Advice on which tubes to change to on Fender 57 Deluxe

[Nirvana33]

I have one of the black limited edition Fender 57 deluxe amps that need a tube change. It's rattling. I play aggressive heavy rock and use pedals through it. Price doesn't matter...just want the best tone. Which tubes should I get?

Here is what it currently comes with.

Late 1950s 5E3 circuit produces about 12 watts.

Matched pair of Groove Tubes GT6V6 output tubes.

5Y3 rectifier tube contributes to compression and "sag" when amp is played hard.

Two 12AX7 preamp tubes, one of which may be substituted with a 12AY7 for the original '50s lower-gain sound, if desired.

12" Celestion Alnico Blue speaker.

Thank you for the help.

 

[sonar]

New - Tung Sol.

 

[ARandall]

Interesting.....a tweed deluxe and heavy music styles seem almost opposite....especially with an Alnico speaker.

Is this bedroom playing?? As I can imagine you'd get to flub levels pretty quickly for typical hard rock volumes.
If you are flubbing out, someone at a shop recommended me a GE shortplate preamp tube for less bass....or tighter bass in any event.

 

[Splattle101]

Another vote for new production Tung-Sol 6V6GT valves here.

For the rectifier, you could try a Sovtek 5Y3. This thing produces much higher voltages than a vintage 5Y3, and this helps contribute a bit more clean headroom and bite in the Deluxe if you need that for your heavy sounds.

For the preamps, whatever turns your crank. There's certainly nothing wrong with the Tung-Sol 12AX7. I've currently got one in my 5E3 amp, replacing a vintage long plate 12AX7 that became just a bit too microphonic. Works fine, to the point that I'd forgotten it was there until I recalled it just now.

I understand JJ makes a 5Y3GT now, but I've never tested one so I can't comment other than to say I've found JJs products to be good sounding and reliable (I've used their 6L6GCs, GZ34s and ECC83s).

And speaking of JJ, they make a 6V6GT that is tough as guts and sounds good, but a little different to an old 6V6. The Tung-Sols sound a lot like vintage 6V6s, whereas the JJs sound a little like 6L6s. That's not a bad thing (not to my ear, anyway ;D), it's just different. Tough, too.

 

[sonar]

I like the JJ's a lot in my Princeton Reverb, but Splattle is spot-on. Much more of a 6L6WGB quality. JJ's are also incredibly durable and can take much higher plate voltage than the new Tung Sol.

Since Tweed amps play at much lower voltages I like the Tung Sol in the 5E3, which behaves much more like a 6V6.

To the OP - I also have a Blue in my 5E3. A pretty great match, imo.

 

[KP11520]

For the 12AX7s, Look at the ratings for the new Genalex Gold Lions.

More expensive than most production 12AX7s, but just about every review talks about how much sweeter they sound. I bought 3 for my Laney Lionheart, soon to be swapped and recorded before and after.

Maybe look at the Gold Lion 6V6s as well

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genalex-Factory-Platinum-Matched-PAIR-Gold-Lion-6V6GT-6V6-24hr-Burn-in-/311563538276?_trksid=p2349526.m2548.l4275

 

[cybermgk]

NOS and quality pulls 5Y3 are not too hard to find, and affordable. I'd recco one of those.

 

[Splattle101]

NOS and quality pulls 5Y3 are not too hard to find, and affordable. I'd recco one of those.

Good point.

 

[cybermgk]

Good point.

I run NOS/Pull 5AR4 rectifiers in my 68 Custom DR. Built to last a LONG time, and love what they do to the feel.

 

[Nirvana33]

Saw this package for $235.
2 TubesGenalex - Gold Lion 6V6GT / CV511
"Perfect Pair" Matching

1 Tubes12AY7
Additional Options

1 TubesNOS 5Y3GT
1 TubesJAN-GE 12AX7WA

 

[kakao]

JJ's all the way ..

 

[Splattle101]

Saw this package for $235.
2 TubesGenalex - Gold Lion 6V6GT / CV511
"Perfect Pair" Matching

1 Tubes12AY7
Additional Options

1 TubesNOS 5Y3GT
1 TubesJAN-GE 12AX7WA

It's a good set of tubes, but it seems a bit expensive to me. It looks they're really stinging you for that 12AX7. You can awesome pulls of vintage 12AX7s for nothing or next to nothing. You can also get GE 12AX7 short plates much cheaper than $90. But modern 12AX7s are really pretty good these days.

The only modern 12AY7 is from Electroharmonix, and it's a good tube. Nothing wrong with it. I understand JJ are tooling up for one, too, but I've not heard it. Good vintage 12AY7s are becoming really expensive.

 

[Wrench66]

It's a good set of tubes, but it seems a bit expensive to me. It looks they're really stinging you for that 12AX7. You can awesome pulls of vintage 12AX7s for nothing or next to nothing. You can also get GE 12AX7 short plates much cheaper than $90. But modern 12AX7s are really pretty good these days.

The only modern 12AY7 is from Electroharmonix, and it's a good tube. Nothing wrong with it. I understand JJ are tooling up for one, too, but I've not heard it. Good vintage 12AY7s are becoming really expensive.

I'm running a JJ 12AY7 in my 5F1 and am really happy with it.

 

[cybermgk]

Saw this package for $235.
2 TubesGenalex - Gold Lion 6V6GT / CV511
"Perfect Pair" Matching

1 Tubes12AY7
Additional Options

1 TubesNOS 5Y3GT
1 TubesJAN-GE 12AX7WA

I could source those cheaper separately.

50-60 for the Gold Lion 6V6s
10-15 for the 12ay7
20-30 for the NOS 5Y3, or a quality pull
20-36 for the JAN GE 12axyWA

 

[Robert Arthur]

NOS RCA 12ax7a would be the right tube for that, as far as preamp. RCA blackplate power tubes, with re-branded as Sylvania being a nice choice. Both are widely available as NOS tubes, and about the same price as new tubes. That's what the original amp would have as well. RCA 12ax7a will kill the fizziness produced in higher gain situations that is common to modern chinese tubes in particular.

 

[sonar]

I'm a big fan of NOS, but I was thinking more affordable options when recommending the new Tung Sol. My 6V6 stash has depleted down to singles, so they are relegated to my little single ended amps.

For Pre's the new Tung Sols are also good, straight-forward tubes that don't cost a lot. I still prefer taking my chances on puller "nos" pre's (especially on Blackface amps) but it's a game of chance. I'm at about a 70-30 success rate. I think the Tung Sol 12AX7 sounds pretty darn good for a nice price.

The only tube type that I'm still 100% are rectifier tubes. NOS 5Y3's are still abundant, affordable and significantly more robust than current production.