Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum
Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: jeff on April 26, 2011, 08:27:41 pm
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I'm thinking about getting a 12AY7 to try it out, but there a little more expencive than a 12AX7 and I'm wondering if it's worth it. Seems like a 12AX7 is more bang for the buck. Now, I know there is a difference in gain between these tubes, but is there much of a difference in sound when used as V1? You get less gain from a 12AY7 but couldn't you just turn down a 12AX7. I could see how a different tube would make a big difference in a later stage, when you start pushing it around, but if it's used as the first tube isn't the guitar's signal pretty small and with small signals isn't a tube more linear? It's only when you push it that the curves really start to bunch up? That's when I'd imagine a more noticable difference between tubes would be heard.
In V1 is a 12AX7, a 12AY7 that goes to 11, or is there more of a tonal, or EQ(treb,mid,bass), difference between a 12AY7 and a 12AX7?
Never tried one so I don't know. Wadda you think? Worth the extra $$$?
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If you like messing around with tubes you should have one of them aand some of these too... 5751, 12AT7, 12AU7 and even a 12DW7. Each will give an amp a new flavor.
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The 12AY7 is a very musical and sweet sounding tube, IMO. I also like the 12AV7 alot. It's not just the gain factor, there is a tonal factor also.
For example not all 12AX7's sound the same. Correct?
with respect, Tubenit
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worth it? that's up to your taste to decide. try it? definitely.
--DL
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Thanks, I think I'll go for it. It's worth a couple extra bucks in the name of experimentation.
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YES!
I've been putting them in lots of amps lately. I originally found a pair of NOS to try first, then I tried the Electro-Harmonix ones, and I'm totally satisfied with the new production.
j.
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I have used the EH12AY7 in the V1 slot in 1/2 a dozen amps. Favourite V1 tube for blues geetar amps. EH does a pretty decent specimen for a current production tube. Worth the extra that you pay for it. (Maybe if we all bought enough of them the price would come down). I keep a couple of spare ones in my stash.
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I have bunch of the tubes mentioned i cant seem to say no to the bid button. :l2: and I have really come to love the 12 ay7 and when i want a clean bluesy type amp I have 2 in my blues miester amp v1 v2 and really love the musicality of that tube if you can call that a word, since tubnit has used one ive tried my 12 av7 in a couple of spots always ended up back to a 12ay7 for some reason. experimentation with differant tubes is a blast.
man its late I need to go to bed I talk to much when Im tired. thank guys by
Bill
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If you like messing around with tubes you should have one of them aand some of these too... 5751, 12AT7, 12AU7 and even a 12DW7. Each will give an amp a new flavor.
I'll second that emotion. Once you've got your amp built, you have to roll some different tubes in it. 12AY7 is my favorite preamp tube but I always try a U, X, V, T and a 5751, in each socket, before finally settling. Don't have any DWs tho....
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The 12dw7 are interesting if im not mistaken ax on one side and au on the other.
Thanks Bill
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The 12dw7 are interesting if im not mistaken ax on one side and au on the other.
Thanks Bill
Yes.
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If you ever build/buy a "Tweed" type amp, you are really going to want that AY7.
Best
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Yes, I think there -- all -- worth it!
I'm a carpenter and I have, oh, at least 10 different hammers, huh, and I'm still bend'in nails instead of sink'in them. :laugh:
Point being, different tool for different job.
Brad :icon_biggrin:
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I love my 22 oz. framing hammer! :laugh:
Good example. Replace both preamp tubes in a Hot Rod deluxe with some lower gain tubes. You can set it up so the distortion channel is clean... And really tubey sounding.
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I really like 12AY7 in tweed types. In AB763 it also gives greater expression, IMHO. Actually, I can say AY is my favorite tube for lowgain amps. Once I retubed a 2203 with V1 being 12AY7, since it's owner wanted the amp to be 'more bluesier'.. very nice sounding amp for blues. My own plexi+Hotswitch runs TungSol-12AY7 and I love it for a blues/crunch typ-o-rock :guitar1
Best Regards
Rzenc
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Instead of a hammer I was thinking of a 12AX7 as a 3/4" adjustable wrench and a 12AY7 as a 1/2". Up until 1/2' bolts either one will do the job, but if you want to tighten a 5/8'....
I need to do less thinking and more trying. I'll get a couple and experiment.
Thanks for the advise.
Jeff
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I seem to usually compare electricity w/ water analogies so I'll use this one. Think of a lawn sprinkler w/ a nice even 15 foot fan spray pattern as being a 12AX7 and the water being "the flood" of electrons carrying your signal along to the plate (grass). Now w/ a 12AY7 you have the same 15 foot distance but instead the water is coming out in a finger spray pattern. There's less electrons carrying your signal but it's still giving you plenty of "distribution uniformity" over the same area but w/ a little better control.