Replacing the preamp tube in a Marshall AVT 150

RICARDO1982

Hi lads i have got a Marshall AVT 150 recently while it is working fine, i seen on reviews that replacing the EEC83/12AX7 Valve in the preamp can improve the sound further and is a serviceable item that requires replacement every few years, usally upgrading it for a better brand...Have any of you done this before.. and can i buy these in dublin anywhere. Thanks in advance:)

RICARDO1982

i have seen Xmusic sell them ,, is it a worthwhile upgrade??

Paolo_M

Your best bet is on-line still for buying valves, better selection and prices etc.

What's wrong with your current tone? What do you want to change?

Replacing valves generally produces different results, there's no "better".
And by different I mean just about noticeable, there's no night and day difference.

Even different valves of the same brand sound slightly different.

There's a lot of internet hype on this that's not actually based on anything tangible.

If there's something specific you're looking to achieve then let us know, you can't achieve a goal that you didn't set.
Having said that, sometimes a change for changes sake is a good thing so in that case try any different brand, it doesn't matter.

Demeyes

I doubt you're going to get much improvement from changing the tube in there. Preamp tubes normally last years without replacement, so I wouldn't say it needs replacing. It should change your tone a little but I doubt it will be very noticeable.

blackdog2

RICARDO1982 wrote: »

Hi lads i have got a Marshall AVT 150 recently while it is working fine, i seen on reviews that replacing the EEC83/12AX7 Valve in the preamp can improve the sound further and is a serviceable item that requires replacement every few years, usally upgrading it for a better brand...Have any of you done this before.. and can i buy these in dublin anywhere. Thanks in advance:)

Not entirely sure on this, but would replacing the valve in a valvestate-type amp have a noticeable effect on the sound? Given that it is mainly solid-state(And not saying this in a derogatory way, have an AVT-20 at home )

RICARDO1982

Thanks for the replies lads, i will pick up one and give it a try they are small money around 20, it is supposed to give a slight improvement in tone??? But if not then i have a spare:) thanks again

Paolo_M

RICARDO1982 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies lads, i will pick up one and give it a try they are small money around 20, it is supposed to give a slight improvement in tone??? But if not then i have a spare:) thanks again

Just out of interest; what does that mean?

Tone is not only subjective to each player, but it also depends on context.
I can never understand a statement like this, but perhaps I'm missing the context?

Grolschevik

I think I read that the preamp valve in the Valvestate series doesn't just slot into a standard valve base, but is soldered in? If so, replacing it is a trickier proposition. But I'd say Paolo knows for sure...!

RICARDO1982

Thanks again for your replies lads......I am making a presumption based on what i have read on other guitar tech forums, i am well aware that tone differs from player to player, guitar to guitar, etc. . i am only curious to see if any improvement can be gained from the amps tone, i am aware it may make no difference whatsoever, and i end up with a spare valve i can use as an ornament:) I posted this as i find this quite informative and most seem to have a pretty good grasp of all this jargon, i have little knowledge in the internal workings of the amp.. So Paolo do you have any idea is it plug in or solder in?? Thanks in advance

RICARDO1982

If it is soldered in i would probably not bother as i do not have a small soldering iron at present

roast

I believe the newer Valvestates have the tube soldered directly in, the older ones have a socket. Its not a huge job to replace it though if it was one of the newer models, I would imagine, if you're handy with an iron.

Just an FYI - while some people might say the tone would be better, others would say the tone would be worse. Its all personal preference. Do you know what tone you're trying to achieve? Or is this just a case of wanting to fiddle with the amp? (I'd be the latter.... I love to mod stuff... :pac: )

RICARDO1982

just wanting to tweak the amp and see if there is any difference:)