JJ 12AX7S Vs. GT12AX7M

Country Boy Shane · Post by **Country Boy Shane** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 2:14 am

Okay guys. I've obviously been a devoted JJ user, but the old brain of mine is wondering exactly what the difference is between these two pre-amp tubes. I'd like to know if any of you d00d's have ever compared the sound of the JJ12AX7S pre-amp tube with the new GT12AX7M. I've heard that the new GT's have more of a flat EQ response with a bit more gain. But who knows. Maybe one of you guys do?

Thanks a lot!

Country Boy Shane · Post by **Country Boy Shane** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 1:03 pm

...BUMP BUMP BUMP!

Post by **VelvetGeorge** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 1:45 pm

I'd say that the flatter EQ is correct. But I don't find them to have more gain than the JJ's. Maybe even a little less.

George

Country Boy Shane · Post by **Country Boy Shane** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 2:21 pm

Ok cool. Now i am officially clarified!

rjgtr · Post by **rjgtr** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 4:30 pm

I find the GT-12AX7Ms are more consistant gain-wise from tube to tube than the JJ. Some JJ's have more or less gain than others. I also find the JJ's sound a little darker overall than the GT. But the brightness of the GT is not shrill. I like the sound of the GTs, but in a later 800 or 900, the JJ might tame the brightness better.

But since they're preamp tubes, you can certainly mix and match them for your own optimal tone.

I've gone to using mostly GTs in everything I gig with. I like them that much.

gnugear · Post by **gnugear** » Tue Aug 31, 2004 6:45 pm

I just ordered a couple of the GT mullards from George so I'll let you know how they compare to the JJs.

Maybe I should make a clip!

Dax-The-Ax · Post by **Dax-The-Ax** » Tue Aug 31, 2004 9:36 pm

Going out to the garage now to fire up the 76' Lead with fresh JJ E34L's and GT-12AX7Ms. I'll let you all know what i think here shortly.

Dax-The-Ax · Post by **Dax-The-Ax** » Tue Aug 31, 2004 10:26 pm

I feel that the GT's sound good, but have alot of gain compared to the JJ's. They are quiet and very musical, though. I like them but don't think i'll spend $22.00 a tube the next time. I really liked my EH 12AX7's.

Country Boy Shane · Post by **Country Boy Shane** » Tue Aug 31, 2004 10:35 pm

Something tells me that i'm gonna be sticking with my JJ12AX7S tubes. I just love the way they sound. I like all the bawlz I can get! And now for something totally not related to pre-amp tubes, i've been thinking about replacing my BurstBucker Pro Les Paul pickups, with some new Duncan Antiquity PAF's. What do ya think about this guys? I heard some great responses about these pickups on www.legendarytones.com. Now if i can get some money for those and also enough to refret with 6100 wire... hmm.........

gnugear · Post by **gnugear** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 1:01 pm

I'd look at the Voodoo '59s too. I think George has one and I've never heard of anyone NOT liking it.

Post by **VelvetGeorge** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 2:40 pm

The Voodoo's are great. I have no problem highly recommending them.

That said, my favorite pickups are a set of Gibsons from a '69 SG that I picked up on Ebay. I got the pair for $300. That's about what you'll pay for a set of hand wound PAF replicas.

George

gnugear · Post by **gnugear** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 3:16 pm

Do the Voodoos have that "hollow" sound that you were looking for?

Post by **VelvetGeorge** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 4:04 pm

To some degree, but they don't have quite as much "quack" as the real PAF's.

George

Country Boy Shane · Post by **Country Boy Shane** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 5:13 pm

gnugear wrote:Do the Voodoos have that "hollow" sound that you were looking for?

What the heck is a "hollow" sound?

OnTheFritz · Post by **OnTheFritz** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 5:52 pm

CBS (or anybody else),
If you're interested, I've got a Duncan "SH-1bridge The '59" sitting around doing nothing.
Guess I should list it in the classifieds.

Fritz