What is the preferred tube compliment for an ODS?

[RJ Guitars]

Hello all,

I am looking for the ideal tube selection for an ODS, specifically the preamp tubes of choice for a new ODS build. It's easy enough to guess that a compliment of NOS Mullard 12AX7's would probably work good but I'm more interested in what I can buy that is in production and available from a common vendor. Maybe a couple of you who are in the know could list your top few choices. From the one post I found I see that it isn't always the same preference for V1, V2, & V3. I'd be curious to hear a little discussion on that as well.

Then if it isn't too much to ask, throw in the info on your favorite output tubes as well. I know the votes are strong on the Winged-C 6L6GC's, but what else is good?

I fully expected to find the answer to this post in the archives, but I didn't score much when I searched. Below is the one link I did find on this topic, but there wasn't as much discussion as I might have expected on this topic. I won't mind if someone points me to an appropriate archive if this is old news.

https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.ph ... +12ax7+ods

Thanks

rj

[tele_player]

Brown Note has been shipping new Tung-Sol, EH, and JJ 12ax7 and ECC83 with their D'Lite kits - they work for me, and you can buy a whole bunch for the cost of a few NOS tubes.

[odourboy]

I've been happy with Tung Sol 12AX7 for V1 and V2. I believe Fuchs is shipping with these now as well.

There have been reports of premature failures of the Tung Sol in the PI position though, and although this is not 'statistically significant', I had one fail (go noisy) just the other day after just a few weeks of use.

[Bob-I]

I've been using mostly EH 12AX7's in V1 and V2 and Sovtek 12AX7LPS in V3. I haven't tried the TungSol yet but I've heard some and they sound great. For Dumblelator and parallel loops I've been using JAN Phillips 12AT7's.

For power tubes I've used JJ KT-77's, Winged C 6L6's, Sovtek 5881's and others. They all have their onw sound but right now I'm liking the KT-77's best.

[phsyconoodler]

I like EH12AX7's and JJ KT77's.The EH's are chimey and seem to have less microphonic ones than others.

[dave g]

I like EH12AX7's and JJ KT77's.The EH's are chimey and seem to have less microphonic ones than others.

Agreed - EH 12AX7s have been the least microphonic new production preamp tubes I've used lately. However, I must say that I prefer the sound of the new Tung-Sols to any other new production tube

[greiswig]

I actually like the JJ 803S...the one with the gold pins and long plates? It seems like a better tube than their stock ones, for sure. The GT Mullard reissue is also one I like. I'd like to try some of the Tung-Sols, but haven't got any.

As I mentioned elsewhere, changing a preamp tube can rather drastically effect the voltage on that plate: it may not matter, but I'm curious as to how much of what you hear when you change tubes is due to that change.

I can't decide whether I prefer 6L6's or KT77s...the latter seem to have more extension high and low, but also have a tendency to "punch" the attack of a note more, where the 6L6's seem to compress that more politely. Anybody try KT66s or 88s?

[massygt6]

I'm currently using TungSol for everything, preamp and power sections...
I'm really new to Dumble sound so I've got to make my ears trained, but for sure I can tell that on the clean channel this tubes sound absolutely perfect...no thin, no icepick, only a beautiful, full bodied and crisp sound...

[Funkalicousgroove]

I go back and forth between the short plate JJ and the new Mullard branded tube from New Sensor. If you can find them the beijing production chinese 12ax7 (NOT SHUGUANG) are FANTASTIC! and were found stock in alot of dumbles in the 90's.

[RJ Guitars]

You guys are great to share this info with us all... thanks very much.

It's a wealth of knowledge that you guys freely share.... if I ever do anything right I'll return the favor.

rj

[greiswig]

If you can find them the beijing production chinese 12ax7 (NOT SHUGUANG) are FANTASTIC! and were found stock in alot of dumbles in the 90's.

Wasn't Mesa using those during that same time frame?

[greiswig]

Again, anyone tried a KT-66 or KT-88 in their amp? I have a pair of KT-77s from JJ, and they sound a little "hard" compared to 6L6's. The 6L6s seem to compress the attack a bit more, which I actually like.

Also, what is the difference between the two TAD 6L6 bottles (WGC-STR versus GC-STR)...is it just the height of the tube?

[Fischerman]

Maybe it's just the particular tubes I have but the EH 12AX7 seems to have a weirdness to the bass (a little too much within a certain band). Although they perform great in every other regard; i.e. microphonics, gain, sustain/feedback. The Tung Sols I have sound more balanced and are good regarding microphonics but don't have quite the gain/sustain/feedback of the EH but it's REAL close. The long plate JJ ECC803S (not the typical short-plate JJ ECC83S) I have are more sparkley than any other tube I have but mine are WAY too microphonic. The JJ ECC83S is a bit dark (quite dark when compared to the ECC803S). The JJ ECC83S has something going in the mids that I'm not crazy about (I have about 10 NIB that I never use because I always seem to like something else better). I haven't tried my GT Mullard in it yet...I only have one left that's any good.

Right now I'm using an RFT in V1 and a Tung Sol in V2 with a Sovtek LPS in the PI...JJ KT77 power tubes. I'm not sure what I have in the FX loop slot...probably an EH but possibly an old Sylvania 12DW7.

[Structo]

Pardon me but what is a RFT?

[v00d00blues79]

Siemens I believe...


Andy