Metropoulos Forum

Is it just me (it very well could be just me... LOL) but nobody really talks about the pre tubes that EVH used in his Marshall. Everybody knows about the Sylvania 6CA7s, but what about the preamp tubes? Did he just use whatever 12AX7s he could get his hands on? Any odd subsitutions, like a 5751 or something?

Weird... Got a notification that there was a reply from awangotango but there isn't anything here.

I don't know about EVH's tubes, but to me, nothing beats a Mullard.

Sylvania 12ax7 are great too, most powerful, but the mullard's management of the mid frecuencies is fantastic.

Carbia wrote:I don't know about EVH's tubes, but to me, nothing beats a Mullard.

Sylvania 12ax7 are great too, most powerful, but the mullard's management of the mid frecuencies is fantastic.

If we're talking about current day use rather than what Ed used back in the day...

Do you mean current Reflektor factory Mullards or vintage UK Mullards?

Vintage ones, of course.

The best sounding modern tube is the Tung Sol 12ax7... By far

Carbia wrote:Vintage ones, of course.

The best sounding modern tube is the Tung Sol 12ax7... By far

Just have to avoid using it in the cathode follower position since it can't handle the voltage differential placed on the tube between the heater and the cathode. They like to die there.



So, anybody else have any idea what Ed used, especially in the early days?

Actually, lots of discussion in different threads. Sylvania 12ax7wa are great as well as just regular Sylvania 12ax7.

Yeah, I think by most accounts, your'll find that Sylvania's were used for both his power tubes and preamp tubes. As for specifics, I would guess whatever Ed got his hands on. 12AX7, 12AX7WA's, etc.

there were many Vintage marshalls that were using Mullards and also Siemens tubes.

I use 2 Siemenes and one blue label GE in my amp,.... tried many combinations, many tubes, nos and new production. This was the best set by far.

rgorke wrote:Actually, lots of discussion in different threads. Sylvania 12ax7wa are great as well as just regular Sylvania 12ax7.

Yes, Sylvanias are very good tubes. My 2nd choice.

I hope to show you soon a test that me and two friends made, recording clips comparing different sets of tubes on a Fender blackface, a Marshall Super Lead and a Mesa Rectifier. All was done in a profesional studio using Royer mics, Neve preamps etc...
Of course, reamping the same clip trough each set of tubes.
And recording the amps LOUD, no attenuation, no masters... as it has to be

Another theory on the difference between album tones could be different tubes. I have noticed that having a hot tube in V1 and a hot tube in V2 dramatically changes the tone than having tubes that are not a "hot". And when I say "hot" I mean the 12ax7wa. In my experience, having one in V1 is good but having one in V2 is too much gain. So, once the spec and trannies work (see Ralle's threads), then the extra icing is the type and brand of tubes in the preamp.

rgorke wrote:Another theory on the difference between album tones could be different tubes. I have noticed that having a hot tube in V1 and a hot tube in V2 dramatically changes the tone than having tubes that are not a "hot". And when I say "hot" I mean the 12ax7wa. In my experience, having one in V1 is good but having one in V2 is too much gain. So, once the spec and trannies work (see Ralle's threads), then the extra icing is the type and brand of tubes in the preamp.

Not a theory, it is the truth. Did MANY testings like that, my blu label GE is WAY hotter (and brighter) than any other tube I've had. In V2 it sucked, but in V1 it tightens the tone a lot ina nice way, with a lot o gain and definition... a good phase inverter as well... the sound is clearer (more open maybe?). I droped JJ and sovtek preamp tubes forever after trying those NOS ones.... Siemens are also EXCELLENT ones, very well ballanced and strong.

fhn_lopes wrote:

rgorke wrote:Another theory on the difference between album tones could be different tubes. I have noticed that having a hot tube in V1 and a hot tube in V2 dramatically changes the tone than having tubes that are not a "hot". And when I say "hot" I mean the 12ax7wa. In my experience, having one in V1 is good but having one in V2 is too much gain. So, once the spec and trannies work (see Ralle's threads), then the extra icing is the type and brand of tubes in the preamp.

Not a theory, it is the truth. Did MANY testings like that, my blu label GE is WAY hotter (and brighter) than any other tube I've had. In V2 it sucked, but in V1 it tightens the tone a lot ina nice way, with a lot o gain and definition... a good phase inverter as well... the sound is clearer (more open maybe?). I droped JJ and sovtek preamp tubes forever after trying those NOS ones.... Siemens are also EXCELLENT ones, very well ballanced and strong.

I meant to articulate that the theory is what makes VH1 different from VH2 different from FW, etc. rather than a change in amp or spec or what have you....

GE labeled Mullards as well.

rgorke wrote:

fhn_lopes wrote:

rgorke wrote:Another theory on the difference between album tones could be different tubes. I have noticed that having a hot tube in V1 and a hot tube in V2 dramatically changes the tone than having tubes that are not a "hot". And when I say "hot" I mean the 12ax7wa. In my experience, having one in V1 is good but having one in V2 is too much gain. So, once the spec and trannies work (see Ralle's threads), then the extra icing is the type and brand of tubes in the preamp.

Not a theory, it is the truth. Did MANY testings like that, my blu label GE is WAY hotter (and brighter) than any other tube I've had. In V2 it sucked, but in V1 it tightens the tone a lot ina nice way, with a lot o gain and definition... a good phase inverter as well... the sound is clearer (more open maybe?). I droped JJ and sovtek preamp tubes forever after trying those NOS ones.... Siemens are also EXCELLENT ones, very well ballanced and strong.

I meant to articulate that the theory is what makes VH1 different from VH2 different from FW, etc. rather than a change in amp or spec or what have you....

GE labeled Mullards as well.

my bad Roger, bad english skills

I was just confirming that what you said is true and is barely discussed here even though it really affects the tone.

nice topic Ralle, thanks

(from another Topic & thread)

Carbia wrote:Less gain but more current. High current tubes are nice to drive the power amp, but if you do it in a Super Lead, you have to deal with less, and maybe not enough gain. In those "preamp gain" amps, doesn't matter.

Is there a way to tell the gain and current draw for preamp tubes ? The tester just indicates good or bad. Is there another way to test with tester, or can someone tell me how it should be used ?
Many here like a tame V3 or PI tube. Seems to smooth V1 whether it is a short or long plate.