New Prod Tubes as reverb driver

[Milkmansound]

Any of you guys notice the difference between current production 12AT7's as a reverb driver in a Fender versus the originals? It is night and day - the new tubes do not seem to drive the tank very well in comparison to the old tubes. Its still more than enough reverb - and may even be better in terms of dialing in an appropriate reverb sound... but still!

[Firestorm]

Even among NOS 12AT7s, there were some that made good reverb drivers and others that sucked: different plate styles and wildly inconsistent plate current.

I don't think I've ever seen anybody do a "taste test" on 12AT7s the way everybody likes to do with 12AX7s and output tubes. Maybe some of us should; I'll bet there are reasonable new production 12AT7s out there.

[Milkmansound]

well, I think I am doing the taste test right now whether I like it or not!

so far JJ's are thumbs down

going to try the Ruby 12AT next

actually, as a general rule, I have been avoiding JJ tubes for every position in my amps except for the rectifier. I started out with all JJ's, and have been slowly disappointed as I have moved down the line starting with the output tubes, then the preamp tubes, and now this

[Firestorm]

There's a lot of variation even from the same manufacturer. Do you have a tube tester? Measuring transconductance and plate current at fixed settings tells a lot.

As to the JJs; I have heard (and unscientifically confirmed) that you have to spring for the ones with the gold plated pins. Not that the gold makes them special, but because JJ first makes the tubes, then tests them, and sends the best ones for gold plating. (Heard this, seems reasonable). I don't know what factors JJ considers in the decision, but the gold pin ones that I tested (12AX7s only, unfortunately) had consistently better-balanced triodes, higher transconductance and higher plate current.

I may order an assortment of ATs and check them out, but I use a Hickok and a Fluke. Someone with an Amplitrex could do a more thorough job. Volunteers?

[Milkmansound]

I have a B&H tester - but the best test for me seems to be within a single amp and listening for variations

the gold pin theory makes sense, I will try one of those too!

[chief mushroom cloud]

Here's some blather that might answer your question....
http://la-economy.blogspot.com/2012/03/ ... today.html

[Firestorm]

Thanks for that Chief. It took me a minute to realise it was from Myles; always liked him (even when he was pushing GT).

[Milkmansound]

that article was depressing

[chief mushroom cloud]

that article was depressing

I wouldn't sweat it...we'll all be dead before all the NOS runs out....who gives a fuck what our kids think...they play that goddamn tek-no and that WASP hippity hop gangsta' rap crap

I have an IC100 n' a treble booster as a backup plan, anyway.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKTc4Nk5 ... re=related

and this dood plays an HH combo run into a Marshmallow cab...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5QYijFfOaQ

[Cliff Schecht]

jigaboo

You might outta watch the racial slurs. We're not the most PC bunch (lord knows I ain't) but I don't think this sort of derogatory slang is welcomed or encouraged.

[M Fowler]

Hey chief how have you been

Spring hit the Dakota's early this year ,nice!

Mark

[chief mushroom cloud]

Hey chief how have you been

Spring hit the Dakota's early this year ,nice!

Mark

yea, well...the wife er...squaw and I want to take a roadtrip to Crazyhorse monument later this spring.....maybe early May, just in time for some good lightning storms

would be nice to go now, but got too much work.....sigh

[M Fowler]

I love that area of South Dakota we stayed for a week last summer.

Work on Crazy Horse monument was slow but casino's were thriving.


Mark

[tubeswell]

and this dood plays an HH combo run into a Marshmallow cab...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5QYijFfOaQ

Very kewl

[Structo]

Man, I haven't thought about the Cardiac's in years.

I love that band!