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Sovtek 12AX7WB Preamp tube
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The Sovtek 12AX7WB/7025 is a warmer, darker budget minded tube.
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Searched Sovtek 12AX7WB Preamp tube in Reviews
You want gain? Sovtek has got you covered! 
| Sound |
First plugging this tube in the primary lead slot of any of my high gain amps (Mesa Mark III, 5150...) there is one thing that comes to mind...GAIN! Sweet sassey mollassey! The gain coming out of this little hot bottle is simple astounding. It is actually very crisp sounding without muddying up bad on the low end (a problem with such high gain tubes). It is a very dark sounding tube, making it great for metal with most of the fundamental tones being focused in the low end and low midrange, but still being very well balanced in the harmonic midrange and a well tempered high end. It isn't doesn't have the screaming tone of the EH 12ax7 or the smooth mids of the JJ tubes, but the Sovtek is a much more gutteral monster...it's very very cool. The WB version is also the more desirable version - possessing more gain, tone, focus and balance than the WA (although the LPS is now marketed as the "high gain" version...)
On clean tones, the Sovtek WB retains it warm and dark personality, giving you nice and deep tones; almost brooding at times - very jazz like, but lacking some in the sparkle department. When mixed with other russian tubes though the well balanced bright on the WB and the excellent harmonics jump out though, and this tube can REALLY shine. I would suggest having one or two of these tubes around to darken up a bright sound or add some extra gain when you wanna slay a hippie party!
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| Reliability |
These tubes don't last forever unfortunately. I swap tubes like it's going out of style. Mainly just to play with my sound, but of all the tubes I swap the most, it seems my Sovtek tubes are always "ticking"...now I've also heard that Sovtek preamp tubes are notorious for being more microphonic than other tubes (probably because they are so high gain!), but the Sovteks also only last about 10% less time than my other russian tubes. Now, when you consider they are GREATLY cheaper than most "high end" tubes, and that they do sound awesome, I would suggest having some around just to play with your sound anyway because they do sound great and when thrown in the tube mix, they can add ALOT to your tone and gain structure.
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| Customer Support |
Wouldn't know. Never had to deal with Sovtek...I just buy their tubes!
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| Liked about it |
1) Gain for MILES!
2) Warm and dark tones, on both lead and clean - perfect for metal.
3) Cheap prices.
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| Didn't like |
1) Sometimes the Sovteks "tick"
2) Sovteks sometimes burn out faster than other tubes.
I would rate this tube a 4 since my Mesa eats preamp tubes for breakfast, but I'm going to give it 5 since I've bought these tubes for low prices and the gain simple can't be beat for high gain metal.
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| Overall satisfaction: |
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5.0 |
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internal use: spec715 spec716
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