Retubing my Twin

Ankhanu · Post by **Ankhanu** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 11:43 pm

I've had my 1972 Twin Reverb since early in 2005; bought it through eBay. When I got it, the tubes looked to be kinda old, and I haven't replaced them in the meantime... but I'm thinkin' it's about time. I've noticed that it's not so loud anymore... when I'm practicing with the band, I have the master up around 7 (channel volume near

, which should be bleedingly loud. Obviously the power tubes need replacing, but I've also had some issues with high pitched whining (not particularly loud) and the tremolo making either a choppy high pitch, or just pulsing audibly without sound going through... so I'm going to try replacing the preamps too.

I found this set of JJs on eBay:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/JJ-Premium-Tube- ... 7023832659

Look to be a good deal? Are they decent enough tubes?

Do you have other suggestions?

Gabriel · Post by **Gabriel** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 8:58 am

JJ tubes are ace, I'd make sure you get the amp biased though (or do it yourself if you know what you are doing).

laterallateral · Post by **laterallateral** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 2:30 pm

JJs are perfectly fine tubes. Their standard 12AX7 preamp tubes are a bit meh but they do the job and sound a little bit more lively than Sovteks. However in my opinion, the Tesla factory (which is where JJs are made) cranks out the best sounding, current production 6V6/6L6 variants out there. That ebay deal sounds really good cash-wise. i say go for it and if you end up disapointed in your preamp tubes, I say splurge on a really nice SED or Tung Sol 12AU7 for your V1 position and scavenge some old electronics for a sweet old JAN Phillips or RCA 12AX7 and pop it in V2 position. The rest of the preamp tubes won't affect your tone or the way the amp responds in a very perceptible way.