I purchased a used 50 Caliber + back in March and it had 3 standard JJ ECC83 preamp tubes, a JJ ECC81 in the fourth position and an Electro Harmonix 12AX7 in V2. The power tubes were Ruby 6L6GC's.
Although the amp sounded good, it was a little "buzzy" sounding and I kept the gain low, to keep the buzz down.
I just put a pair of JJ 6L6's in and moved the JJ ECC83 in V1 to replace the Electro Harmonix 12AX7 in V2. Then, I put a JJ Gold Pin ECC83 in V1. And WOW! The gain is so much smoother sounding. I was able to turn the gain up a couple notches and it still sounds smooth.
Has anyone else tried the Gold Pin preamp tubes from JJ? I wonder how much of the change in tone is from the new power tubes, the new preamp tube, or from getting rid of the 12AX7?
Although the amp sounded good, it was a little "buzzy" sounding and I kept the gain low, to keep the buzz down.
I just put a pair of JJ 6L6's in and moved the JJ ECC83 in V1 to replace the Electro Harmonix 12AX7 in V2. Then, I put a JJ Gold Pin ECC83 in V1. And WOW! The gain is so much smoother sounding. I was able to turn the gain up a couple notches and it still sounds smooth.
Has anyone else tried the Gold Pin preamp tubes from JJ? I wonder how much of the change in tone is from the new power tubes, the new preamp tube, or from getting rid of the 12AX7?