Let's talk tubes.

[Eigen]

Thought it would be interesting to see what tubes the members of the forum are using in their amps and why:

I'll go first:

Peavey Classic 20
V1: 60's Mullard I63 - Not much to say really, classy ECC83 with a nice vintage growl.
V2: 60's Phillips Miniwatt/Amperex ECC82 - I find it nice and transparent with very nice chime.
Power: 2 x mid-80's 6P14P-ER (Old Reflektor EL-84, with >10k vs. 3k hour lifespan)

I wasn't sure if I would like the the 6P14P-ER but I must say I am damn impressed would go so far as too say they are perhaps my favorite "cheap" tubes, they certainly obliterate all new production tubes I have tried for about the same price. Would definitively recommend them to anyone looking for some old tubes on a budget and anyone rocking on a AC15/AC30 tube cooker.

Have to say that I am very happy with my tone with the aforementioned tubes.

BTW: I have a couple 60's Phillips Miniwatt/Amperex ECC82 on hand, if anyone is interested in a tube trade of sorts?


Later,
Eigen

[TWANG]

"Twang, tubes are not as important as the Interociter, which as you know, contains 2,468 parts!"

[lespaul01]

Here is my back up set.. I have the exact setup in my amp right now.. Except all Amperex Bugle Boy, Heerlen Hollands in the Preamp at this particular moment.

1 X Amperex Heerlen, Holland Bugle Boy 5AR4/GZ34 - 1957 Double D Getter
4 X Amperex Sittard, Holland Bugle Boy El84/6BQ5 - 1958 D Getters
1X Amperex Ontario, Canada Bugle Boy 7025A/12AX7A V1 Early 1960's
1 X Mullard Blackburn, England 12AX7/ECC83 V2 Early 1960's
1 X Amperex Heerlen, Holland Bugle Boy(The Fisher) 12AX7/ECC83 - V3 Early 1960's

I am always rolling tubes at least 2 times a week. Usually switching between Vintage Short & Long Plates. Mullard, Amperex, GE, Sylvania, Marconi, Westinghouse, Raytheon, RCA, CBS, Matsushita.. Lots of fun..

[cochrane]

In the Champ: 12AX7A, 5Y3, greyplate 6V6GT, all '60s RCA (got a nice deal for the trio and fancied finding out what all the NOS fuss amounted to).

Greyplate RCA 6L6GC on the way to try out too, having done Lyle Caldwell's output tube screen resistor mod.

[mudfinger]

My nostrils are all full of cork when it comes to tubes. NOS.

That said, I have a pair of EH 6V6s and some random 12-series tubes on hand, just in case...

[rocknhorse1]

I like to sniff some cork when it come to tubes as well.
Phaez JTM 18....V1 60's Mullard ECC83/AX7....V2 early 60's Holland Amperex (same as Bugleboy, labeled Zenith)12AX7....V3 60's GE long black plate 12AT7...2 X Amperex Sittard factory EL84's with the box getters.

Champ...V1 RCA 12AX7A, V2, GE 12AX7A, 40's GE 5Y3, early 50's CBS Hytron 6V6GT, or 40's RCA blackplate 6V6GT...I have others for it as well.

Phaez Asheville. V1, Brimar CV4004....V2 60's Mullard 12AX7... V3, 60's Amperex Holland 12AX7....V4, JJ ECC83. Power tubes are new production Tung Sol KT66's.

Various other old glass haning around.

[Cygnus X1]

I'm running some real cool looking things that look like Coke bottles.

[bufbills]

Ill play. In my JTM18:

V1 early 60s Mullard 12ax7
V2 & 3 Amperex Holland (Heerlen) 12ax7s
Power tubes are El84 and also Heerlen Holland.

The above set sounds great clean and dirty, quiet and loud. I doubt that I could easily find tubes that could top them. Ive been wanting to try a GE 12at7 in V3 but cant bring myself to pull the Amperex out.

I tried some Sylvania blackplate EL84s in it, but like I read, they break up early, and I just couldn't spare the headroom. Great sounding tubes though.

[jiveturkey1]

I have the chinese tubes that came with my SIBLY 'cause I haven't ordered a set from lespaul01 yet.

[rocknhorse1]

Ha! I just called the music store down the street asking if they had some 12AX7's. The said "we have some used stuff that tests good" so I took my magnifying glass down and walked out with a vintage Telefunken ECC83, and a vintage Tungsram ECC83....for $5 apiece!!! Cool deal. Now I have to do some research to see how much they are worth. There is a certain kind of Telefunken ECC803 that the hifi guys pay $800 for, but it's not that good of a guitar amp tube.

[bufbills]

Originally Posted by rocknhorse1

Ha! I just called the music store down the street asking if they had some 12AX7's. The said "we have some used stuff that tests good" so I took my magnifying glass down and walked out with a vintage Telefunken ECC83, and a vintage Tungsram ECC83....for $5 apiece!!! Cool deal. Now I have to do some research to see how much they are worth. There is a certain kind of Telefunken ECC83 that the hifi guys pay $800 for, but it's not that good of a guitar amp tube.

Nice hit. If you even look at the tele label wrong it will disappear right before your eyes. careful.

[rocknhorse1]

Telefunken is their "export" model, and was likely made in Berlin. The export model doesnt have a factory code, has a small label, and always says "made in Western Germany" on them. This has all of that and has a date code of June 1961....great score, very expensive tube, and they sound killer. This is going to go somewhere in the Asheville, or I will try it in the PI of the JTM 18.

[straightblues]

I have well over 100 tubes of many varieties and manufactures. For example, I have more than 50 12ax7 tubes from Old Mullards to new Chinese stuff and everything in between. Mostly are pulls that I have bought from swap-meets, yard sales and Ebay. Whenever I get a new amp I spend several hours swapping tubes in and out of it until I get the amp to sound great. I don't look at the tubes and just use my ears. I am always surprised to find out in the end what tubes I have choosen. Sometimes current tubes win, but most the time vintage tubes win. Once I find the combination that works best in the amp, I then go buy backups of those tubes if I don't already have backups. I sometimes buy NOS versions for big bucks and use the ones I have chosen as backups. Yes, tubes do make a big difference.

[bufbills]

Originally Posted by rocknhorse1

Telefunken is their "export" model, and was likely made in Berlin. The export model doesnt have a factory code, has a small label, and always says "made in Western Germany" on them. This has all of that and has a date code of June 1961....great score, very expensive tube, and they sound killer. This is going to go somewhere in the Asheville, or I will try it in the PI of the JTM 18.

Is it a smooth or ribbed plate? Does it have the diamond on the bottom in the middle of the pins?

[rocknhorse1]

Originally Posted by bufbills

Is it a smooth or ribbed plate? Does it have the diamond on the bottom in the middle of the pins?

Ribbed, diamond on the bottom (first thing I checked...I had my magnifying glass with me). It's real, trust me.

Couldn't find too much about the Tungsram. What is left of the date code I would guess early 70's or late 60's...double supports on the getter yada, yada. I will put this in V1 of the Soul Tramp. The Tele is in the PI, or the effect loop spot of the Asheville. The Telefunkens leave the sound "uncolored" and it's why the hifi guys like them...PI, or effect loop would be the best spot for it.

[bufbills]

Nice. I figured you knew what to look for. I recently researched them, and in addition to John, I was able to find some other great resources.

[lespaul01]

Originally Posted by rocknhorse1

Telefunken is their "export" model, and was likely made in Berlin. The export model doesnt have a factory code, has a small label, and always says "made in Western Germany" on them. This has all of that and has a date code of June 1961....great score, very expensive tube, and they sound killer. This is going to go somewhere in the Asheville, or I will try it in the PI of the JTM 18.

Nice score bro.. Nothing better than $5 tubes....

Yah, I have seen some pairs of teles got for $1800+-

[Fracture]

Just stocked up, EL84 matched quad, EH 6V6's, bunch of Mullards 12AX7.

My laziness caused me to miss an auction for (4) RCA blackplate 6L6GC matched quad ANOS.
These are like $200 ea, and the whole lot went for $215.

[jason_mazzy]

I tried out the new tungsol 6l6gc's. Not bad. not bad at all.

[lespaul01]

Here is some of my emergency stash.. all tubes pre 1965

Lets hope it is not too big of an emergency..

[rocknhorse1]

Originally Posted by jason_mazzy

I tried out the new tungsol 6l6gc's. Not bad. not bad at all.

I have a set of the new production Tung Sol KT66's that I LOVE. They are very much like a 6L6GC as far as specs...with a few quirks.

[scooter]

Originally Posted by rocknhorse1

Ribbed, diamond on the bottom (first thing I checked...I had my magnifying glass with me). It's real, trust me.

Couldn't find too much about the Tungsram. What is left of the date code I would guess early 70's or late 60's...double supports on the getter yada, yada. I will put this in V1 of the Soul Tramp. The Tele is in the PI, or the effect loop spot of the Asheville. The Telefunkens leave the sound "uncolored" and it's why the hifi guys like them...PI, or effect loop would be the best spot for it.

A little FYI. The Tele's came in a smooth plate and a ribbed plate variety. The smooth plate is regarded as the better variation. A good, high testing smooth plate tube will sell for 30-50 bucks. Tele's are in my opinion great for V2 positions or V1 if your looking for a clear clean tone - I like a bit more grit in the V1. For PI postion, put a matched cheap tube there as there is zero tone generated there. Early/mid sixties tungsrams are decent tubes - much better than what you will get today but nothing one would go out of their way to aquire. I have a couple of these and never really use them much.

[rocknhorse1]

I actually regard my PI positions nearly as important as V1. At high master settings it is breaking up, and you are hearing the tube. I don't buy into the "matched" thing for PI tubes any longer. Just my opinion though. Pretty sure it's the Tele 803S that everyone is after.

[FLICKOFLASH]

I been seeing loads of NOS tubes at Fleamarkets I got a Raytheon 6V6/GT/G today for 25 cents

One dealer had boxes and boxes 2 bucks per tube

[randelli]

I have a 6V6 Groove Tube I bought in 2005. Does that count?

[FLICKOFLASH]

Originally Posted by FLICKOFLASH

I been seeing loads of NOS tubes at Fleamarkets I got a Raytheon 6V6/GT/G today for 25 cents

One dealer had boxes and boxes 2 bucks per tube

I really need someone to clue me on what to look for did see 12ax7 made in holland two weeks ago

Tons of RCA stuff and the coke bottle shaped ones

[rocknhorse1]

There are lots of coke bottle shaped ones you cant use in a guitar amp. A 6V6 G is a coke bottle shaped 6V6 that you can use. They are not as robust as a 6V6GT and you have to watch plate voltage.
The Holland 12AX7 was likely an Amperex, and you should have grabbed it...they sound fantastic. If it has the silkscreened cartoon tube guy on it it's a "Bugleboy" and they can fetch a lot of money if new, and in the box. There is a lot to know about tubes, and codes, plate structure, getters...blah. blah, blah, but it's all on the web.

[lespaul01]

Originally Posted by FLICKOFLASH

I really need someone to clue me on what to look for did see 12ax7 made in holland two weeks ago

Tons of RCA stuff and the coke bottle shaped ones

Sure, Philips Amperex Bugle Boy 12AX7's are one of the most Famous 12AX7 tubes from Holland. If you see an old tube with Holland on it it is Likely an Amperex, not always, but most cases.

Other than maybe Mullard 12AX7, could be the most Famous 12AX7 ever.

Those are Made in many Philips Plants including several in Holland. The tubes made in Heerlen & Sittard Holland are some of the nicest tubes IMO.. I like them more than the Mullard..

Mullard are made by Philips as well..

Check out these Mullards I grabbed about 6 months ago..

They were from 62, Mullard Blackburn and were Labeled for a Company Called Torvac.. They were nice, I sold all of em though.. Didn't even save myself any.. Now in my defense I prefer the Amperex in my Vox and saved a few others.. But, people I sold them to months ago are still all over me looking for more..
Also, some of those Philips tubes with Rogers labels are Holland as well as Mullard Blackburn.. IMO Mullard and Amoerex are very close, Mullards have a darker tone but a gorgeous dark..

[rocknhorse1]

On the Mullards, especially the re-brands look for the code "I61" or "I63" and then a "B" followed by 3 consecutive numbers. The I61's were made late 50's early 60's, and the I63 were mid to late 60's. The "B" means the "Blackburn" factory, the rest of the numbers are the change code, and other codes.

[lespaul01]

Originally Posted by rocknhorse1

I don't buy into the "matched" thing for PI tubes any longer. Just my opinion though.

Hey Richard.. Whadda mea.. Like you don't think the preamp tubes need to be closely matched.. I would agree there..

or

Do you mean the PI does not need to be balanced, not having balanced triodes..


I personally don't really care about matched tubes, but I like individual tubes to be fairly balanced..

Some say they get more/better gain and better tone from unbalanced tubes..

I know you love the 12AT7 in the PI and I have read many articles that the PI has an large effect on the tone of the amp. I know in my case it does.. I tried many 12AT7's in my V3 but for some reason it seemed to make the tone harsh, maybe even thin..
For this particular amp, 12AX7A, 7025A or 7025 are the key to this PI..

Cheers bud.