Picking preamp tubes

[AKA Ninja]

I need to re-tube my AT-100 (it's only been six months - not sure how I feel about this), and I'm not sure what brand of preamp tubes to get. I'm torn between the Tungsol 12AX7, and the JJ Electronics 12AX7. My friend who builds Titan uses JJ (I think), and he gets awesome results. But I've always heard that Tungsol was a great high gain tube.

Opinions? Does anyone have any experience with the frequency response of either of these - do either of them have more midrange response than the others?

[Mushroony]

It's a matter of taste. JJ's ound a little darker as tung sol's have a nice sparkle. Or was it vice versa? Either way, preamp tubes aren't that expensive, maybe you could buy both, try them out, and sell the ones you don't need?

[GPW]

 This may help .... http://thetubestore.com/12ax7review.html

[AKA Ninja]

This may help .... http://thetubestore.com/12ax7review.html

Yeah I saw that. I was gonna get some Golden Lion tubes after reading that, but then I saw the price of those tubes. 

[GPW]

  You know , Preamp tubes should last for many years ....   I use JJs , cause they're pretty tough ...  Tried more expensive ones ( have 3 Telefunken) ... not THAT much difference really ... very subtle , despite what the tube places report ..  I think they're just trying to sell expensive tubes to the cork sniffers...

   I really Love the Russian 6N2P-EV @ 2.00USD , but it's not a drop in swap for a 12AX7... requiring a filament re-wire... Military tube rated at 5K hours...  Sweet sound ... Tough like Bear !!!!   

[Guitarslinger32]

you guys ever hear of this tube ..http://thetubestore.com/treasure1.html i wonder how good it is for 300$

[GPW]

  That's just Ridiculous !!!     Something for the "Audiofools "...

[Guitarslinger32]

lol my bad its for a matched pair, but even for a matched pair of tubes meaning its  150 for one that still is pretty ridic.

[GPW]

  GS, probably you and I couldn't hear the difference in sounds either ... 

[Franky G-String]

My question is, where are you gonna get the power tubes from?  I ask because the last time I bought power tubes it took three sets to get some that actually worked.  No really, I took the tubes and the amp to a tube guy and he put them on the meter which failed.  First set was Groove and the next was Ruby (Peavey branded) and one or more tubes were useless in each quartet.  I then ordered some Winged "C" tubes and can't be happier.

I've heard nothing but good things about JJ tubes if that's what you're leaning towards.  My personal experience with EH pre tubes has been excellent and Mesa branded tubes are nice as well...at least Mesa supposedly checks them out before they leave.  

[AKA Ninja]

My question is, where are you gonna get the power tubes from?  I ask because the last time I bought power tubes it took three sets to get some that actually worked.  No really, I took the tubes and the amp to a tube guy and he put them on the meter which failed.  First set was Groove and the next was Ruby (Peavey branded) and one or more tubes were useless in each quartet.  I then ordered some Winged "C" tubes and can't be happier.

I've heard nothing but good things about JJ tubes if that's what you're leaning towards.  My personal experience with EH pre tubes has been excellent and Mesa branded tubes are nice as well...at least Mesa supposedly checks them out before they leave.  

I don't need pre-amp tubes yet (and I'm honestly tinkering with the idea of having my amp buddy re-bias my amp for EL84s, and trying that instead of the 6L6s in it now).

I'm thinking JJ is definitely gonna be the way to go ... universally good reviews. Either that or Tungsol. Will depend on which I can find at the time. (If my new job comes through, I'll have enough to buy both! yet another downside to big tube amps, gotta buy tubes in sets of 5 and 6.)

[GPW]

  I've been buying my tubes from AES ... if they don't work , I send them back ... simple !!! 

 Re-bias for EL84 s ??   , you'll need new 9 pin sockets for EL84s ... Did you mean EL 34s ?  That's possible ... but you'll have to ground pin 1 on the tube socket ...   and possibly change the OT output Impedance  (change taps )... Suggest you get a tech to do it if unsure ... it will require the amp to be "live" for the re-bias .... dangerous work for the uninitiated ... 

[AKA Ninja]

  I've been buying my tubes from AES ... if they don't work , I send them back ... simple !!! 

 Re-bias for EL84 s ??   , you'll need new 9 pin sockets for EL84s ... Did you mean EL 34s ?  That's possible ... but you'll have to ground pin 1 on the tube socket ...   and possibly change the OT output Impedance  (change taps )... Suggest you get a tech to do it if unsure ... it will require the amp to be "live" for the re-bias .... dangerous work for the uninitiated ... 

Yeah, sorry, EL34 ... derp! It's something I've been toying with to make the amp more british sounding. And my buddy is a tech (he builds amps), so he's the one I'd talk to about it. I'm not about to go herp-derping around inside my amp without guidance

[GPW]

   Maybe you just need a British distortion 3SB    ...  Check this out ... http://www.wattkins.com/node/16888