Eurotubes (JJ Tubes)

Posted on Mar 05, 2006 12:49 pm
Tadpui
I am not a crook's head
Member Since: Mar 14, 2003

So I decided to go ahead and retube my Traynor YCV80. I've had it for well over 2 years now, and it was time to replace those stock Sovtek 5881/12AX7 power/preamp tubes. One of the 5881s in the power section had gone dead, and I never really was totally satisfied with the preamp section either.

So I browsed Eurotubes' site, purely off of the good press I've seen internet forum users give the company. I've never seen any negative remarks about the site. And now I can see why...this transaction of mine was a shining example of a good product and great service over the internet.

He had a "kit" that included all 7 tubes for my specific amp. I emailed Bob with a couple of questions and he got right back to me the next day with the answers I needed. He encouraged me to give him a call to place my order if I didn't want to use the web interface (which is pretty amateruish, so I can see why it may scare some people off). After hearing his comments, I decided on the "Blues Option" for my amp.

I ordered late Wednesday night, the order was personally confirmed and shipped early Thursday, and was in my mailbox on Saturday afternoon (They're in Oregon, I'm in Missouri).

I got the new tubes in and the difference in distortion quality is absolutely all its cracked up to be. The stock 5881s power tubes were replaced with 6L6GCs , and the 12AX7A preamp tubes were replaced with ECC83Ss. I have to say that I am MUCH more impressed with the preamp section in this amp now.

There is less preamp gain available (a 40% reduction), which suits me fine because I never had it up above 3 or 4 because it got too gritty and fizzy. But now at 5, 6, or even 7, it breaks up into this great smooth gain. Then on the boost channel, with the gain at 3 or 4 it has remarkable punch and clarity. Even on ringing chords. Wow, I'm in love with my amp all over again!

Now granted I was limping along with 1 dead power tube, so just putting ANYTHING in that slot would have made a difference. But this amp sings like never before. For less than $100, I have to say that this was one heck of a deal.

So JJ Tubes, and Eurotubes (the US distributor for JJ Tubes) both get my offical stamp of approval.

OK, gush over...sorry...I just had to tell somebody that'd understand...my wife wasn't nearly impressed enough ;)

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