[Shooter]

Hey. I need at least one replacement tube and had a couple questions.

First off, I blew a preamp tube in my Triple Recto and have to replace it, and I was wondering what the big advantage of using other-than-stock tubes is. Would it really sound better if I used something other than 12AX7's for the preamp tubes? Would EL34's really sound better than the 6l6s for the power tubes?

Second, has anybody heard of dougstubes.com? I was doing some research online and it seems like this guy knows what he's talking about, and he'll give you a free consultation on what kind of tubes to buy for your particular amp and musical style. I was just wondering if you guys thought he was any good.

So all in all, is the tonal difference really worth the cost of buying new power and preamp tubes, or should I just go ahead and swap the bad 12AX7 for a new one and call it a day?

[LordOVchaoS]

Dougs Tubes is where I buy all my tubes! Doug is a stand up guy and knows more about tubes than anyone I've ever come across. 12ax7s are what you want. Put a Tung Sol in V1, 9th gen chinese in V2, V3, and V4, and a balanced 12ax7 in V5. I like Sovtek 12ax7LPS in V5 personally.

EL34s may be better than 6L6s to your ears, it's all personal preference. I like 6L6s better in my rectos but YMMV. Either way you can't go wrong with SED tubes there!

Swapping for a good set of tubes is totally worth it!

[garcia3441]

Originally Posted by LordOVchaoS

Dougs Tubes is where I buy all my tubes! Doug is a stand up guy and knows more about tubes than anyone I've ever come across. 12ax7s are what you want. Put a Tung Sol in V1, 9th gen chinese in V2, V3, and V4, and a balanced 12ax7 in V5. I like Sovtek 12ax7LPS in V5 personally.

EL34s may be better than 6L6s to your ears, it's all personal preference. I like 6L6s better in my rectos but YMMV. Either way you can't go wrong with SED tubes there!

Swapping for a good set of tubes is totally worth it!

+1

[WarriorOfMetal]

i asked on harmony-central's amps forum where was the best place to get tubes and got an almost unanimous recommendation for Doug's Tubes

[noodles]

Originally Posted by LordOVchaoS

Dougs Tubes is where I buy all my tubes! Doug is a stand up guy and knows more about tubes than anyone I've ever come across. 12ax7s are what you want. Put a Tung Sol in V1, 9th gen chinese in V2, V3, and V4, and a balanced 12ax7 in V5. I like Sovtek 12ax7LPS in V5 personally.

EL34s may be better than 6L6s to your ears, it's all personal preference. I like 6L6s better in my rectos but YMMV. Either way you can't go wrong with SED tubes there!

Swapping for a good set of tubes is totally worth it!

Not really anything I can say bad about those choices, although I personally use a balanced JJ ECC83S for V5 in my amp.

Power tubes don't make as much of a difference as preamp tubes, but they definitely shape your overall sound. I'm really partial to the Mesa STR-440 branded Ruby 6L6GC power tubes. If your amp is old enough to have the STR-430's, then you'll be doing yourself a favor by upgrading. A lot of guys around here like the darker sound of JJ's 6L6GC

If you're really feeling like playing around, the JJ GZ-34 rectifier tubes are like the best of both worlds: warm recto crunch, but with the tight bottom end of diodes.

With the right combination of tubes, Triple Recs are absolutely brutal amps. That's why I make sure to stand on the OTHER side of the stage from one.

[ChrisPcritter]

I make it a gerneral rule to replace all preamp tubes at one time and all power tubes at one time. If I get JJ's I go to eurotubes, for the stuff doug carries I go to him. I know he carries jj's as well but bob has helped me do my own mods and such and has been completely on with the tubes I've gotten from him.

euro-n
Here's eurotubes mesa page which answers a lot of question. Make sure when you get the tubes that you tell whichever company you get them from, what they are for and what they recommend..

[Shooter]

Thanks guys! I'll be sure to check out Eurotubes, and I'll probably be dealing with Doug in the near future .