TAD JJ ECC83S/12AX7 Tube

I've bought this one for my good old Marshall Valvestate VS100. As it's a hybrid amp, it only has one tube and uses the tube only for the pre-amp section. The power-amp section is solid state.
Valvestates are not tube amps so, if you're a purist, a traditional tube amp lover (and solid state amp hater) you're going to be offended now, because I've never been able to here the difference between tubes that well. A tube is a tube, they're mostly all made in the same factory, same tube, only different label (and price). The difference between an old and a new tube, yes, that's clear, but you're final sound depends on way more things than your tubes. First your guitar, than your speakers, your cables, your pedals and most of all: your fingers. So, to me, a tube doesn't need to be "top-of-the-pop". It just needs to work and this tube is quietly (as far as you can call a Marshall quiet) doing it's job perfectly. I don't use overdrive or distortion pedals, all the boost and distortion comes from the amp (read: the pre-amp = this little tube) itself and, man, it gets loud!
So, if your looking for a reasonable priced, solid tube as a replacement for your old 12AX7, this is the one. Pure solidity.

Je viens d'installer cette lampe sur une tête Blackheart Little Giant (5W), en combinaison avec une lampe de puissance TAD RT871 EL84 STR.

Contexte : EN presque 10 ans, je n'avais jamais remplacé les lampes de ma tête d'ampli. Pendant longtemps, cela ne m'avait pas semblé nécessaire et les lampes d'origine faisaient leur boulot. Mais ces derniers mois, j'avais l'impression que mon son connaissait des baisses d'intensités... jusqu'à ce que des bruits parasites soient clairement audibles et un souffle permanent. (Sans être une spécialiste, j'ai remarqué que la lampe rougeoyait fort alors que je ne la solicitait pas. Je présume qu'il y a d'autres signes qui indiquent que les lampes sont usagées). Je me suis donc décidé à les changer... et j'ai bien eu raison.

J'ai instantanément récupéré un son clair, net, dynamique, assez fidèle au souvenir lointain et aux sensations premières que j'avais eu avec cette petite tête. Quel plaisir retrouvé !

Le son ne me parait pas particulièrement coloré, on a un grain typique qui se situe entre un son tyVOX/Marshall sur ma tête. Le duo qu'elle forme avec la lampe de puissance de la même marque, me semble parfaitement complémentaire.

Evidemment, avec cette lampe neuve, plus de souffle intempestif ni de bruits parasites lorsque je branche ma guitare en direct... (et s'il en vient, je sais que cela vient de mon pedalboard).

Bref, j'ai retenu la leçon, lorsque mes lampes montreront un signe de faiblesse, je n'hésiterai pas en les changer plus rapidement (la manoeuvre était assez simple)... et je choisirai très certainement ce modèle-ci, dont je suis tout à fait content.

Never came across a JJ with microphonic/feedback issues so that's good.

Now, in terms of sound, well...for the V1 position I stopped using contemporary tubes when I had the chance to use NOS Mullards. Does everybody have access (and the money to spend on) NOS tubes? Definitely not. So, in that case I would recommend to use a Tungsol in the V1 and JJs in every other position you want to (including the phase inverter).

If you are on a budget then go for them, they are basic and decent. They will not rock your world but at least they will do the trick and they will probably last for ever.

I bough about 6 tubes for my two tube pedals and one mic preamp. Compared to the others (the six new tubes + the three stock ones), this one's output is really weak, it's gain is soft, compared to the others. I don't know whether this is how it is supposed to work, or it happened I received a faulty one, just it does not behaves as the advertised JJ - "high gain".

Other than that, its sound is good, clear and smooth, no emphasis on narrow bandwidths. I am currently using it on my tube mic preamp, which is a loud device, this valve tames is a bit and I see this JJ well fit for this purpose.

As a minus with the service, all the tubes in the package were just thrown in, and their boxes were found smashed on arrival. The tubes inside were intact, though, I could find no noticeable defects.

JJ valves are great, and these ECC83S's are no different.

I bought these to replace the valves in my Marshall DSL50 as they were old and a mixed bag of brands from a previous owner. I always found the tone of the amp overly bright, and a bit fizzy. The JJs are a little darker sounding, more to my taste. They are harmonically rich, quite tonally rounded and they did reduce the fizz I was used to in the Marshall. I have used JJs in plenty of amps and find them reliable, and the service from Thomann was excellent.

All valves are tonally different and therefore subject to taste and opinion, but these are reliable, warm and overdrive nicely. I'd say if you are unsure on what valves to try, then give this a go because they are reasonably priced a good quality

I have put these in my Line6 DT50 to reduce noise from the cheap tubes. It makes a HECK of a difference.
My amp now sounds like it should and I was worried that these were too cheap. I was wrong!
No need to go NOS or more expensive, these JJs do the trick just fine. I'm going to get some more to put in my other tube amp and also to keep as backup. At this price, I can sort out my amp collection without breaking the bank. I'm very happy about that.

They come well-packed, brand new and were a breeze to fit. No tube wiggling, they just went straight in. Get these!