tube info for a MXL960

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guitar junkie

guitar junkie

Guitar User.
Ok so I shelled out some money for the MXL 960 and it should be here early next week, can't wait!

I know some people are taking them apart and putting a new tube in them, anybody got a link to a good tube to drop in one, that doesn't cost a whole lot of cash?

And a link to some how to tips on changing the tube out?:confused:

Never done anything like this before so help a newbi out:)
 
The NOS GE 5-star black plate triple mica (or JAN version) 5965 or 6072 (I forget which) are frequently recommended.

You might also look into tubes by Sovtek. That's the stock tube in the AT4060.

Ei has some Telefunken knockoffs that might be good for preamps. Not sure how they'd do in mics. The new Tung Sol tubes also get good reviews---again not sure how they'd do in mics.

Sent from my iPhone.
 
guitar junkie said:
Ok so I shelled out some money for the MXL 960 and it should be here early next week, can't wait!

I know some people are taking them apart and putting a new tube in them, anybody got a link to a good tube to drop in one, that doesn't cost a whole lot of cash?

And a link to some how to tips on changing the tube out?:confused:

Never done anything like this before so help a newbi out:)
Click to expand...

http://www.tubedepot.com/nos-12at7-mullard.html

This store has always been good to me, and the price for a NOS Mullard is great. I'm using a NOS 12AT7 in my 960 right now, and the results are really quite good! A true 12AY7 would be better, but they are pricier tubes and the 12AT7 will work out pretty well. A little more gain and the impedance is different, but certainly better than the ultra high gain Chinese 12AX7 (even though they claim 12AT7) in there right now...

As for changing the tube, it couldn't be easier. Simply unscrew the whole bottom of the mic, slide the metal case down, and you'll see the tube right there. I unscrewed one of the rubber retainer screws to make life a little easier, then gently took the old tube out and plugged the new one in it's place. Simple! Put it back together and enjoy, it's a nice sounding mic.
 
looks interesting!

I read where Harvey thinks they do fine as stock, so I will try that before spending MORE money on this mic.
 
I have not been inside a 960 but I have two v69ms.

The tube type does not matter that much with the v69m circuit because of the way it is designed. I traced a bit of the circuit and it has two 1/2s of a dual triode wired in parallel. It is setup as a gain stage :HOWEVER there is a feedback cap from plate to grid about the same value as the capsule cap making it to be a close to gain of -1 amp if I trace it right. The PCB has a fet and two transistors and a module. I did not trace anymore of the circuit

Tube noise and microphonics will be important.
 
...frankly, I've been upgrading the stock tubes in my tube mics for quite some time...in the case of the 960 (or most of the Chinese tube mics) the clearly superior choice is the GE 6072 or 6072A (a 12AY7 variant)...Electro Harmonix does make a version that's still better than the stock tubes, but for a few dollars more you should still be able to find a GE version...

...the stock tubes are Chinese 12AX7 or 12AT7 versions...those, along with their Russian counterparts (Sovtek) actually test out well for microphonics, but don't exhibit the same audiophonic characteristics of the vintage NOS GE 6072 tubes...

...check eBay for "6072 tube", "6072A tube" or "JAN 6072" (military issued) and then look for GE versions (the 5-Star Triple-Mica is the "holy grail" of 6072 variations)...you should notice a bit more bottom and a cleaner top-end once the tube is swapped, although the 960 is voiced with a smoother top-end then the V69, so the difference is not as noticeable...

...the swap is easy since the mic has a socket mount for the tube...it is advised to clean the pins of any NOS tube with contact cleaner (and dry thoroughly) before mounting the new tube...contact cleaner is available at Radio Shack...
 
well word has it that my mic is already in town, and should be here sometime tomorrow!
 
it came today a little after 1:30 in the afternoon....

I let it warm up a while, let the tube cook, until the mic kind of felt warm to the touch, and let fly with some vocals.... Mid range is more defined than anything I had before this, highs are as smooth as Harvey said they were, lows are very clean, without being very boomy.... at least in my room!

I can't wait to change over to the new studio and see how it sounds when I get everything patched in, early next week.
 
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