I was kind of thinking about replacing my Ruby EL34BSTR tubes just to try something else in the V-12R, then a local dealer friend with the same amp at home recommended I keep trying different front-end tubes to realize a bigger change, and perhaps he was right. I learned the Ruby’s are well matched apparently "made by shaugang/sino in china"; not a bad tube at all, reasonably affordable too. Sounds nice and full and a tad warm, but not too warm. Quite a few musicians who run their guitar amps for sustained periods really like them too; a thread for reference on that front FWIW; http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/ruby-el34-matched-power-tubes
re: front end tubes first
I kept at the front-end tubes instead of replacing the El34 Rubys -
Ended up with some NOS 12BZ7 and EL84 front end tubes, and glad I kept at this for a while to get it right. I’m fine with them overall, but keep researching because that’s what we do, can’t leave well enough alone :)
I may still try a different power tube set just to see or as a backup set. Gonna do other upgrades first.
re: Jim McShane,
Then, I started thinking I’d just get a set of the new Mullards, and i reached and Jim McShane sent me this note, quote: "Now, on to your tube needs…The best EL34 family tube out there now is the Genalex (Gold Lion) KT-77. They are every bit as good (many say better than) the old stock British made tubes. I can provide (2) matched sextets of Genalex KT-77s...", unquote.
Next:
this week we’ll be recapping with the newer Mundorf EVO Silver/Golds (non-oil) this time, plus added hexfreds, some bypass caps. Can’t wait to see how it sounds.
The V-12R is fun.
re: front end tubes first
I kept at the front-end tubes instead of replacing the El34 Rubys -
Ended up with some NOS 12BZ7 and EL84 front end tubes, and glad I kept at this for a while to get it right. I’m fine with them overall, but keep researching because that’s what we do, can’t leave well enough alone :)
I may still try a different power tube set just to see or as a backup set. Gonna do other upgrades first.
re: Jim McShane,
Then, I started thinking I’d just get a set of the new Mullards, and i reached and Jim McShane sent me this note, quote: "Now, on to your tube needs…The best EL34 family tube out there now is the Genalex (Gold Lion) KT-77. They are every bit as good (many say better than) the old stock British made tubes. I can provide (2) matched sextets of Genalex KT-77s...", unquote.
Next:
this week we’ll be recapping with the newer Mundorf EVO Silver/Golds (non-oil) this time, plus added hexfreds, some bypass caps. Can’t wait to see how it sounds.
The V-12R is fun.