This page is dedicated to the best High Gain 12AX7 tubes The Gain and Private Stock performance levels are the only ones that are shown on this page as these are the only two performance levels suited to this type of application. Other tube types and performance levels are available for less critical applications - see the home page.
#1) Clean and Accurate , high headroom , low hum and low microphonics . When speed and bass definition are needed this is your 12AX7. In many high gain guitar amps there are 4 or more tubes. Each additional gain stage in amp makes it harder to get a finished sound that is still METAL. To get a tight sound from these amps when they are not right there is a silver bullet. This 12AX7 allows the gain stages to deal with a stronger more accurate signal from which to build a distortion tone. The result is a tighter, more detailed sound in which you can hear more of the amp, more of the guitar.
GAIN for the critical first gain stage.
PRIVATE STOCK For use as a gain stage tube. These are the 1 in 200 tubes you hear about. Unusually high performing tubes, the very best of a lot.
# 3) Bright with slight COMPRESSION and slight distortion. When you want improved performance from the factory supplied tube, this 12AX7 will keep the tone the same while giving you a stronger more agressive sound and feel than when the amp was new!
PRIVATE STOCK When available. For use as a gain stage tube. These are the 1 in 200 tubes you hear about. Unusually high performing tubes, the very best of a lot.