to preamp tubes regarding new production preamp tubes are Tung Sol for V1(sound similar to NOS Sylvania, V2 and V3 8th generation Ruby AC5 Chinese. Just pick the power tubes you like.

I found the new Mullard reissue CV4004 to be quite round and super warm, almost soft sounding and I didn't care for it but George Metropolous is using the regular Mullard Reissues in the Metroplex MKII's as far as I know and has been using them since the MK1's. If you find the Plex super bright you may like the standard Mullard reissue's.
 
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harddriver said:
In a recent interview Dave Friedman stated in 2025 he likes to run a JJ in V1 and Chinese 12ax7's in V2 and V3. He stated the issues he is seeing mostly is microphonics in current production preamp tubes when selecting for V1.

Usually on plexi amps V1 is the preamp tube the farthest from the power tubes and closest to the input jacks and it looks like that applies on the Plex as well.
View attachment 402975
My plexi/superlead go to preamp tubes regarding new production preamp tubes are Tung Sol for V1(sound similar to NOS Sylvania, V2 and V3 8th generation Ruby AC5 Chinese. Just pick the power tubes you like.
Click to expand...

Thank you!
 
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