puttin' new tubes into a marshall tsl

StringSkunk

im looking to replace the stock EL34 and maybe preamp tubes in my TSL602, but im not really sure what combinations/ types/ watever are acceptable or compatible. for preamp tubes, i have heard good things about the JJ and Tung Sol ECC83s/12AX7s, what are your opinions of these tubes, or other preamp tubes? also, i have seen a people saying that they've used like 1 Tung Sol in V1 and 3 JJs or other brand in the other 3 sockets for the preamp tubes. what is the purpose of this? or am i just crazy and making that up in my head somehow...

also, for the power tubes, what are some opinions for either replacing the EL34s with either just new ones of a better brand, replacing them with E34Ls, or maybe a KT66/ KT77 kinda thing??

im kinda a tube noob, so any advice/ heckling is, uh, appreciated haha

BritishSteel · Sea Monkey Joined: 29 May 2008 Posts: 14

When it comes to tube amps the "what sounds good" question covers A LOT of ground. Tubes come in different flavors. What do you want your amp to do, what type of music do play 90% of the time. Before you go getting into what tube sounds like what where. The first thing is to get a set of good sounding, new, high quality set of tubes in there. JJ Tubes are the best in my opinion, thats all I use and the service is great. They sell retube kits for most major amps that have matched sets in one package. While we're on the subject you don't just replace tubes like lightbulbs and go (unless you own a Peavey or similar amp) you need to have the bias checked for optimum performance. If you are going to change tubes types you HAVE TO REBIAS
*Caution: poking around inside a tube amp when turned off and unplugged WILL STILL KILL YOU so be carefull

StringSkunk · Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 6:50 pm Post subject:

thanks man, yea im probably gonna go with a set of JJs when i retube. they r pretty cheap on ebay

BritishSteel · Sea Monkey Joined: 29 May 2008 Posts: 14

For what it's worth I would not by tubes on eBay from just anybody. Hell I wouldn't buy them on eBay ever. It's not worth getting bad or used tubes and having to argue. Get them direct. Thats my personal opinion. Good Luck