Speaking Of T00bs...

[Superlizard]

Has anyone here tried the (somewhat) new Mullard re-issue 12AX7/ECC83s and compared them
to an original Mullard?  How do they stack up?

 

[Jusatele]

http://thetubestore.com/mu12ax7.html

 

[mayfly]

Hmmm.  Didn't know that they re-issued it. Sadly I have not done the comparison, but I've got an original so I may just try that to see.

 

[Jusatele]

Looks like different architecture also, the review mentions a larger plate

but then, they slaim it does not matter  :icon_scratch:

 

[OzziePete]

Hmmm.  Didn't know that they re-issued it. Sadly I have not done the comparison, but I've got an original so I may just try that to see.

Q: Does that Axe Ultra have a 12AX7 in it's circuitry?

 

[Patrick from Davis]

I haven't tried the Mullard reissues, but from reading it sounds like folks like both the Mullards and Tung Sols reissues.  The Mullards were described as the warmer of the two.  I have had good luck with the Tung Sol reissues, so I'd have to try the Mullard reissues to see what they sound like in my toys to have a reasonable opinion.  But word on the street is they are pretty good.
Patrick

 

[OzziePete]

I haven't tried the Mullard reissues, but from reading it sounds like folks like both the Mullards and Tung Sols reissues.  The Mullards were described as the warmer of the two.  I have had good luck with the Tung Sol reissues, so I'd have to try the Mullard reissues to see what they sound like in my toys to have a reasonable opinion.  But word on the street is they are pretty good.
Patrick

That's good to hear. I have a Mesa Boogie Studio Preamp and the lead tone can be quite harsh as I don't futher colour the sound by using a power amp - I go DI into the PC with it via Mic Preamp. I changed the tubes (12AX7s) and it did make it sound a bit better, but I'm thinking I need to find some mellow warm 12AX7s to soften the tone on that circuit a bit.

 

[mayfly]

Hmmm.  Didn't know that they re-issued it. Sadly I have not done the comparison, but I've got an original so I may just try that to see.

Q: Does that Axe Ultra have a 12AX7 in it's circuitry?

Nope.  But I have, er, lots of tube equipment as well.

 

[OzziePete]

Hmmm.  Didn't know that they re-issued it. Sadly I have not done the comparison, but I've got an original so I may just try that to see.

Q: Does that Axe Ultra have a 12AX7 in it's circuitry?

Nope.  But I have, er, lots of tube equipment as well.

OK thanx for answering, was a bit surprised when you mentioned comparing the 12AX7s - my immediate thought was whether the Axe FX Ultra had a 12AX7 tube in it. I do know some modellers and sim amps do use the actual tube within their circuits & thought that might have  been the case. :icon_thumright:

 

[Superlizard]

I haven't tried the Mullard reissues, but from reading it sounds like folks like both the Mullards and Tung Sols reissues.  The Mullards were described as the warmer of the two.  I have had good luck with the Tung Sol reissues, so I'd have to try the Mullard reissues to see what they sound like in my toys to have a reasonable opinion.  But word on the street is they are pretty good.
Patrick

That's good to hear. I have a Mesa Boogie Studio Preamp and the lead tone can be quite harsh as I don't futher colour the sound by using a power amp - I go DI into the PC with it via Mic Preamp. I changed the tubes (12AX7s) and it did make it sound a bit better, but I'm thinking I need to find some mellow warm 12AX7s to soften the tone on that circuit a bit.

Mellow+warm describes the JJ ECC83.  It doesn't have the detail on the treble like some preamp
t00bs have, but this can be a positive if you have a harsh sounding or bright amp.

 

[OzziePete]

I haven't tried the Mullard reissues, but from reading it sounds like folks like both the Mullards and Tung Sols reissues.  The Mullards were described as the warmer of the two.  I have had good luck with the Tung Sol reissues, so I'd have to try the Mullard reissues to see what they sound like in my toys to have a reasonable opinion.  But word on the street is they are pretty good.
Patrick

That's good to hear. I have a Mesa Boogie Studio Preamp and the lead tone can be quite harsh as I don't futher colour the sound by using a power amp - I go DI into the PC with it via Mic Preamp. I changed the tubes (12AX7s) and it did make it sound a bit better, but I'm thinking I need to find some mellow warm 12AX7s to soften the tone on that circuit a bit.

Mellow+warm describes the JJ ECC83.  It doesn't have the detail on the treble like some preamp
t00bs have, but this can be a positive if you have a harsh sounding or bright amp.

Thanx for that SL, I'll look into those. There are so many types of 12AX7s and variants, that it makes a decision hard if you don't try them all! Less detail on treble would be OK for this preamp, it has plenty of that & the softness of the response might tone down the harshness as you say....I was even thinking of changing over to less powerful tubes like 12AT7 or 12AU7, but I wasn't sure if that would be kind to the circuit or not (or could be done on this Preamp).

 

[Patrick from Davis]

If you want less output from a 12AX7 analog, try a 5751.  It is described as between a 12AX7 and a 12AT7.  But as is part of the game with tubes, different brands have different outputs.  A little research will direct you towards one that is about what you are looking for.
Patrick

 

[OzziePete]

If you want less output from a 12AX7 analog, try a 5751.  It is described as between a 12AX7 and a 12AT7.  But as is part of the game with tubes, different brands have different outputs.  A little research will direct you towards one that is about what you are looking for.
Patrick

Thanx for the heads up!  :icon_thumright:

I have 3 ways of getting an amp sound into the PC recording system and the Preamp.>DI is just one. It does have a more metal sound to it, so it may be better to leave as is and use it FOR that harsh tone when I want that sort of tone. I have a combo amp (Evil Robot) that is Class A and can be very very clean and mellow or give me rock crunch ala, 1970s, or go through an Amp Sim  (Amplitube 3)program that has 000s of amp/box combos to dial up. I'll have to do some more work with the various guitars I have and see if the resultant tone from the Preamp is workable or needs toning down. First impressions on a Epi Casino with stock std. Korean P90s was that it was harsh, but now I have my Tele and Strat up and running I must try them and see what the result is...

 

[Cagey]

Just buy a Dumble...

[Source]

 

[Superlizard]

Well shucks... guess I'll have to be the one to forge ahead; they're not that much.

I still have a 12AX7/ECC83 shoot-out planned (did one 10 years ago but it's time to do again with better equip)
and these are intriguing enough to purchase.  I think Tung-Sol has been revived as well.  All in good time...

 

[Jusatele]

would love to hear the results Lizard, please do it