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  1. Home
  2. Accessories
  3. Amplifier Parts
  4. Tubes for Instrument Amps
  5. ...Preamp Tubes

Guitar Preamp Tubes

22 matches found

Tung-Sol 12AX7 Tube

Tung-Sol 12AX7 Tube

(50)
$27.99
Special Financing Available
Learn More
Mullard 12AT7 Preamp Tube

Mullard 12AT7 Preamp Tube

$29.99
Special Financing Available
Learn More
Groove Tubes GT-12AY7 Select Preamp Tube

Groove Tubes GT-12AY7 Select Preamp Tube

(7)
$36.99
Special Financing Available
Learn More
MESA/Boogie 12AX7 Preamp Tube

MESA/Boogie 12AX7 Preamp Tube

(7)
$26.00
Special Financing Available
Learn More
Mullard 12AX7 Preamp Tube

Mullard 12AX7 Preamp Tube

(15)
$28.82
Special Financing Available
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EVH ECC83/12AX7 Preamp Tubes Duet

EVH ECC83/12AX7 Preamp Tubes Duet

$74.99

Save 10%

Special Financing Available
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Groove Tubes Gold Series GT-ECC83-S Preamp Tube

Groove Tubes Gold Series GT-ECC83-S Preamp Tube

(6)
$31.49
Special Financing Available
Learn More
Sovtek 12AX7WA Preamp Tube

Sovtek 12AX7WA Preamp Tube

(2)
$24.99
Special Financing Available
Learn More
MESA/Boogie EL-84/6BQ5 Power Tubes - Matched Duet

MESA/Boogie EL-84/6BQ5 Power Tubes - Matched Duet

(1)
$61.00
Special Financing Available
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MESA/Boogie SPAX7 Preamp Tube

MESA/Boogie SPAX7 Preamp Tube

(10)
$30.00
Special Financing Available
Learn More
TELEFUNKEN ECC83-TK (12AX7) Preamp Tubes Single

TELEFUNKEN ECC83-TK (12AX7) Preamp Tubes Single

$75.00
Special Financing Available
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TELEFUNKEN ECC82-TK (12AU7) Preamp Tubes Single

TELEFUNKEN ECC82-TK (12AU7) Preamp Tubes Single

$75.00
Special Financing Available
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Groove Tubes Gold Series GT-12AT7 Preamp Tube

Groove Tubes Gold Series GT-12AT7 Preamp Tube

(6)
$31.49
Special Financing Available
Learn More
TELEFUNKEN E88CC-TK (6922) Preamp Tubes Single

TELEFUNKEN E88CC-TK (6922) Preamp Tubes Single

$75.00
Special Financing Available
Learn More
Electro-Harmonix 12AX7EH Preamp Tube

Electro-Harmonix 12AX7EH Preamp Tube

(18)
$24.95
Special Financing Available
Learn More
Ruby ECC83/12AX7A Preamp Tube

Ruby ECC83/12AX7A Preamp Tube

$21.99
Special Financing Available
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Ruby 12AX7AC5 Preamp Vacuum Tube High Grade Plus

Ruby 12AX7AC5 Preamp Vacuum Tube High Grade Plus

From $25.99
Special Financing Available
Learn More
Wathen CryoTone Tubes 12AX7-WCM Preamp Tube

Wathen CryoTone Tubes 12AX7-WCM Preamp Tube

(2)
$108.00
Special Financing Available
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MESA/Boogie 5881 6L6 STR 425 Power Tubes - Matched Duet

MESA/Boogie 5881 6L6 STR 425 Power Tubes - Matched Duet

$99.00
Special Financing Available
Learn More
Wathen CryoTone Tubes ECC83-WC Preamp Tube

Wathen CryoTone Tubes ECC83-WC Preamp Tube

(2)
$102.00
Special Financing Available
Learn More
Wathen CryoTone Tubes 12AX7-WCB Preamp Tube

Wathen CryoTone Tubes 12AX7-WCB Preamp Tube

$117.00
Special Financing Available
Learn More
MESA/Boogie NOS EL-34 STR 450 Siemens Power Tubes - Matched Duet

MESA/Boogie NOS EL-34 STR 450 Siemens Power Tubes - Matched Duet

$225.00
Special Financing Available
Learn More
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For almost a century, musicians have been using amplifiers with their instruments. Tubes have been there since the beginning, and their unmatched sound quality and characteristics have kept tube-based amps at the top of the music scene right up to today. There are three different types of tubes that can be found in an amp, and of those, preamp tubes are easily the most crucial to your final sound. When you want to customize your tube amplifier's voice, the preamp is the place to start. Preamp tubes are also the most common, since they do the heavy lifting of tone generation. While rectifier and power tubes are often left out of hybrid models, any amp that's not entirely solid-state ought to have a preamp tube. The reason for this is that preamp tubes are effectively the voice of the amp, working as translators that convert an electric guitar signal into an audio tone. The impact of changing them could be compared to new guitar strings or drum skins, and just as in those cases, the choice is a personal one.

If you play rock or metal, you might prefer a smoother, bolder tube with distortion-friendly character, whereas a punk or alternative musician will probably choose a tighter and cleaner-sounding tube. Depending on your amp's design and power level, it can have one preamp tube or several. When there is more than one, it's worth taking a look at the amplifier's wiring diagram to see which one comes first in line after the input: that one will have the biggest impact when changed. The secondary preamp tube positions that come after it will then give you the opportunity to combine different tubes to further fine-tune the amp's tone. Whether you're changing tubes for customization or just doing a routine replacement with another of your favorite preamp tubes, you'll find plenty of options here to choose from. You may even like to swap in different tubes for individual songs and venues. With no two tubes sounding exactly alike, a little bit of experimentation should help you discover which ones create the perfect tone and gain for your own style.

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