Are you looking for the Best Guitar Amp Tubes? If so, you’ve come to the right place.
Choosing the Best Guitar Amp Tubes can be difficult as there are so many considerations, such as Amperex, Svetlana, Marshall, RCA, Electro-Harmonix, MESA/Boogie, TubeDepot. We have done a lot of research to find the top 20 Best Guitar Amp Tubes available.
The average cost is $74.89. Sold comparable range in price from a low of $18.95 to a high of $305.76.
Based on the research we did, we think Tung-Sol 6L6 Str Power Tube is the best overall. Read on for the rest of the great options and our buying guide, where you can find all the information you need to know before making an informed purchase.
20 Best Guitar Amp Tubes (20 Sellers)
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$38.99
4.9
Features:
- Make sure this fits by entering your model number.
- For you: 1x tung-sol 6l6gc str poweramp tube – single.
- Your use: the ultimate in musical tone and smooth overdrive.
$40.75
4.6
Features:
- Tung sol 5751 dual triode preamp tube.
- Made in russia.
- Nos specs call the 5751 a special 12ax7 having a high-mu amplification factor of 70.
Reviewers Noted:
Durable . Easy to put on/take off . Slimness . Doesn’t show dirt . Resists discoloration
Features:
- Continues with the new line of tesla tubes
- Matched triodes and pairs
- Low noise screening
$75.00
4.8
Features:
- The 6l6 str-443 power tubes provide a great classic, vintage 6l6 voice.
- These nicely balanced tubes offer a deep low end, controlled and tailored low-mids with a pleasing sparkle and chime on the top-end.
- Stock in: fillmore 50, fillmore 100, jp-2c, stereo 2:50 & simul-class 2:90 country of.
$27.95
4.6
Features:
- Extra low microphonic, highest linearity.
- Factory selected for closest tolerances and most consistent performance.
- Single tube.
$26.00
4.8
Features:
- Large sound stage with excellent detail.
- Factory selected for low noise and lowest microphonic.
- Single tube.
Features:
- Re-issue of the original tung-sol, built to the same “special tube request” specs of leading amplifier manufacturers of the 1960s.
- Rugged and reliable power tube for use in the most demanding guitar amplifier circuits.
- Platinum pair (2 tubes), computer-matched by manufacturer on proprietary equipment.
Reviewers Noted:
Durable . Easy to put on/take off . Slimness . Doesn’t show dirt . Resists discoloration
Features:
- Vox ac30 tube set – jj tubes (el84 x4, 12ax7 x3).
- Tubes are jj brand.
- Power tubes are apex matched.
Reviewers Noted:
Durable . Easy to put on/take off . Slimness . Doesn’t show dirt . Resists discoloration
Features:
- Ideal for use on vox amplifiers ac30 and fender pro junior.
- Matched pair to give a better sound and performance to your amplifier!
- Before sending the vacuum tubes, they are tested with an orange valve tester vt-1000 tester!
Features:
- Performance which surpasses nos original in all areas. big, warm and very musical. superb linearity with a dynamic 3-d sound.
- Preferred by guitar technicians for re-tubing and upgrading. equally well suited for hifi applications.
- Single tube.
$127.43
4.8
Features:
- Base type: octal
- Uf: 5.3 v
- If: ca 1.6 a
$18.95
4.8
Reviewers Noted:
Durable . Easy to put on/take off . Slimness . Doesn’t show dirt . Resists discoloration
Features:
- Jj's el84 is a great replacement for guitar amps or hi-fi.
- Available in singles, apex matched pairs or apex matched quads – please select from list.
$26.95
4.8
Reviewers Noted:
Durable . Easy to put on/take off . Slimness . Doesn’t show dirt . Resists discoloration
Features:
- Dual triode
- Glass tube
- Pure solid tone
Reviewers Noted:
Durability
Features:
- Octal power tube (max plate watts = 30w).
- This slovakian tube has colorful lows, loose/easy-going mid body and a brightly shining chime for the highs.
- In overdrive, it offers a tight and focused bite with crisp, bright and well-defined articulation.
$23.30
4.5
Features:
- Retail version, individually packaged.
- I have 46 of them left as of now.
$75.00
5.0
Features:
- Mesa boogie.
- Power tubes – matched pair.
- Ray mullin music.
$305.76
5.0
Features:
- 4033653190176gross weight (packaged) (kg)
- 0.8item priced per
- 1product dimensions (mm)
$79.99
4.7
Features:
- Preferred oem tube of '50s-era fender tweed champ and deluxe amplifier
- Has a geometry designed to safely handle the higher voltages
- Better mids and bottom while keeping the smooth top of the classic 6v6s
Features:
- Has shorter plates which will help alleviate microphonics and noise
- Great tube for combo amps where microphonics and noise can be an issue
- Great quality tube
Features:
- New gain matched septet of tung-sol gold pin ecc803s / 12ax7 vacuum tubes the tung-sol 12ax7 gold pin is one of the very best offered by new sensor corp. these…
1. Tung-Sol 6l6 Str Power Tube
Product Details:
Tung-sol 6l6 "str" power tube 6l6 tungsol premium power beam tetrode continuing in the tung-sol legacy. the ultimate in musical tone and smooth overdrive, str delivers the sound that established tung-sol as the benchmark of quality. faithful re-issue of the original tung-sol str, built to the same special tube request specs of amp manufacturers of the 60s rugged and reliable for use in the most demanding guitar amplifier circuits 5881/kt66 equivalent strongly committed to quality manufacturing, tung-sol tubes have always been known for their reliability and great tone. today's new production tung-sol tubes are constructed with the same commitment to quality and reliability. tung-sol tubes reflect the best in vintage tung-sol construction with unsurpassed tone and reliability.
Specifications:
| Quantity supplied | 1 piece |
| Preamp Tube | No |
| Power Amplifier | Yes |
| Matched | No |
| Number Of Tubes | 1 |
Reviews:
The new production Tung-Sol are excellent tubes. Well made and great tone. I use Tung-Sol across the board.triodeamp
I dont know what makes one brand of foreign made reissue tubes better than some other brand of the same tube with a different name, but I certainly have had a good run of success using these new issue Tung Sol tubes. I dont know why everyone uses JJ's ? I have had mixed results with them. Reflektor I believe is making the TungSol tubes and they are my go to tube. Luckily Sam Ash has them at the ready and convience when I need them right now ! I regularly roll thru all kinds of tubes as amps roll across my bench for service. Tung Sol makes a quick fix , Sam Ash makes it easy with good selection, cool staff and decent competitive retail pricing. I have no problem going to them and paying retail when it is saturday nite or sunday morning and they have shopping mall hoursSOUTHBOUND
Switched to these after my Groove Tube 6v6 pair died. The Tung Sols are not quite as warm in a classic rock sense, but are warm nonetheless. They also seem to have a bit more clarity and modern sound. No doubt, the sonic difference is minimal. By all accounts these tubes are well made, and ought to last much longer than the Groove Tubes, which is what got me to make the switch. So far, so good!bearsintexas33
2. Tung-Sol 5751 Preamp Tube
Product Details:
Tung sol 5751 dual triode preamp tube made in russia nos specs call the 5751 a “special 12ax7” having a high-mu amplification factor of 70. tung sol 5751 dual triode preamp tube. made in russia. nos specs call the 5751 a “special 12ax7” having a high-mu amplification factor of 70.
Specifications:
| Watchers | 24 |
| Made In | Russia |
Reviews:
Beautiful tubes could have been packed better when shipped but it survivedOHC2
Bardzo dobra. Znakomita technicznie lecz z typową lampową charakterystyką.
3. Jj Electronics 12ax7 / Ecc83 Preamp Vacuum Tube
Product Details:
Ecc83s/12ax7 jj electronic preamp tube, the best value valve. ecc83s/12ax7 jj electronic preamp tube the jj electronic 12ax7 / ecc83 has quickly become a modern classic in preamp tubes. its rugged design and rich harmonics make this tube an obvious choice for musicians who need a reliable and high quality tube at a reasonable price. the balanced tone of the jj 12ax7 works well in any amp. this versatile tube sounds excellent in clean amps offering an amazing dynamic response while also proving itself in high gain amps with its low noise and noticeably less microphonic issues than other tubes. the warm highs and transparent lows make it a great choice for any position in a tube amp. the jj 12ax7 is the go-to tube of many amp builders and touring musicians.
Specifications:
| Body Height | 49.2 mm |
| Cathode Current (Ik) | ≤ 8 mA |
| Filament Current (If) | 300 / 150 mA |
| Filament Voltage (Uf) | 6.3 / 12.6 V |
| Gain (μ) | 100 |
| Heater to cathode voltage (Uk/f) | ≤ 180 V |
| Internal Resistance (Ri) | 62.5 kΩ |
| Item Diameter | 22 mm |
| Item Height | 56.3 mm |
| Plate Current (Ia) | 1.2 mA |
| Plate Dissipation (Wa) | ≤ 1 W |
| Plate Voltage (Ua) | ≤ 300 V, 250 V typical |
Reviews:
Given the scarcity of tubes on the market, I was very excited to get my hands on these JJ 12AX7 preamp tubes. I installed them in my Fender Blues Junior, conducted a burn, then hooked up my Telecaster to give it a go. A marked difference in sound quality, very rich tones and allowed my Eventide H9 to sound better than ever. There are better, premium tubes out there, if you can find them, but these performed beyond my expectations. Additionally, delivery and customer service was top-notch. I cannot comment on durability yet, since I have only had these for a short time, but I suspect I will not be displeased. Highly recommend.BP
2 weeks ago: Went in to the San Diego store to buy a new set of tubes for my VOX AC10 and was helped by Daniel in guitars. I wasn't exactly sure what tubes I needed but Daniel recommended JJ's…he quickly looked it up and found two 12AX7's in stock and the two EL84's ordered to ship directly to my house for free! Daniel also got me a price match as what I found online was priced lower than what was in the store. Thanks for you time and extra effort Daniel! You rock bro!!!VOX Addict
4. Mesa/boogie 6l6 Str 443 Power Tubes – Matched Duet
Product Details:
Specifications:
| Country of Origin | Russia |
Reviews:
5. Tung-Sol 12au7
Product Details:
It is a premium quality 12au7 tube built to match the performance of the military/industrial original ge 6189 tube. this tube performs well as a preamp tube or driver tube. the 12au7 tube type is equivalent to the european ecc82 tube and can be used in any 12au7 or ecc82 circuit. the tung-sol name and trademark have been acquired by the new sensor corporation. this new production tungsol tube is manufactured at their xpo-pul factory (also known as reflektor) in saratov, russia. new sensor is an american corporation and since taking ownership of this factory has been steadily improving the quality of current production tubes.
Specifications:
| Year | 2021 |
Reviews:
Beautiful tubes could have been packed better when shipped but it survivedOHC2
Bardzo dobra. Znakomita technicznie lecz z typową lampową charakterystyką.
6. Mesa Boogie 12ax7 Preamp Tube
Product Details:
Bought this in late 2018. used it once in a tube compressor, took it out, used it once again in a tube amp, took it out and then shelved it. in all, 2 uses and kept packaged and stored away at all other times. got it to test out different tube tones, but decided the stock ones i already had were good enough. in the units i used it in, it gives a rich, dark tone – better for getting natural distortion out of. i've taken exceptional care of these tubes, and there are no signs of use or wear at all.
Specifications:
| Finish | Glass |
| Year | 2010s |
Reviews:
I put 2 of these in a Fender Champ and it brightened it up and boosted the distortion & output and I was very pleased with the performance. I own a Mesa Boogie Roadster that was toured for 2 years and had heavy use. After switching around pre-amp tubes and discovering the V1 spot pre-amp tube was pretty much spent, I replaced it with a SPAX7-A and HOLY SMOKES !!! My amp was sounding kinda muddled and I was almost ready to sell it and get a new JVM205 Marshall cuz it just wasn't making me WANT to walk over & turn it on. NOW I can't wait to wake up and play for hours. The dynamics and response of my Roadster is UH-MAZING !! The clean chnl. is nice while the gain is face-peeling, Even at 50w ! It's recomended for any position in the pre-amp side but at $21 a pop I'm happy with just 1 in the V1 spot which is THEE most important one. Do yourself a favor and don't think about any other purchase for your tone. Put at least 1 in that spot and run your other favorite brand tubes and I promise you'll thank me !! I'm running a SPAX7-A in V1 and mix around the others(Svet,Ruby,Groove,GE,JJ,etc) experimenting with my sound. I have YET to find a bad mix long as this tube is in the first in line of my pre-amp section. GET ONE or six !! Can't imagine what my sound would be with SIX of these….Hmmmmm ??Dr. LaRrY
7. Tung-Sol 6l6gc Str Matched Power Tubes Medium Duet
Product Details:
Built to the same special tube request specs of leading amp manufacturers of the 1960s, tungsol 6l6 gc str power tubes are rugged and reliable power tubes that excel in the most demanding guitar amp circuits. choose from soft, medium, or hard in the drop down menu to get the right tube for your needs. soft, medium, and hard style descriptions refer to break up modes of the tube for an overdriven guitar signal.soft tubes have lower plate current and transductance matching numbers and reach saturation and break-up quicker. they are perfect for blues guitarists for the because of the tonal break-up and sustain they give you. hard tubes on the other hand have a much higher amount of clean headroom before they give you that break-up and distortion. with a high plate current and transconductance matching numbers, they take longer to reach full saturation and are the preferred tubes for those into jazz, country, or bass, and guitarists who use various effects pedals for creating distortion. medium tubes, as you'd think, fall in between these two, as far as break-up, headroom, saturation, etc. and are a more versatile option if you play a little bit of everything.
Specifications:
| Product Dimensions | 3.5 x 1.75 x 4.75 inches |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Reviews:
Tried many 6L6's over the years, from all the big name to NOS tubes… these are a great sounding tube and stand out for all the others in the 6L6 family. Clean clear tones, no hiss at idle even with good a amount of gain and when you push them hard either w/amp gain or pedals they break up better than i expected. I would gladly buy them again highly recommend them.Sonny6String
These tubes seem to be identical to the Sylvania/Phillips 6L6WGB of the 1980's, a millitary spec'd tube – electrically, mechanically, and sonically. This is an outstanding 6L6 tube. They have the compact bottle of the 5881 but the high plate voltage handling and full 30-35 watt output of the WGB.Solerso68
8. Jj Electronic Vox Ac30 Standard Tube Set, Jj Tubes (X4 El84, X3 12ax7)
Product Details:
Specifications:
| Product Dimensions | 7 x 5 x 7 inches |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Reviews:
Given the scarcity of tubes on the market, I was very excited to get my hands on these JJ 12AX7 preamp tubes. I installed them in my Fender Blues Junior, conducted a burn, then hooked up my Telecaster to give it a go. A marked difference in sound quality, very rich tones and allowed my Eventide H9 to sound better than ever. There are better, premium tubes out there, if you can find them, but these performed beyond my expectations. Additionally, delivery and customer service was top-notch. I cannot comment on durability yet, since I have only had these for a short time, but I suspect I will not be displeased. Highly recommend.BP
2 weeks ago: Went in to the San Diego store to buy a new set of tubes for my VOX AC10 and was helped by Daniel in guitars. I wasn't exactly sure what tubes I needed but Daniel recommended JJ's…he quickly looked it up and found two 12AX7's in stock and the two EL84's ordered to ship directly to my house for free! Daniel also got me a price match as what I found online was priced lower than what was in the store. Thanks for you time and extra effort Daniel! You rock bro!!!VOX Addict
9. Jj Electronics T El84 Mp Power Vacuum Tube Matched Pair
Product Details:
With the jj el84 get a combination of both great tone and reliability. this tube is characterized by sparkling highs, good mids, and a solid bottom end. quality construction and a low failure rate make this tube a terrific choice for any amp requiring el84 tubes.choose single or matched pair. age group: adult.
Specifications:
| Product Dimensions | 3.7 x 2 x 1 inches |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Color Name | Matched Pair |
| Compatible Devices | Guitar |
| Output Wattage | 80 Watts |
Reviews:
Given the scarcity of tubes on the market, I was very excited to get my hands on these JJ 12AX7 preamp tubes. I installed them in my Fender Blues Junior, conducted a burn, then hooked up my Telecaster to give it a go. A marked difference in sound quality, very rich tones and allowed my Eventide H9 to sound better than ever. There are better, premium tubes out there, if you can find them, but these performed beyond my expectations. Additionally, delivery and customer service was top-notch. I cannot comment on durability yet, since I have only had these for a short time, but I suspect I will not be displeased. Highly recommend.BP
2 weeks ago: Went in to the San Diego store to buy a new set of tubes for my VOX AC10 and was helped by Daniel in guitars. I wasn't exactly sure what tubes I needed but Daniel recommended JJ's…he quickly looked it up and found two 12AX7's in stock and the two EL84's ordered to ship directly to my house for free! Daniel also got me a price match as what I found online was priced lower than what was in the store. Thanks for you time and extra effort Daniel! You rock bro!!!VOX Addict
10. Tung Sol 12ax7 Preamp Vacuum Tube Single
Product Details:
Performance which surpasses nos original in all areas. big, warm and very musical. superb linearity with a dynamic 3-d sound. preferred by guitar technicians for re-tubing and upgrading. equally well suited for hifi applications single tube 7025/ecc83 equivalent the 12ax7 tungsol has high gain, ultralow microphonics and superb linearity. the sound of this tube is full and musical.
Specifications:
| Product Dimensions | 1 x 1 x 2.75 inches |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Color Name | Original Version |
Reviews:
Overall: Used in all (3) slots in my Marshall Origin 20, and I should also note that at the same time I installed 2x Tung-Sol EL34B power tubes. I couldn't be happier with the sonic definition of both my low gain and high gain sounds. I settled on this tube after watching some videos and reading articles about the quality of these tubes. I'm very happy with my purchase and am very glad I purchased 6 of them. This is my first time using Tung-Sol so I can't comment on their longevity, but based on the sound alone it's an amazing tube.
I had heard that the Tung-sol 12AX7 tube would enhance the sound quality of the new ART Tube MP preamp I had recently purchased from Musician's Friend. The original tube is one that comes with the unit and, although not bad, does not have the kind of warmth I wanted in this unit. So I purchased the Tung-sol 12AX7, replacing the original tube, and could hear the difference immediately! Opening the unit can be a little difficult because the Philips screws are so tight. Pressing down firmly, while being careful not to strip the screws, works just time. Use a proper-fitting Philips screwdriver with a robust handle that gets fairly close to the unit. This will provide you with the control you need without stripping the screws. But be careful! I found that just a drop or two of WD-40 on each of the four screws worked wonders eventually getting them loose. Let the WD-40 sit for awhile before you try to untighten the screws. If they don't come off right away, hit them with another drop or two, wait for five or ten minutes and then try again. They should gradually come loose as a steady pressure is applied. Your efforts will be well-rewarded I assure you.Paul, the recordist
Overall: I’ve tried many many 12ax7 tubes in V1 of my 50 watt 5150iii head and these are hands down the best sounding tubes for the V1 slot. The first sentence in the description says it perfectly. “ The Ultimate 12AX7 — it's big, warm, and musical with High Gain, ultra-low microphonics, and superb linearity with a dynamic 3-D sound.” The only thing I would add is to say that it is neither a dark sounding or bright sounding too. It just has more of everything on the whole spectrum. Another thing is they remain tight and sound even sweeter when you turn up the volume. Even if you have the best power tubes in your amp, some 12ax7 preamp tubes can either get brittle or fuzzy/flubby on the low end. Not these! They just give you more tonal goodness when you crank your amp. I’ve used these in 2 Marshall’s and a Boogie I had prior and they performed the same in those amps. Perfectly!Mark
11. Jj Electronics Amplifier Tube (T-Kt88-Jj)
Product Details:
T-kt88-jj vacuum tube, single, kt88, jj electronics the jj electronic kt88 is a sonically faithful reproduction of the original tubes with a robust construction encased in a thick glass envelope. the jj kt88 delivers a powerful 42 watts with plenty of headroom to spare. this tube has a tone that is warm and lively with a detailed and balance response. the jj kt88 is an excellent choice for hi-fi stereo equipment as well as guitar amplifiers. it can be used in place of 6550 tubes.
Specifications:
12. Jj Tesla El84 Power Tube
Product Details:
Jj electronics amplifier tube (t-el84-jj) jj's el84 is a great replacement for guitar amps or hi-fi. el84/6bq5, available in singles, apex matched pairs or apex matched quads – please select from list. jj's el84 is a great replacement for guitar amps or hi-fi. el84/6bq5 available in singles, apex matched pairs or apex matched quads – please select from list.
Specifications:
| Matching | Single |
| Tube Type | Power Tubes |
Reviews:
Given the scarcity of tubes on the market, I was very excited to get my hands on these JJ 12AX7 preamp tubes. I installed them in my Fender Blues Junior, conducted a burn, then hooked up my Telecaster to give it a go. A marked difference in sound quality, very rich tones and allowed my Eventide H9 to sound better than ever. There are better, premium tubes out there, if you can find them, but these performed beyond my expectations. Additionally, delivery and customer service was top-notch. I cannot comment on durability yet, since I have only had these for a short time, but I suspect I will not be displeased. Highly recommend.BP
2 weeks ago: Went in to the San Diego store to buy a new set of tubes for my VOX AC10 and was helped by Daniel in guitars. I wasn't exactly sure what tubes I needed but Daniel recommended JJ's…he quickly looked it up and found two 12AX7's in stock and the two EL84's ordered to ship directly to my house for free! Daniel also got me a price match as what I found online was priced lower than what was in the store. Thanks for you time and extra effort Daniel! You rock bro!!!VOX Addict
13. Jj 5751 Preamp Vacuum Tube
Product Details:
The jj 5751 preamp tube can be used in most 12ax7 circuits to achieve more headroom. the jj 5751 was designed as a ruggedised high mu, dual triode tube with similar specifications to the 12ax7. with 30% reduced gain, the 5751 is a fantastic way to tame a distortion stage and tone shape an amp. they and are often used to quiet down guitar amps that have too much gain. these short plate 5751s utilise a short plate design and the tubes have great compression and harmonic complexity, they are perfectly suited for creating articulate mid-range and warmer high end response.
Specifications:
| Finish | Clear Glass |
| Year | 2010s |
| Made In | Slovakia |
Reviews:
Given the scarcity of tubes on the market, I was very excited to get my hands on these JJ 12AX7 preamp tubes. I installed them in my Fender Blues Junior, conducted a burn, then hooked up my Telecaster to give it a go. A marked difference in sound quality, very rich tones and allowed my Eventide H9 to sound better than ever. There are better, premium tubes out there, if you can find them, but these performed beyond my expectations. Additionally, delivery and customer service was top-notch. I cannot comment on durability yet, since I have only had these for a short time, but I suspect I will not be displeased. Highly recommend.BP
2 weeks ago: Went in to the San Diego store to buy a new set of tubes for my VOX AC10 and was helped by Daniel in guitars. I wasn't exactly sure what tubes I needed but Daniel recommended JJ's…he quickly looked it up and found two 12AX7's in stock and the two EL84's ordered to ship directly to my house for free! Daniel also got me a price match as what I found online was priced lower than what was in the store. Thanks for you time and extra effort Daniel! You rock bro!!!VOX Addict
14. Jj Electronics T-6l6gc-Jj-Mq Vacuum Tube Beam Power Amp Matched Quad
Product Details:
Jj 6l6 power tube matched quadthis slovakian tube has colorful lows, loose/easygoing mid body, and a brightly shining chime for the highs. in overdrive, it offers a tight and focused bite with crisp, bright, and well-defined articulation. get your amp some healthy tubes and revel in the warmth of great tone! features:significant upgrade to the tonality of your ampbetter feel and increased dynamic responsedat warmth!
Specifications:
| Finish | Clear Glass / Black Base |
| Year | 2010s |
| Made In | Slovakia |
Reviews:
This was a matched pair of 6L6GC tubes, at a low price but the plastic key was broken off one of the tubes, this was clearly shown in the pictures. So I was a little Leary since this generally indicates rough handling, but for the price I thought I'd give it a try. Both tubes arrived quickly an we're well packed, no other damage was evident. Long story short, they worked great, so this was a good value.jken6547
Needed a new 6l6gc for my vintage PA head guitar amp. The 'vintage NOS' tube I had sourced was microphonic and causing some uncool sounds. Figured I get everything else from MF, so why not? Had it in my hand 2 days later, nicely protected in the box. Put it in the amp and it worked a treat. I am completely satisfied. Made the amp sound way better.Myxlplyx
I replaced the stock Sovtek 5881WXT tubes with a matched pair of these in my ‘92ish Blues DeVille and I really like them. The Sovteks had a harsh high end and muddy low end that was hard to dial out. These seem to fit the sound I want and put that tone closer to the middle of my dial settings.TVK
15. Sovtek 12ax7wa Preamp Tube
Product Details:
Specifications:
| Bulb Temperature | 95°C |
| Capacitance, input | 2.15 nF |
| Plate Dissipation, per triode (W a ) | 1.0 W |
| Weight (Packaging) | 0.036 lbs. |
Reviews:
These are direct replacement tubes that come stock in Fender '65 blackface amps. I had tried many replacement tubes (JJ, Tung-Sol, Jan, RCA) and I kept getting irritated that the tone just wasn't doing it for me. Unfortunately I sold the stock groove tubes, and wasn't sure what manufacture that groove tubes purchased their 12ax7's from, and I didn't want to pay their premium prices for relabeled tubes. So, I ended up reading the tube chart on the back of my amp which has "12ax7wa", which are these sovtek tubes, which are 80% gain rating as opposed to the 100% that most 12ax7's use. This is important because the '65 series reissue amps were designed to work with these tubes. All the other preamp tubes I tried sucked so much as they introduced noise, or were muddy, or were too bright, just a complete cluster. So I don't know how these would function in other amps, but in my '65 DRRI, these are the best tubes for my amp. They're very transparent sounding tubes, not overly bass heavy and allow the amps natural sparkle come through. They're very quite and don't exaggerate the noise floor. It may suffice to say, these work in my amp better than any tube I've found, and I really wish I never changed out my groove tubes, such a complete waste of time. Now that I have the stock tubes back in my amp it's performing better than I ever remembered, I'm a very satisfied customer.Nathan
These are the same as the original tubes in my Fender Deluxe (1999 Hot Rod) amp. I've also used the Tung-Sol 12AX7 which seem to provide a bit more volume and are brighter. I'd recommend the Tung-Sol as well, if you prefer that sound. I changed back to the 12AX7WA tubes since they seemed to provide the amp with it's original tone which I prefered. They've worked well and no issues. I always keep spare tubes on hand (including power tubes) when playing..I've had them quit working. I prefer the 12AX7WA, but of course everyone has a different sound they like.Tele Player
These are the tubes that come in the HR DLX amp. I know because my amp was possessed by evil popcorn sounds coming from the speaker. So I replaced all the tubes with Fender/Sovtek's and had the amp professionally re-biased and inspected. The amp still hates me. Then my dad told me the 12AX7WA have been noted on some sites to have a pop or crack sometimes. He bought me the Electro Harmonix 12AX7EH. I replaced the first two preamp tubes and noticed a big difference. The amp sounds warmer, more detailed, and the noises are about 80% quieter. Now I need one more tube. I was surprised this made such a big difference.G-wiz
16. Mesa Boogie Str-417 Power Tubes
Product Details:
Mesa 6v6 str 417 duet (matched pair) the mesa 6v6 str 417 is the little brother to the 6l6 and exemplifies classic american tube tone from yesteryear. extremely sweet and bubbly with a beautifully deep bass and spacious, shimmering highs, this tube defines vintage "deluxe" styled tones and is a great substitute in mark & lone star series amplifiers when used with their tweed power switch feature (consult the amplifier owner's manual for proper use). mesa power tubes are among the highest quality available and selected for their exceptional full-range tonal quality, consistency and reliability. all mesa tubes offer unsurpassed consistency and reliability for any tube amplifier, and certainly mesa amplifiers! remember our dedication is to create the world s finest tube amplifiers. and to achieve that goal requires a deeper commitment to tube quality because the reputation of our amplifiers depends on it.
Specifications:
| Finish | Glass |
| Year | 2019 |
17. Bugera 6550b 6 Tetrode Tubes Bu020
Product Details:
Their consistently robust power, rugged durability and high-voltage performance make them ideal for all guitar, bass and other audio tube amplifier applications. our 6550b high-end power amp tubes produce beautifully deep bass, articulate mids and tapered highs, making them ideal for styles such as blues, jazz, fusion and r&b, or any style of music where a solid dose of rich and warm tone is desired. and when compared to the competition, the bugera 6550b stands above the rest as the ultimate power tube for all critical output stages. it is simply one of the best 6550b tubes ever produced. our state-of-the-art process begins with selecting only the finest tubes from all over the world. only about 10% pass the test and are given the bugera name and stamp of approval. the rest are recycled responsibly.
Specifications:
| Dimensions | 4.50cm x 11.50cm x 4.50cm |
Reviews:
Excellent tubes yo my ear.4thboston
18. Tung-Sol 6v6gt Matched Power Tubes Medium Duet
Product Details:
The tung-sol 6v6gt is the preferred oem tube of the '50s-era fender tweed champ and deluxe amplifiers. the tungsol 6v6 has a geometry designed to safely handle the higher voltages used in guitar amps-plus heavier plate and grid materials. the result: better mids and bottom while keeping the smooth top of the classic 6v6 vacuum tubes. the tung-sol 6v6 breaks up evenly from low e to high up the neck. blues players will love these tubes for the way they sing! soft tubes reach saturation and break-up quicker. these tubes have lower plate current (ip) and transconductance (gm) matching numbers. they are preferred by blues guitarists for the break-up and sustain they provide. hard tubes have the highest amount of clean headroom before break-up and distortion. these tubes have high plate current (ip) and transconductance (gm) matching numbers. they take longer to reach saturation and are preferred by jazz, country, and bass players. hard tubes are also used by guitarists who rely primarily on effects pedals to generate distortion. medium tubes fall in between soft tubes and hard tubes. they exhibit good headroom, but will break up and distort when pushed. these tubes have plate current (ip) and transconductance (gm) matching numbers in the middle of the range. classic rock guitarists and players who play a wide variety of styles generally use medium rated tubes.
Specifications:
| Preamp Tube | No |
| Power Amplifier | Yes |
| Matched | Yes |
| Number Of Tubes | 2 |
Reviews:
I bought these along with the 12ax7 Tung Sol preamp for my Fender Super Champ x2 head( came with Groove tubes). I play three guitars through the head An Ovation acoustic Electric, on the clean channel. An Epiphone Dot Studio and a Les Paul mostly through Channel 2. The results are outstanding. Each guitar has its own character, however the top end is more pronounced, the Dot and Les Paul now have the "old school" chime without sacrificing the mid and bottom. The Ovation is cleaner but with some low end enhancement. Great Tubes. If you want to bring your Champ, Princeton or Deluxe Reverb to life these are the tubes. The Matched Medium Duet are an exact replacement(no biasing)according to my research.Peter12
For starters, I just play at home, I play a Gibson L.P., Fender USA Strat and an Eastman T486, (335 clone) blues & classic rock is "my thing." My one amp is a Vintage Sound, Vintage 15 hand wired "Princeton clone" using a 5Y3 J.J. rectifier. I've tried TAD's, J.J.'s and Tungsol's. I've now been using Tungsol 6V6's for 10 years with no desire to try anything else. Hands down I found that the Tungsol's give me the "sound and the feel" that I've been looking for. Years ago, when they first came out there was a "quality problem" with them, hit or miss, some of them didn't last too long. But that problem has been solved for quite a while now and I easily get 2+ years out of a pair of them with no problems at all. (4-6 hrs. a week @ medium-to-medium low volume) To me they're "the perfect match" power tubes for my amp.Bob
I replaced the original power tube in my VHT Special 6 Ultra with this tube, and wow! It breaks up much later allowing me to play the amp at full volume with brilliant definition and clarity. At the top, the distort cleanly and smoothly, musically and beautifully. It is also more quiet than the original tube, louder, but has still preserved the sound of the amp. Its just made it more-better! On another note, there were packaged just like the two preamp tubes I ordered were, thrown in the bottom of a small box, packing paper squeezed in on top of the, and the box sealed. They arrived one intact (currently in my amp of course), and one broken by some impact during shipping. I emailed the GC customer service about this when the preamp tubes arrived and got no reply. This could have easily been avoided by taking 3-5 seconds to wrap the tubes in the packing paper. I have not written their customer service department about this since my last attempt to communicate with them was ignored, so I feel that it would be pointless to do so. I will continue to do business with GC, but will never order anything from them that must be shipped to me. Anything delivered to the store will be inspected and/or tested before I leave the store with it.
19. Mullard 12ax7 / Cv4004 Tube
Product Details:
This new production mullard 12ax7 tube is manufactured at their xpo-pul factory (also known as reflektor) in saratov, russia. this new production mullard 12ax7 tube is manufactured at their xpo-pul factory (also known as reflektor) in saratov, russia. one other note about the construction of these tubes is they have filaments that are almost completely encased in the plate structure. they often don't "light up" when working properly. this is not a problem, it's normal for the reissue mullard 12ax7 / ecc83.
Specifications:
| Product Dimensions | 1 x 1 x 3 inches |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Reviews:
The gain is just ok with these tubes but they lend them self or better suited for amps that have a harsh bite or like a champ/princeton that is just too crunchy, these will definitely take the edge off. If you are a Jazz guitarist then these are going to give you the softer edge with good definition. I prefer the Matched Gain JJ's for a better bite and gain, but the best tube IMHO is the Genalex Gold Lion Matched Gain, across the board. They cost almost twice as much, and they deliver. For Marshall amps and rocking a JCM 800 the Matched Gain JJ's are the ticket. They deliver in the 800s and give a bit more bite than the Genalex. But Keep in mind that the Preamps are critical for the sound of your guitar or bass. If you have a crappy pair of Power tubes then you are really wasting your time. Cheerscagraphics56
Pro- best in V1 slot. Chime for days. If you have a 4 preamp tube amp put this in V1 ad a GT12ax7 to the V4 and try a JJ5751 in the V3. for a V2 us a GT 12ax7 or 12ay7. Oh yeh toss out the Celestion 70/80 if you have it and put in the Celestion cream 90 it will run an extra $275 on E-bay but you will bring the amp alive. Now you got a great set up. (I have a Marshall DSL 40C). Buy a GT 12AY7 %70 tube for a reference in V1 for fun and see what you think. Rely on your favorite distortion pedal for the front end drive and let the amp do the rest (Channel 1&2). You are gonna love this tube. You will love the reverb with this set up as well. Con- just a bit thin on the bottom end but only if you have single coils on your guitar (Strat sw position 1), (turn up the amp bass knob). Swap between the Mullard 12ax7 and a GT 12ax7 and see which one you prefer in V1/V4. the Grove Tube is a bit tighter on the bottom end but not as much chime as the Mullard so try both in V1 / V4 see witch you prefer. I still give the edge to the Mullard for chime.splitflier
I always thought TS 12AX7 was the stuff but up until this lockdown bit took hold, only did I swap tubes out boredom not necessity. Putting JJs, TS, GTs, in V1 of my EVH 5153 Stealth wasn't the greatest of tones. Out of the 3 the JJs were more tolerable but not quite what I wanted. So outta that boredom I tried for the Mullard Russian and holy guacamole I love the tone. I went so for in ordering another one for my EVH 5153 50 watt head and secured the same result but the catch is I put a Bugera ECC83B in the V2 of both EVH amps – awesome sauce. I'm set on keeping that arrangement. The amps sound great in cleans and OD. There's an actual noticeable difference in that setup of preamp tubes. I may just order more for my Randall Diavlo and other tube amps.Iam Az
20. Tung-Sol Ecc803s 12ax7 Gold Pin Preamp Vacuum Tube
Product Details:
New gain matched septet of tung-sol gold pin ecc803s / 12ax7 vacuum tubes the tung-sol 12ax7 gold pin is one of the very best offered by new sensor corp. these tubes are high gain, low noise and are very warm and detailed. you'll get true 3d sound with these. the filaments are almost completely encased within the plates so they don't light up much, but it effectively helps to bring down any noise. the tone is comparable to the best vintage 12ax7s like mullard s or telefunken s. this is the gold pin version, identical to the standard 12ax7; except with gold pins to increase conductivity and to eliminate pin corrosion.
Specifications:
| Product Dimensions | 0.98 x 0.98 x 2.48 inches |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Reviews:
Overall: Used in all (3) slots in my Marshall Origin 20, and I should also note that at the same time I installed 2x Tung-Sol EL34B power tubes. I couldn't be happier with the sonic definition of both my low gain and high gain sounds. I settled on this tube after watching some videos and reading articles about the quality of these tubes. I'm very happy with my purchase and am very glad I purchased 6 of them. This is my first time using Tung-Sol so I can't comment on their longevity, but based on the sound alone it's an amazing tube.
I had heard that the Tung-sol 12AX7 tube would enhance the sound quality of the new ART Tube MP preamp I had recently purchased from Musician's Friend. The original tube is one that comes with the unit and, although not bad, does not have the kind of warmth I wanted in this unit. So I purchased the Tung-sol 12AX7, replacing the original tube, and could hear the difference immediately! Opening the unit can be a little difficult because the Philips screws are so tight. Pressing down firmly, while being careful not to strip the screws, works just time. Use a proper-fitting Philips screwdriver with a robust handle that gets fairly close to the unit. This will provide you with the control you need without stripping the screws. But be careful! I found that just a drop or two of WD-40 on each of the four screws worked wonders eventually getting them loose. Let the WD-40 sit for awhile before you try to untighten the screws. If they don't come off right away, hit them with another drop or two, wait for five or ten minutes and then try again. They should gradually come loose as a steady pressure is applied. Your efforts will be well-rewarded I assure you.Paul, the recordist
Overall: I’ve tried many many 12ax7 tubes in V1 of my 50 watt 5150iii head and these are hands down the best sounding tubes for the V1 slot. The first sentence in the description says it perfectly. “ The Ultimate 12AX7 — it's big, warm, and musical with High Gain, ultra-low microphonics, and superb linearity with a dynamic 3-D sound.” The only thing I would add is to say that it is neither a dark sounding or bright sounding too. It just has more of everything on the whole spectrum. Another thing is they remain tight and sound even sweeter when you turn up the volume. Even if you have the best power tubes in your amp, some 12ax7 preamp tubes can either get brittle or fuzzy/flubby on the low end. Not these! They just give you more tonal goodness when you crank your amp. I’ve used these in 2 Marshall’s and a Boogie I had prior and they performed the same in those amps. Perfectly!Mark
