doylemich
8 posts
Sep 20, 2009
5:26 PM
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Trying to purchase a lower gain 12AY7 tube for my Champ. When I went on the tubedepot website and looked up the 12AY7, there were two choices: EH-12AY7 and NOS-12AY7...also, there are pull down tabs to select: std test included, hi-gain, matching, balanced triodes, matched-balanced triodes, and low noise and microphonics?????
Which one do I need to order? Whew!
Last Edited by on Sep 20, 2009 5:31 PM
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superchucker77
189 posts
Sep 20, 2009
6:53 PM
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Interestingly, I just replaced the pre-amp tube in my Fender Champ 600 with a 12AY7 tube from the same company. I recomend that you buy the EH-12AY7. I'm not sure about those other options, so I just bought the standard test option from the pull down list. After the swap, my amp does indeed sound better; with more bottom end and more control over the tone. The amps sonic capabilities seemed to open up quiet a lot.
Also, Tubedepot is a good company based in Memphis, which is where I live.
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Brandon Bailey
Superchucker77's Youtube
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isaacullah
346 posts
Sep 20, 2009
10:46 PM
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the EH tube is new,a nd will have been made by electroharmonix. These will be the cheapest. The ones marked NOS are New Old Stock (get it, NOS = New Old Stock?), and will have been made at some point in the old glory days of tube electronics, but supposedly have never been used. These will be more expensive, but are thought to sound "better" by aficionados, and to have more mojo in general. Those other choice are "custom" wishes you have, and will add to the tubes' price tag. I imagine that std test means they do a basic test on the tube to make sure it works (prob a good idea for NOS or used tubes), it seems like this is included in the base price (which is should be). hi-gain means they hand pick you out a tube with higher than normal gain characteristics, matching means they pick you out a set of two or more tubes with the exact same gain and other electical characteristics, balanced triodes means they pick you out a dual triode tube (all 10a_7 tubes are dual triodes, ie. they have TWO gain stages in ONE tube) where both haves are matched well. low noise means exactly that: a tube that they tested and found to not introduce extra graininess (static) to the signal. Microphonics are weird condition of tunes where they start to actually make sounds by themselves (weird howly noises).
You can also try www.tubesandmore.com They are based around the corner from me (literally), and are pretty good company.
Hope that helps,
~Isaac
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The magnificent YouTube channel of the internet user known as "isaacullah"
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walterharp
62 posts
Sep 21, 2009
6:18 AM
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I assume what you mean is a 12ay7 that is lower gain relative to the 12ax7 the amp comes with.
The pull down menus give a series of tests that they can do for you on the tubes. These are mainly for audiophiles, but could be of use (mainly the microphonics test, but I have never found a brand new tube to be microphonic, the manufacturer should take care of that test). Others are pointless for you, such as the matching test (would be useful for a stereo amp).
It is very difficult to predict which tubes will sound the best in your amp, so if you can buy a couple of cheaper ones, then swap them in and out and use what you like best to your ear, and keep the others around in case that one fails.
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bluedogg
17 posts
Sep 22, 2009
6:58 AM
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i have tried 12AY7's 12AT7's and 12AU7's
in my Pro Junior I run a 12AU7 in V1 and a 12AT7 in V2 and am very happy with the volume before feedback
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Bluzdude46
197 posts
Sep 23, 2009
6:38 AM
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With all due respect to Walter I disagree. You can find better quality tubes than EH for preamp tubes. I can't understand why anyone would choose a Fender amp over a low cost cookie cutter or buy a vintage amp or boutique amp and then try to save $10-$20 on cheaper chinese tubes. The NOS tubes Tube Depot carry are generally GE, JAN, Sylvania and have the standard testing done to make sure they still have good life. Tubes make a big difference in sound from TUBE amps. All of my amps the first modification I do is to remove the stock chinese tubes and replace them with better quality.
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MJ
50 posts
Sep 23, 2009
7:31 AM
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Bluzdude is correct in feeling that if you are going tp pop for a good amp, why go cheesy with the tubes to save a buck. However the EH tube is not a chinese cheapy, but is a good choice to try, maybe not RCA but still a good tube
"Electro Harmonix is another brand owned by the New Sensor Corporation and are manufactured at their Xpo-Pul factory (also known as Reflektor) in Saratov, Russia. New Sensor is an American corporation and since taking ownership of this factory has been steadily improving the quality of current production tubes. These tubes are all of new designs and are of excellent quality.
None of these tubes are available as Sovtek tubes - Electro-Harmonix tubes are only available under the EH name." this is a qote from the TubeStore.
Here is a link to an interesting and informative article regarding Re issue VS Vintage in Guitar Player magazine.
I use mostly NOS which I have collected over the yearsand have a suitcase full of various types and brands. I also have used EH tubes with good results, and have a number of them in my collection.
Last Edited by on Sep 23, 2009 8:23 AM
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Cisco
21 posts
Sep 23, 2009
8:00 AM
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I have had zero issues using the EH12AX7 in any of the amps I own or work on for other people. However I prefer the Tung Sol 12AX7 over the EH.
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Bluzdude46
198 posts
Sep 23, 2009
8:16 AM
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I stand suitably corrected, Thanks MJ. I prefer the Tung Sol tubes also. Not sure if they do a 12AY7, if so I haven't seen it. If left with those choices I think I would try the NOS route, I've heard good things about the Newer Mullard re-issues also
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MJ
52 posts
Sep 23, 2009
8:35 AM
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Tung Sol has made a 12AY7 they go for around $40. I have a couple of 12AD7 rare type tubes that I ran across, I have one I am using them in a couple of my amps, they are very low hum higher gain tubes. Like the 12AX7 but non microphonic. They were made for a short while by Sylvania. I like them .
Getting back to the thread question, Why not get one EH and one NOS. That way you will be able to judge if there is a difference and still have a backup tube in the deal. Neither is too expensive and it will make shipping worthwhile.
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