question about tubes

[BluesNRock87]

good brands if i want clean headroom

my amp currently has

1 EH 12AX7
1 Sovtek 12AX7
2 unmarked tubes (i assume to be 12AX7, thats what the manual says it has)

4 sovtek EL84

i want as much clean headroom as i can get on the clean channel (right???) and i want good distortion, yet not tooo high gain on the dirty channel

i am going for classic rock blues tones



on a stupider level, whats the purpose of the metal coverings over the 12AX7's? the twist off, spring loaded....? also, good site for how-to change tubes?

[Reckless Abandon]

For headroom you want a power tube that will break up late. www.eurotubes.com
There is a phone number call it and talk tubes with bob he will find you something.

[Gearjoneser]

Tesla JJ's across the board should work great. That's what Matchless uses in their amps, and they know what's up. My Chieftain loses all headroom if I use any AX7's
other than Tesla JJ. I even tried all other brands, then realized they were right to start with.

[That90'sGuy]

I second the Tesla JJs... great stuff. Cleans and distortions are all quality. It appears as if I lose a bit of gain, but the pure tone I get makes it worth it.

[Falstaff]

Have you thought of substituting a 5751 in one of the positions? Depending on your amp, that might give you a bit more headroom. I only know that from Fenders, though.

[BluesNRock87]

yea, that was recomended to me, trying a 5751 in slot V1, but than do i use 12ax7 for the other 3?

i think im def. gonna get new tubes, its a 1998 amp, original tubes and speaker....


also the metal things anyone?

[Stevo]

also the metal things anyone?

They absorb heat.