|
Post by jaked on Feb 14, 2013 15:02:28 GMT -5
I'm going to try changing pre-amp tubes in my Fender Excelsior.
They come with cheapo Chinese made 12ax7 pre-amp tubes.
I'm going to upgrade to a set of JJ's.
So if you are new to modding amps, like I am, feel free to learn right along side of me.
I will let you know if I can hear any differences.
Enjoy!
|
|
|
Post by saguitar on Feb 14, 2013 20:00:27 GMT -5
Jake, you can also sub an ECC83 or a 7025 for a 12AX7.
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Feb 14, 2013 20:12:38 GMT -5
Jake, you can also sub an ECC83 or a 7025 for a 12AX7. If you want the Fender to sound like a Marshalll? ;D
|
|
|
Post by jaked on Feb 15, 2013 11:43:18 GMT -5
I didn't know that Stan. Nor did I know that would kind of tone that might produce. I have that Marshall Class 5 to cover that territory. It starts to break up at like 11 o'clock on the volume knob. I want the Fender to have a little more headroom. BUT, the fun of messing around with tubes is the experimenting. I kind of like being a total novice in these matters. So much to learn.
|
|
|
Post by saguitar on Feb 16, 2013 11:39:29 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by saguitar on Feb 16, 2013 11:41:48 GMT -5
Jake, you can also sub an ECC83 or a 7025 for a 12AX7. If you want the Fender to sound like a Marshalll? ;D Well, the way I heard it, an ECC83 is basically the tube as our 12AX7. It's just that in Europe, they call it an ECC83 and here in the States it is a 12AX7. I could be wrong, but that is what I've been told.
|
|
|
Post by jaked on Feb 18, 2013 10:47:57 GMT -5
Well, you beat me to it. When I got the shipment this weekend, I opened up the box and the little JJ's tube boxes said "ECC83" on the end. Remembering your post, I thought, "What the what?" So I looked at the invoice and it read "ECC83/12ax7". So I shrugged and installed the new tubes. Everything worked normally when I turned it on and I'm pleased with how it is performing.
Now for the subjective: It's louder, at least I think it seems like even at 9 o'clock on the volume knob, the Excelsior is more than bedroom loud. You turn it up to 12 o'clock and it starts to break up and overdrive.
It also doesn't sound as muddy on the "Dark" tone setting. The "Dark" setting seems more usable. Switch it over to the Bright tone setting and I can see how this could really cut through a mix. The Bright setting seemed unusable before and too shrill and ice pickey. Now it is usable and more balanced in tone.
On the dark setting, it does sound a lot like the Marshall Class 5 at similar valumes levels and the Tremolo turned off. On the bright setting is where it distinguishes itself from the Marshall. But honestly, I don't know if I would just the Bright setting unless I was in an open jam and trying to cut through the bass and drums. This is a good upgrade.
|
|
|
Post by jaked on Feb 18, 2013 10:54:39 GMT -5
Stan, there is a ton of good information on that website you linked to. Way more information than I was able to find on the Amplified Parts website.
You can drop some serious coin on tubes, it looks like.
|
|
|
Post by razzgospel on Mar 26, 2013 7:48:42 GMT -5
This is the kind of information I'm looking for. I'm ordering a Fender Excelsior Pro today. I'm wondering if the tube you replace the originals with isn't dpendent on the kind of sound you want. I'm going to print this page (or pages) as reference. There are tubes recommended by buyers who posted reviews on amazon.com, too.
Thanks for posting all this stuff. I'm not experienced in doing any electronic work. I haven't seen the amp yet, but I go back to tube radio, fellas. They were easy to replace. :-)
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Mar 26, 2013 8:03:22 GMT -5
Jerry, this point has been argued for the past 70 years I know. first of all, the tubes have to be interchangeable - 12AX7 / ECC83 / 7025. The 12AX7 was originally manufactured by RCA (USA Tube) and was used in Fender amps for example. The ECC83 was made by a British company and used in Marshall amps. Supposedly the 7025 is a hand selected 12AX7 but this is open to debate. If you ask a repair person today, they will tell you these are all made offshore (China, Russia, etc.) and they even mark the new tubes 12AX7/7025/ECC83.
|
|
|
Post by razzgospel on Mar 26, 2013 10:11:15 GMT -5
Someone posted the tubes they exchanged with the originals on one of the reviews for the Excelsior. I'll check it out and post it on here. They were very happy with them.
|
|