I, too, have an EV12L in my 1x12" closed-back, front-ported cab.  Not completely sold on it just yet, but I haven't been able to really get it up to gig levels, so...I did really like the 1265 clone (Warehouse Speaker) I had in the cab before. 

I also changed my preamp tubes, JJ 12AXY (stock) in v1, NOS Phillips JAN 12at7 in v2, and an NOS 5751 in the PI position.  Sounds great, trimmer at about 10:30, PAB & OD engaged.  I also replaced the v2 snubbers to 330pf@500v, and the bass pot cap to .001uf@600v.  That really helped smooth out the top end on the OD side.

As far as power tubes go, I've heard good things about Winged C's, but I'd probably opt to have the amp biased after putting 'em in there.

Didn't Larry Carlton use EMG's on his Valley Arts Strat-style?  If so, I'd say that's a pretty damn GREAT blues tone.  Prince uses them, too, and his tone is MASSIVE.  I'm not 100% on this, but EMG's always struck me as "hi-fi" sounding, so you may need to do some serious tweaking with the OTS to get 'em sounding just right.  Good luck!

When did you get your OTS?  I just got mine a few weeks ago & it's snubbers are still at 390pf.

Quick question, because I'm still getting to know the amp:

If the PAB in on, doesn't that take all the tone controls out of the signal path?  In essence, would it matter where you set the T/M/B if the PAB is engaged?

Thanks, Hywelg!

Well, upon closer inspection, the arrow is visible on both sides of the trimmer (a fact that was lost on me due to the low light I was working in).

In either case, if I'm standing in front of the chassis, with the knobs closest to me, would I adjust the trimmer as if turning it clockwise turns towards the knobs, or as if turning it clockwise turns towards the back of the amp?

Right, I've read that whole thread, however:

http://ceriatoneforum.com/index.php?topic=552.msg4245#msg4245

In this thread, bluesfenderman says that we should be adjusting the trimmer from the OTHER SIDE (the trimmer is on the LEFT hand side of the board if you're looking at the chassis with the knobs closest to you). 

So, I ask again, first, can we all agree that if we're looking at the chassis with the knobs closest to us, that the "middle" trimmer, the left-most being the FET, and the right-most being the PI, is the OD trimmer?  If so, which side should we be looking at for adjustment purposes?  I look at the side with the arrow, at least one person disagrees with that.

Thanks!

Quick question, when setting the OD trimmer, which side are you looking at?  I was looking towards the inputs (the side with the arrow), but read somewhere on here that it was actually the other side that was 'correct'.  Thanks!

WOW!  That is one great looking amp.  Did you build the cabs yourself?

From all I've read, yes, it IS time for a D-lator/Klein.

Dumbleseeker, I wouldn't say its necessary, however, if you decide to invest in one or two NOS tubes, why not go the whole way, right.  If you're buying new tubes, EH, JJs, etc, nah, just buy the specific tube(s) you need & leave the other(s) in there.

If you're replacing power tubes, however, yeah, you should replace them in pairs (or quartets) with matched set(s). 

Best of luck!

Thanks for the info, Bluestone.

I'm currently using a JJ 12AX7 in V1, a NOS JAN 12AT7 in V2, and a NOS 5751 in the PI position with JJ 6L6s.  Sounds good with the internal trimmer around 10:30.  I'm very happy.

BTW, the Speaker Warehouse ET65 (their version of the venerable Celestion G1265) sounds REALLY good with this amp.  I have it housed in a supposed Fuchs 1x12" closed-back, front-ported cab.  I gotta take some pics of this rig!

Where does the 12AT7 fall in relation to the 12AX7 - 12AU7?  And in relation to the 5751?

Just to be sure, if the OTS is tubes up & you're looking at it from the back (tubes "in front", OT/PT "in back"), V1 is furthest from the pwr tubes, V2 is in the middle, and the tube closest to the pwr tubes is the PI?

Thanks!

Check out gabkits.com, they've got options on a bunch of different colors.  Unfortunately, they don't have any pictures of the cabs in different tolex.