Are all current production tubes mediocre?

General discussion area for tube amps.

Moderators: pompeiisneaks, Colossal

User avatar
Milkmansound
Posts: 470
Joined: Wed Apr 20, 2011 6:55 pm
Contact:

Re: Are all current production tubes mediocre?

Post by Milkmansound »

Copy that - Ruby tubes. 6 month warranty is very helpful. TAD 7025's are also great.

I'm never using JJ or Tung Sol again. they won't last a year without some sort of issue

EH 12AY is also ok

Just based on my personal experiences
brentm
Posts: 391
Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2011 3:55 pm
Location: Olympia. It's the water!

Re: Are all current production tubes mediocre?

Post by brentm »

Milkmansound wrote:Copy that - Ruby tubes. 6 month warranty is very helpful. TAD 7025's are also great.

I'm never using JJ or Tung Sol again. they won't last a year without some sort of issue

EH 12AY is also ok

Just based on my personal experiences
I haven't had to use a Ruby warranty yet. But I did buy a set of power tubes directly from TAD in Germany. One of them developed a rattle that was annoying and they sent a new tube, without any sort of hassle.
User avatar
Milkmansound
Posts: 470
Joined: Wed Apr 20, 2011 6:55 pm
Contact:

Re: Are all current production tubes mediocre?

Post by Milkmansound »

I've only used the warranty on the 12AX7CZ's which are JJ's. I'm not going to use those anymore. I'll be using their own 12ax from now on.

The ruby power tubes are great. I've only heard that rattling sound from JJ's 6L and 6V. I won't use those anymore because I only build combo amps and it's a big problem to hear that rattle.
User avatar
George61
Posts: 103
Joined: Sun Jun 12, 2011 10:14 am
Location: York Haven, Pennsylvania USA

Re: Are all current production tubes mediocre?

Post by George61 »

I got the Tung-Sol 12AX7's and I like them. They are more lively and vibrant than the other sets of tubes that I've tried in my 36 watter. I can run the guitar (humbuckers) wide open and the amp doesn't crap out. With Tun-Sol's in the preamp, JJ EL84's in the power amp, and a Sovtek GZ34 this amp has a nice bright sound with a good bit of clean headroom. With the volume turned down to 2 this amp has a rockabilly sound that a Fender amp can only dream about; lots of high end - no ice pick.

So the score is JJ ECC83s - mediocre. Screened (Mesa) Shuguang 12AX7-A - better. Current production Tung-Sol 12AX7 - good.

I think I will order the pre-war Ei tubes on payday. My question is; does this buying tubes thing ever end? It's getting expensive.

This Ceriatone 36 watter was my first project and now that I have it working to my satisfaction, I have a bit of confidence. I have most of the parts for a Trainwreck Rocket so I think I will start on it now that I think I almost know what I am doing.

Solder on,
George
User avatar
Paul-in-KC
Posts: 197
Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2012 8:57 pm
Location: Kansas City (metro area)

Re: Are all current production tubes mediocre?

Post by Paul-in-KC »

Reeltarded wrote:Ahh.. you got tubes made by that one kid.. a legend.

His name is Chu Shwang Li Ir, but his friends call him Mike. :roll:
I don't care who you are - that's funny :!: :D
Post Reply