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Which brands of NOS tubes (generally 12AX7's and EL84's) represent the best sound quality, lifespan and value for money? (excluding mullards!)

You are going to find that the most honest answer is "it depends" on *what tone* in *what specific amp* you are going for!

Geez just look at the number of guitarists who used Marshalls and how many of em sound alike... None really!

RCA Blackplates is the most oft heard answer. Amperex BugleBoy's and Telefunkens and Mullards are all loved and admired. But the BEST? You decide that!

There are also folks like GrooveTubes putting out great quality stuff that represent a great value over NOS tubes...

This is a place to use as a launchpad to reams of information:
http://www.guitaramplifierblueprinting.com/index2.html

In the long run I think it's a lot of fun and important to slowly aquire a box of various preamp tubes that are documented so that you know why 2 tubes of the same type or possibly from the same mfgr sound different in your rig.

Enjoy the pursuit of YOUR tone!

Here's some resources for you to bookmark, if you find other tube suppliers (other than GrooveTubes) with good prices I'd always appreciate a heads-up.

http://www.audiotubes.com/

http://www.kcanostubes.com/content/

http://www.vacuumtube.com/

http://thetubestore.com/

http://www.tejastubes.com/

http://www.rru.com/~meo/Guitar/Tubes/

I use TubeTramp brand tubes. They don't dry out my hands like other brands and I'm springtime fresh all day long.

And my amps love me for it

If it has to be NOS, then I'd say GE or Tesla for RL84s. I do like JJ and Ei EL84s though.

Mullards are the best for 12ax7s, but Brimars and RFTs work fine, too.

RML Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 8:51 am Post subject: Re: Best NOS brand

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You are going to find that the most honest answer is "it depends" on *what tone* in *what specific amp* you are going for!

Geez just look at the number of guitarists who used Marshalls and how many of em sound alike... None really!

RCA Blackplates is the most oft heard answer. Amperex BugleBoy's and Telefunkens and Mullards are all loved and admired. But the BEST? You decide that!

There are also folks like GrooveTubes putting out great quality stuff that represent a great value over NOS tubes...

I respectfully disagree with the Groove Tubes comment. I wouldnt give Aspen Pitman any of my hard earned money. I read nothin but bad things about the new Mullard 12ax7 copy tube they did. There quality control needs help, which is why you supposedly pay more to buy from them in the first place. I put them in my little black book right next to BBQ boy....company's not to call!

That's like askin' "What's the best beer?"

Good luck

This debate best summed up by marshman''what`s the best beer'',however IMHO.rml is dead wrong. Groove Tubes are not nos tubes as the question was asked.They are simply new manufacture and relabeld and hugely marked up and resold, this is not an nos tube,simple... Their 12ax7-m is one of the best examples of ''label buying'', if i pay more it must be better? For cheap i`ll take a Tung Sol reissue or a JJ. If you`re talking nos tubes,which i do use. talk to a reputable supplier explain your sound desired, trust him then use your ears. You may find you like new production better,so be it.I personally love nos tubes, I find a huge tonal difference like black and white tv and colour.Syvania,Rca,Jan,Ge, they are all good. Find your choice.Consider nos last aprox 4-5 times longer and they are really a good deal. Plus you get real jaw dropping tone to enjoy for years. good luck!!

borling wrote:however IMHO.rml is dead wrong. Groove Tubes are not nos tubes as the question was asked.

No one said GT=NOS...

Someone jumps into the fray and asks the equivalent of "which Linux distro is best?" They were summarily presented with an alternative to spending big bucks, AND given a set of great links to browse that'll help them become informed purchasers.

For the record, the handful of 12AX7 type preamp tubes I bought there (GT) on a lark sound great and they are cheap, cheap, cheap. ...and my ears are better than 99% of the population, especially of guitarists! lol!

All the religious debate aside, remember this:
If it sounds good, it IS good!

Peace on y'all guitar geeks!

rjgtr wrote:If it has to be NOS, then I'd say GE or Tesla for RL84s. I do like JJ and Ei EL84s though.

Mullards are the best for 12ax7s, but Brimars and RFTs work fine, too.

For sheer "Value" I agree with Richard. RFT and Brimar 12AX7's and GE El84's are excellent value in NOS for superior tone and longevity!

I hate when that happens!

Except for the tubes they have special made for them (GT-12ax7-M, KT-66, 6L6GE) most GT tubes are just tested and relabeled from other brands. The 12ax7-C is a Shuguang, which is a nice tube. The 12ax7-R? versions are all Sovteks. The ECC83S is a JJ.

GT provides a screening and matching service and they charge for it. If you don't like it, then go somewhere else. It's no big deal.

rjgtr wrote:Except for the tubes they have special made for them (GT-12ax7-M, KT-66, 6L6GE) most GT tubes are just tested and relabeled from other brands. The 12ax7-C is a Shuguang, which is a nice tube. The 12ax7-R? versions are all Sovteks. The ECC83S is a JJ.

GT provides a screening and matching service and they charge for it. If you don't like it, then go somewhere else. It's no big deal.

Yes BUT their screening and matching for the 12AX7M is not working.....according to most of the accounts I've read AND the samples that I have purchased. Until i read some good reviews I'm stayin' away from that Led Balloon!

The GT-12ax7-M is a real shame. For the first six months it was a great tube. Lately the QC hasn't been that great, because I've gotten some that aren't as good as the earlier ones. I hope they get it together.

rjgtr wrote:The GT-12ax7-M is a real shame. For the first six months it was a great tube. Lately the QC hasn't been that great, because I've gotten some that aren't as good as the earlier ones. I hope they get it together.

I hope so too BUT the two that I got (had the snap crackle pop after a few hours so a direct comparison was not possible) did not sound as good tone wise as my NOS stuff. Definately a step in the right direction if they can work out the QC issues though.

the winning combo hands down in nos is going to be a combination of pres with the champion tube for outputs,as an all around fav, being the tesla roznov hex ,due to its tone and durability at 50 bucks its the hands down winner.if you put a mullard ,rft ,possibly tesla frame grid or tungsram to work in an 18 you can get many different voices.by simply movin them around. . kt 77 and i are both using brimar portsmouth tank el 84s ,ive never heard better with more headroom.yes even beyond the polams. and the bell ecc83 must be mentioned !mullards brutha from another mutha. for about 140 youve got pretty much any assortment .the distinct advantage to el 84 powered amps ,is that you can actually hear the output tubes working real hard.try that with a superlead and youll see /// disgruntled nieghbors,dogs and cats living together ,human sacrafice.and maybe even dr pittman show up.on a final note after long research rft erfurts are all but extinct. now thats a zany sounding tube! sgt od! forward field observer of the decline.