New JJ vs old Tesla

rjgtr · Post by **rjgtr** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 7:09 pm

I was having a chuckle the other when I went to KCA and saw NOS Teslas. However, something interesting happened tonight. I was playing my DSL401 (which I've modded a little to clean up the signal path). It was sounding real bold, but a little dark, so I got curious.

I took out the old Tesla I had in there in V3 and replaced it with a JJ ECC83S. (I have 2 GT-12ax7Ms in V1 and V2 and a Ruby Chinese in V4, JJ EL84s). With the JJ ECC83S the gain was reduced and the mids were reduced too. It wasn't a bad sound, mind you - but a lot more mid scooped. So I took out another old Tesla I had and it sounded a lot like the other one, with just a touch more highs. Just great harmonics and sustain with the Tesla.

So of course I left the Tesla in. But I guess KCA has something there!

Also, I think the reputation of JJs being dark comes from the older Tesla tubes more than the JJs. Both sound real good, and are made very similarly, but there is a noticable difference in tone. Go figure.

thunder970 · Post by **thunder970** » Thu Nov 18, 2004 8:45 pm

rj, you didn't get burned out on those 12ax7m's? I have went back to one of my first experiments which is a telefunken in v1 and EH12ax7 in v2 and v3. I find that v1 is the tube that really makes the change. the others are not all that noticable to my ears. but v1, I like playing with that one...

rjgtr · Post by **rjgtr** » Fri Nov 19, 2004 1:04 pm

No I still really like the GT-12AX7-M for the way they distort and the clean is good too. I've tried some NOS American in V1, but they are a little too bright and Fendery for me. I haven't had the pleasure of a real Mullard in a long time, but I'm sure I'd like it too.

Hey, it's all about what works for you in the amps you're using. I also play Rivera amps and I really like the Chinese 12ax7s in them, but I find them a little harsh in some of my Marshalls.