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5. Tube Installation and Replacement
5. Tube Installation and Replacement
5. Tube Installation and Replacement
5. Tube Installation and Replacement
Choice of Tube Types
Choice of Tube Types
Choice of Tube Types
Choice of Tube Types
I currently recommend the following tube types:
No.
Type and Brand
Function
V1
Tung-Sol 12AX7
1
st
Gain Stage, FX Receiver
V2
Tung-Sol 12AX7
2
nd
Gain Stage, Cathode follower, FX driver
V3
Tung-Sol 12AX7
Phase Inverter
V4,V5
TAD EL84-STR
Power Output
Preamp Tubes V1 ,V2, V3
Preamp Tubes V1 ,V2, V3
Preamp Tubes V1 ,V2, V3
Preamp Tubes V1 ,V2, V3
I’ve found that the Tung Sol 12AX7 is the best sounding new-production 12AX7 for this
amp. The Majesty will reveal differences in the sound of different tube brands quite a
bit more than the “American” voiced Tone King models (e.g. Imperial, Sky King, Falcon,
etc.). Whereas Tone King’s “American” voiced amps still more or less retain their
intended sonic characteristics with just about any brand of preamp tube, a lot of the
Majesty’s “magic” will be lost with the wrong kind of preamp tubes.
Although I recommend the Tung Sol 12AX7 as the most suitable new production
12AX7, you may well find that certain NOS 12AX7s may give even better results. I can’t
comment on this from experience, as I have not yet had the opportunity to try many
NOS 12AX7s in the Majesty.
Power Output Tubes V4 & V5
Power Output Tubes V4 & V5
Power Output Tubes V4 & V5
Power Output Tubes V4 & V5
The Majesty is supplied with TAD EL84-STR tubes. For the Majesty amp, these are my
favorites of the current production EL84s. They have the signature glassiness and
crunch you expect from EL84s, but they compress a bit less than other types, and have
a thicker, more powerful sound (especially in the bottom end) that makes them sound
great clean as well as overdriven.