Best $30 I've spent in a while

[bobgoblin]

Last year I traded a Hwy 1 strat for a 1983 Fender Concert II, which unbeknownst to me, was a little 'sick'. After having the amp re-capped & re-power tubed (JJ's), it sounded great as long as the pre-amp gain was kept pretty low (under 4).

I've spent the last month or so reading posts by John Phillips, darkbluemurder, & others talking about the finer points of tuning these amps up. Today, I stopped by the shop & inquired about some lower gain 12a-type tubes. I ended up leaving w/some 12at7's (NOS JAN) & swapped out v1 & v2. I'm a very pleased to say that the amp is exhibiting some very different behavior & tone! Now, the gain is still a little buzzy, but it stays smooth(er) well up the dial now (up around 7 it really starts getting raspy & unusable). Next step, new speakers...

Anyway, I really just wanted to drop a word of thanks to all you guys who know so much about amps, tubes, speakers & the like. Its y'all that make this place something special.

[ruger9]

If you think the AT7 sounds good, put a 5751 in there... NOS preferred...about the same gain level as the AT7, but a MUCH better tone.

I've never been a fan of AT7's (nor has anyone I know) for their TONE. The lower gain level is cool, but the AT7 isn't what I'd call... "warm"...YMMV

[bobgoblin]

5751's huh? I might have to look into that after gigging these tubes a few times. Nothing like live auditions to help decide. Thanks for the tip.

[Senzu21]

I have a Fender Blues Deluxe with a 5751 in V1 and love it for the clean sound. When I tried it in V2 it tamed the gain a bit, but just did not sound good to me. This is only my experience, but for the gain sound I like a AX7 much more. However, I think I will buy some more 5751's & AX7's and try them in V2. The 5751 a bought was NOS JAN GE from '67. As with any tube brand to brand should be different, if only slightly. Amp to amp is a bigger difference.

So in the end, I guess I am telling you to try 5751's for yourself. KCA has the best selection that i have found.

[Clearspider]

Bobgoblin:
are you in the band?
cuz if you are, I've seen you live about ten times and we played with you last year at Fry St. Fair.

[bobgoblin]

haha, I get that a lot. No, I'm not in the band "bobgoblin"

my nickname came from a friend about 15 years ago, he's a big comic book / spiderman fan.

Are they any good? I figure I'd like to be associated with a GOOD band if I'm gonna be associated with them (by name)!

Thanks!

[brad347]

i've wondered that as well!

Bobgoblin's old drummer played on my CD.

[slowburn]

and I am not part of the band slowburn either. I gave myself that name before that band came out. rat bastards....

[iaresee]

Has anyone tried playing with the preamp tubes in a Rect-O-Verb (or a single rectifier)? I'm really curious to know if swapping out some of the 12AX7s for some lower gain alternatives like the AY7s or 5751s would take a little buzz off the red channel and maybe mellow out the green channel. For preamp tubes is always a drop in replacement? Or is some biasing required?

[hamfist]

For preamp tubes is always a drop in replacement? Or is some biasing required?

You are correct, just a drop-in replacement. No re-biasing needed.

[Blunder]

+1 on the 5751. I really dig those tubes.