Grateful Dead Music Forum

I'm looking to replace the tubes in my SMS Classic JG.. Was wondering if the Tung Sol 12AX7 LOW GAIN would be ok:

"The Tung Sol 12AX7 is warm and big musically. Very consistently made tube. High gain, super low microphonics, and superb linearity with a three dimensional tone. For more clean headroom in your amp, order this tube with the low gain option at no extra cost.(Similar to a 5751 in gain). Avoid these in high voltage cathode follower (CF)spots."

I recommend that anyone wanting to replace their tubes in the Classic preamp to spend a little more and find some NOS (new old stock) or "used-tests-good" tubes. RCA's are great, GE's, Tungsram, Tung-Sol (vintage), Sylvania, Raytheon, etc. Tonally, I really prefer RCA in general. But the others are great and all of these will likely last nearly forever and will sound as good as they come. Do pay a little extra to have them tested for "low microphonics". You can't beat the old tubes. They don't make them like they used to.


Brad
www.sarnomusicsolutions.com
www.bluejadeaudio.com

A good NOS RCA short plate in V1 of that circuit is a solid investment. Great tone and long life.

I got an RCA 12AX7 17mm RIBBED BLACK PLATE D GETTER 99.7% MATCH PAIR. Date Code: 62.

Atk1 wrote:I got an RCA 12AX7 17mm RIBBED BLACK PLATE D GETTER 99.7% MATCH PAIR. Date Code: 62.

Tell us how they sound when you get a chance.

The same make of tube can sound different from each other. Just test anything in their, and something will stand out. It may be NOS, it may be cheap Chinese. It's a crap shoot. IMHO!

Funny thing is, those cheap Chinese tubes get some great reviews.

Yup. The shuguang ( spelling?), can sound beautiful in a preamp position. If I remember correctly, the version or generation 8 or 9 are highly regarded. Also, the Silver Special that Lord Valve touts as being amazing are of Chinese origin I believe?