Tung-Sol 12AX7 Tube
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- res13052501620283352499959
- res13052501620283352499959
- res13052501620283352499959
- res13052501620283352499959
- res13052501620283352499959
- res13052501620283352499959
- res13052501620283352499959
- res13052501620283352499959
- res13052501620283352499959
- res13052501620283352499959
- res13052501620283352499959
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res13052501620283352499959
- res13052501620283352499959
- res13052501620283352499959
The 12AX7 Tungsol has high gain, ultralow microphonics and superb linearity. The sound of this tube is full and musical.
Review Snapshot®
by PowerReviews(based on 67 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Good quality (6)
- Easy to use (5)
- Functional (5)
- Improves sound (5)
Cons
Best Uses
- Reviewer Profile:
- Experienced (7), Professional musician (4)
Most Liked Positive Review
Tung Sol 12ax7
One of the best for distortion/gain stages
Amp: B52 AT100...music: Speed Metal
All the reviews from various sights give clean channel, or a blues tone review...which does n...Read complete review
One of the best for distortion/gain stages
Amp: B52 AT100...music: Speed Metal
All the reviews from various sights give clean channel, or a blues tone review...which does nothing for us metal guys.
I bought Tung-Sol, Electro Harmonix, Sovtek LPS, Sovtek WA & B, and compared them to some Chinese made tubes, including the factory Chinese that came in the amp from the factory.
The Electro Harmonix produced the best warm, glassy tones..so it stays in the clean stage.
The Tung Sol's produced the best distortion (saturation & crunch) and also seemed to have the most gain.
I used had Tung Sol in all the preamp sockets (except the reverb driver) back in 2007...they lasted untill winter of 2011 at about 8hrs/week playing.
I replaced them all with the Sovtek LPS and they sounded good, but the Sovtek LPS CAN NOT HANDLE THE HIGH VOLTAGES OF THE GAIN STAGES; they work fine for clean, overdrive and other applications, but burning up both gain stages in 6 months at 8hrs/week? other sites have reported similar results.
the Chinese 12AX7's tested were branded by: Marshall, Peavy, TNT, and JJ, all of them to my ears, had less gain and sounded "fuzzy", compared to EH, SovtekLPS or the Tung Sol's.
The standard Sovteks were ok, but were a little noisier (meaning the amp hum was noticeably louder). These will always make good back up tubes if ever needed, but they wont be my first preference.
For preventative measures I also tried the JJ rectifier tube 5AR4....don't bother....the no-name Chinese one in my amp after 7 years still sounds "tighter". That tube is a turd.
The power tubes (Sovtek 5881) were replaced with Electro-Harmonix 6L6 set about medium/cool bias. This didn't noticeably affect the tone of the amp; but the EH I chose are capable of handling the near 500 VDC this head produces, not that the 5881's couldn't.
Held up pretty fair the first time...
One of the Best Values...
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Not suitable for cathode following, high end too hi-fi for gain.
Overrated and overhyped, more New Sensor brand names on some old New Reflektor (Sovtek) products. These tubes are not "bad" but I generally put them in amps I'm about to se...Read complete review
Overrated and overhyped, more New Sensor brand names on some old New Reflektor (Sovtek) products. These tubes are not "bad" but I generally put them in amps I'm about to sell
Dying in Cathode-following? Are you kidding me? This is like selling fishing line for casting only, but no actual fish catching.
Not suitable for classic Marshalls, ok for some Fender
Reliability: I would have liked to rate this a zero because half of the 12ax7 died after six weeks of casual use in JCM800 2203 in V2, the other half of the tube is still running strong. I tested the tube in my calibrated mutual conductance tester and it tested zero!!! as in dead, fried. I had read on a few forums that these tubes were prone to failure in Marshall (cathode follower) but thought I would run the experiment myself and found the rumours true 100% of the time. These tubes are probably ok for Fenders, I 've had one in a Blues Jr. for about a year with no problems.
Tone: it's ok, feels like any other Russian tube. It has some attack clarity that is nice; sounds best to me in my '68 Twin Reverb and elsewhere (68 Super Rev, '82 2203, '80 2204, '69 YGM-1) it was meh. Overall, it is my impression that this tube belongs in the pile of all the other Russian preamp tubes (buzzy under drive, weak bass, prone to microphonics, can be fragile and inexpensive). This tube should only be used in V2 or V3 in Fender Blackface designs, you might like it...
Reviews
Reviewed by 67 customers
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Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Tung-Sol 12AX7 Tube:
If you're a NOS tube snob that does'nt mind spending ridiculous amounts of cash so you can say you have NOS tubes, you're gonna hate these. But if you're looking for an excellent current production preamp tube and want great tone and awesome gain, you can't go wrong with these. I play Hard rock, metal and "shred" style music.
I have 4 of these Tung-Sol's in my Peavey 6505 plus (V1 and gain stages) replacing the JJ's that were in it and was immediately greeted with improved gain, punch and BIG tone. We all hear tone differently and to me, these are one of the best current production tubes out there if not THE best in this price range. I had gotten used to the tone and gain of the JJ's and did'nt realize how weak and anemic sounding they were. After I played the Tung-Sols for about a week, I put the JJ's back in just to satisy my curiosity and MAN are they weak. Keeping them for backup though because I'm waiting to see about the reliability of these Tung-Sols. I hope they last because the tone and gain RULES!
I tried one in just the V1 and was happy with the improvement. After that, I put in 3 more in the gain stages and tone stack (my Phase inverter and effects loop tubes are balanced Pentas) and was blown away by them. But as the saying goes, to each his own.
Pros
- Improves Sound
Cons
Best Uses
- Practicing
Comments about Tung-Sol 12AX7 Tube:
great tube
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Functional
- Good Quality
- Great For Modern Tones
- Improves Sound
Cons
Best Uses
- Amps Requiring Upper Mids
Comments about Tung-Sol 12AX7 Tube:
I like this tube. Despite the fact that it's made by sovtek. This little guy works great in newer amps that have cascading gain stages and is nice and quiet. MF decided to let it roll around in the box with a couple of speakers though so watch what you order it with! Overall, pretty decent tone in a modern tube.
Pros
- Good Quality
- Improves Sound
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Tung-Sol 12AX7 Tube:
These tubes replaced stock in a Fender Excelsior and an old Super Champ XD, together with Tung-sol 6V6GTs. What a difference! Warmth, smooth break-up, powerful yet clearly articulated bass notes, bell-like trebles, low noise and no pops. What more could you ask for?
Pros
- Good Quality
- Improves Sound
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Tung-Sol 12AX7 Tube:
I have used these preamp tubes in many amps. Best suited for V1 position. They are on the bright side, but not harsh. Tight and punchy bass. Sound great in clean amps (Fender Twin, Blues Jr, etc).
These can brighten up a darker amp and tighten the low end in high gain amps. Low microphonics with plenty of gain
PLEASE NOTE: Do not use these in Cathode Follower Positions in your amp. If you don't know, look it up. The tubes wont last long in those positions.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Tung-Sol 12AX7 Tube:
Changed out my old tubes, and wow!!! I didn't realize how bad my old tubes were! These tubes are clean with no microphonics. They sound great!!!!
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Tung-Sol 12AX7 Tube:
I bought this to test against some NOS Sylvanias that I had. I used it for a day but took it out of the V1 slot. Instead I used a pair of these in my LPB2UBE and they blew away the standard Ruby tubes. I haven't run them against my multi meter but I am guessing they have better mA current than the Rubys so provide more overdrive.
The sound quality is pretty all around great, just not as quite as some NOS tubes. But really pretty fine. I would buy them again.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Functional
- Good Quality
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Tung-Sol 12AX7 Tube:
Replaced it in a Vox Valvetronix and it sounded better than new. Side note: the old tube had a paper bar scan sticker on it - a brown and burnt one - not cool - literally!
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy To Use
- Functional
- Good Quality
Cons
- Not Made By Us Labor
Best Uses
- Pre Amp Tube Fender Amp
- Runs My Fender Guitar Amp
Comments about Tung-Sol 12AX7 Tube:
The 12ax7 is an affordable pre amp tube that I used to replace a burned out tube in my Fender Blues Jr. The amp sounds like new. I don't see a reason to use over priced, boutique tubes. If we are competent players we will sound good without the over priced stuff.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Functional
- Good Quality
- Improves Sound
Cons
Best Uses
- Concerts
Comments about Tung-Sol 12AX7 Tube:
I got this tube to try in the most important preamp slot (V1) of my Vox AC15C1. Very pleased with all areas of tone; full lows, smooth mids, bright/clear highs, and not harsh. Well made tube which is very articulate and musical sounding. Sounds great clean and overdriven!
