Which 12AY7 Tubes?

[kd]

I need to get some NOS 12AY7 tubes for my 5E3 Deluxe and 5E7 Bandmaster clones. I'm seeing RCA's and GE's but don't have any experience with either. What is your favorite NOS 12AY7 tube?

Thanks,
Ken

[Plexi]

6072, although the GE or RCA should be fine, just buy some that are pre test,so you don't have to go through a bunch to find good ones.

[kd]

Thanks for the info Richie, much appreciated.

Ken

[Bacchus]

Hey KD, I know that the RCA black plates are hard to beat but I'm running a NOS Westinghouse 12AY7 in my 5F8a Tweed Twin and I'm very pleased with it.

I also tried a EH 12AY7 in it and I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised...

Cheers.

[kd]

Thanks Bacchus. Is the EH a new production tube? I'm running one now in my 5E3 and it doesn't sound bad at all. I thought maybe I'm missing something by not using NOS, maybe not.

Ken

[defy]

Hey GUYS,

i'm using the EH 12AY7 at the moment in a 5E3 style circuit and it sounds fine. It is the only EH tube I will actually use (due to previous bad experiences with power and rect tubes) it was also just about the only 12AY7 I could get, too. It compares well, though, with the 5751's and 12AT7's I've been trying - which included some mullards and philips!

[DowdyLama]

My favorite 'AY7 is the Tung-Sol.

[LP26]

I'm using JAN GE 6072a in my 5E3 and getting great tone.

The RCA 6V6 blackplates in there don't hurt either!

[bigtbluesman]

Hi,

I must agree that the GE 6072A is a "five-star" NOS tube. I am useing them in the V1 position of my Victoria 210-35. Killer tone, as the V1 tube really colors the tone chain of the amp..

I am going to use them and replace the NOS Raytheons I have in my tweed twin and tweed bassman as well.

They are a little difficult to score, so, good luck,

Big T

[kd]

Thanks guys.


Ken