Procter2812

Hey...

Been looking around for the best pre-amp valves and found that tung-sol and the new sensor mullard are supposed to be the best???

I was thinking V1=Tung-Sol, V2=Tung-Sol, V3=Mullard

Is this a good combination.. or am i best sticking to one brand all through my amp?

Alex

MartyStrat54

There is nothing wrong with mixing preamp tubes. Me and my gang we do it all the time, except we mainly roll New Old Stock American preamp tubes like RCA, GE and Sylvania. However, I do use current production tubes as well and have the following to offer.

I prefer the Tung-Sol's in combos because they have short plates and are less prone to microphonics (which is a big problem in combos). The sound of the Tung-Sol is smooth, not harsh like a Sovtek WA or WB.

The Mullards have long plates and I only recommend them for heads. These tubes have a nice overall sound and are great sounding in the DSL and TSL heads.

For more on tube rolling you can go to:

Preamp Tubes? - Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How?

We've been at this for a while. You may at some point want to step up to New Old Stock (NOS) tubes. The right combo can make your amp sound downright delicious.

Marty

__________________
MARTY

2009 Gibson Explorer-Hell Raising Machine
1989 Fender Strat Plus USA
2008 Fender Tele USA
2004 Schecter Elite w/DiMarzio's

TSL100 with custom 4x12 cab. TSL122 with Man 'O War Speakers.
TSL602 #1 with JBL D123 Speakers and 602 #2 with Altec 417 Speakers. "Oh so sweet my friends."
DSL401 #1 with Red Fang Speaker and 401 #2 with JBL D123 Speaker.

Tubes: Let's just say they are NOS that kick ass.

mc_guitar

Hello,

I would not recommend the current production charges of Tungsols for the V2 Position, because they have an increased failure rate in the cathode follower stages because of the higher potential differences between Cathode and filament. I would recommend JJECC83S for the V2.

Cheers Michael

PaoloJM

Yup, I measured 132Vdc on the DC Cathode follower cathode the other day. The heater is at a ground referenced 6.3Vac.
It's not a huge job to have the heater reference elevated to a DC reference of 40-70Vdc which both reduces hum and allows you to use any 12AX7 in any position.

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www.youtube.com/paolojm

MartyStrat54

This is something that came up in a different thread. New production 12AX7's are usually running at or over their rated plate voltage. Have you ever seen any specifications on any of the new tubes? I haven't. That's why I like NOS tubes. They were designed better and they "sound" better. I'll argue that all day. I just help several members find their ultimate sound and the only mod was some superior 12AX7 tubes. A lot of people complain they are high priced. 90 per cent of the time I win tubes on EBAY that are cheaper than the price of a current production tube. (Well, maybe not as cheap as a JJ, lol.)

The info you posted is just another reason that I will stick with NOS.

Marty

__________________
MARTY

2009 Gibson Explorer-Hell Raising Machine
1989 Fender Strat Plus USA
2008 Fender Tele USA
2004 Schecter Elite w/DiMarzio's

TSL100 with custom 4x12 cab. TSL122 with Man 'O War Speakers.
TSL602 #1 with JBL D123 Speakers and 602 #2 with Altec 417 Speakers. "Oh so sweet my friends."
DSL401 #1 with Red Fang Speaker and 401 #2 with JBL D123 Speaker.

Tubes: Let's just say they are NOS that kick ass.