JMguitars
New member
Tsunami,
Suggest that you read up more from the web in regards to tubes. Really too much to cover via short replies.
However, to start you off, the easiest anology I can think of in regards to ur question on different versions of 12AX7s is Coke and Pepsi. Both are Colas. Both can (generally) be substituted for each other. However, in tasting somewhat different from each other, it does not imply that one is better or worse than the other. They are just different flavors to which different people will have different preferences.
To build further on Mike's msg, I've taken this short post from the web ...... regarding 12AX7 alternatives and the different gain levels that each tube type produces.
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conveniently taken from www.univalve.net ....
Preamp tubes have different gain factors, and can therefore be used to alter the tone and "feel" of the amp (actual % effect differs from amp to amp depending on circuitry build). Anyway, using the 12AX7 as a base value of 100, you can get an idea of how much less gain each type produces by the following chart. Keep in mind that there are slight variations between tubes within each family. This list is not comprehensive and may not be perfect...let me know if you disagree with any of the following:
100: 12AX7, 7025, ECC83
70: 5751
60: 12AZ7, 6201, 12AT7, ECC81, 12DW7
47: 5965
44: 6072, 12AY7
41: 12AV7
21: 5963
20: 5814, ECC82, 12AU7
16.5: 12BH7
Suggest that you read up more from the web in regards to tubes. Really too much to cover via short replies.
However, to start you off, the easiest anology I can think of in regards to ur question on different versions of 12AX7s is Coke and Pepsi. Both are Colas. Both can (generally) be substituted for each other. However, in tasting somewhat different from each other, it does not imply that one is better or worse than the other. They are just different flavors to which different people will have different preferences.
To build further on Mike's msg, I've taken this short post from the web ...... regarding 12AX7 alternatives and the different gain levels that each tube type produces.
------------------------------
conveniently taken from www.univalve.net ....
Preamp tubes have different gain factors, and can therefore be used to alter the tone and "feel" of the amp (actual % effect differs from amp to amp depending on circuitry build). Anyway, using the 12AX7 as a base value of 100, you can get an idea of how much less gain each type produces by the following chart. Keep in mind that there are slight variations between tubes within each family. This list is not comprehensive and may not be perfect...let me know if you disagree with any of the following:
100: 12AX7, 7025, ECC83
70: 5751
60: 12AZ7, 6201, 12AT7, ECC81, 12DW7
47: 5965
44: 6072, 12AY7
41: 12AV7
21: 5963
20: 5814, ECC82, 12AU7
16.5: 12BH7
artyman: 
