Are 12AU7 and 12AX7 interchangeable?
Are 12AX7 and 12AU7 Interchangeable? Important: Always check your amps circuit/manual before swapping out a component to avoid damaging your amp. Technically, yes, you can physically interchange a 12AX7 tube for a 12AU7 tube in your amp without risk of major damage to your amp.
Are 12AX7 and 12AY7 interchangeable?
You can interchange a 12AX7 with 12AT7, 12AU7, 12AY7 or 5751 as they are all the same pin structure, however they will each give you a different result in your amp. Each of these tubes has a different gain factor, which means some will give higher gain and others lower gain.
Can you swap preamp tubes?
Because those qualities are the central defining characteristics of most guitar amps, even swapping just one crucial preamp tube for a different type can entirely alter the feel and response of your favorite amplifier.
How do you match a preamp tube?
Preamp tubes don’t need to be matched. The two triodes in preamp tubes operate independently in different circuits. So there is no need to match them.
Can you mix power tubes?
With power tubes, you can swap different brands of the same tube. (For example, 6L6 tubes from different manufacturers.) But do not swap different types of power tubes unless you are absolutely sure you know what you are doing — damage may result.
Do preamp tubes need to be matched and balanced?
Preamp tubes are, in the majority of cases, self-biasing. Therefore, they do not require matching. Only tubes that are in a push/pull Class AB circuit need to be matched because they share a common bias voltage.
Do power tubes need to be matched?
Power tubes require matching because the way they amplify signal can create exceptionally bad sound if they are poorly matched, but pre-amp tubes generally aren’t used this way and so matching them is unnecessary.
Can you mix preamp tubes?
It is perfectly okay to mix preamp tubes. In fact, it might be recommended in some cases. The reason why some musicians mix and match preamp tubes is because using different tubes can change or improve the tone of your preamp or amp.
What is the difference between 12AU7 and 12AT7 tubes?
This tube has a mu factor of 60, as compared to the higher gain 12AX7 with a factor of 100, and the 12AU7, with a mu of only 20. The 12AT7 is found in many high fidelity applications, as each triode section in normal use operates as a class A amplifier.
What is a 12AX7 Russian tube?
This long plate Russian tube sounds like a slightly lower gain version of the 12AX7LPS. RCA and Sylvania first introduced the 12AX7 to the world in the late 1940’s. Today, it is by far the most common preamp tube used for electric guitar amplification and there is an almost overwhelming supply of current production options to choose from.
What is the amplification factor of a 12AX7 tube?
All 12AX7 tubes have an amplification factor (μ) of 100 (“high-mu”). Ideally, every 12AX7 should yield the same gain when placed in the same circuit.
What can I use instead of a 12AX7 tube?
A common substitution is to replace a 12AX7 with a 5751 or a 12AY7 to tame a preamp that tends to overdrive too easily, allowing you to get a better ‘clean’ sound out of your amp. It is important to note that the above is not carved in stone and any of these tubes can be substituted for any other.