Experience with Tube Amp Doctor (TAD) tubes

[beaubrummels]

I just bought a sampler kit of 10 12AX7 tubes, and out of all of them, the TAD 12AX7C sounds exactly like a Mullard 10M I have.

I just want to know if all TAD tubes are this authentic (e.g. are they the Seymour Duncan of tubes?) or are just certain ones good? What's your experience with TAD (Tube Amp Doctor) tubes?

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Experience with Tube Amp Doctor (TAD) tubes

TAD makes good stuff I use their 6L6's and EL84's. I wouldnt compare them as being "authentic' but they sound good and are reliable and thats all that matters to me.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: Experience with Tube Amp Doctor (TAD) tubes

Dunno about authenticity but their el84 are amazing.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Experience with Tube Amp Doctor (TAD) tubes

I wish I would have known their EL84s are great before I just bought my latest set of Mullard RIs. That being said, though, the Mullard RIs sound really great too.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Experience with Tube Amp Doctor (TAD) tubes

TAD doesn't make any tubes...they are like GT in that they buy, test, match, relabel and sell. So, just like GT some of them you might like and others you might not.

As for TAD the company I have had nothing but bad results in dealing with them and refuse to give them any more of my money.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Experience with Tube Amp Doctor (TAD) tubes

Thanks for the input, all.

Yeah, my experience dealing with TAD was among the worst (they were not communicative or responsive), but if their product is that good, ... may be stuck on that one. Depends on if I can get the same product elsewhere. To that end...

Anyone have insight on identifying the manufacturers they are rebranding?

Anyone know if manufacturers are doing anything different for the tubes that TAD rebrands vs. the same manufacturers off the shelf tubes?

Thanks again

 

[Zombiwoof]

Re: Experience with Tube Amp Doctor (TAD) tubes

From what I've read, some of the TAD tubes are tested and rebranded Chinese and other tubes, but some are made to their specifications by a Chinese factory. So to say they are all rebranded stock tubes is not correct, some are and some are not.
Al

 

[JB6464]

Re: Experience with Tube Amp Doctor (TAD) tubes

TAD designs their tubes and are a special tube request (STR) which are made in China for them and then they are branded with their name on them for resale.
Very similar to what Groove Tubes did with their GT-6L6GE clear top tubes , they are only made for them since they are a STR order and branded with their name on it.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Experience with Tube Amp Doctor (TAD) tubes

Good to know. Thanks again guys.

Kevin

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Experience with Tube Amp Doctor (TAD) tubes

From what I've read, some of the TAD tubes are tested and rebranded Chinese and other tubes, but some are made to their specifications by a Chinese factory. So to say they are all rebranded stock tubes is not correct, some are and some are not.
Al

So which factory do they own?

 

[JB6464]

Re: Experience with Tube Amp Doctor (TAD) tubes

Shuguang
They don't own them , they place STR orders like Mesa,GT,etc...

 

[zzmoore]

Re: Experience with Tube Amp Doctor (TAD) tubes

Zombi and JB6...that has been my experience as well.
They have some tubes that are Made For Them that are quite good.
A lot of re-branded Chinese pres that are very good and affordable.
Their "short bottle" 6L6 is one of the best around in the last few years.
You just have to buy and try. They are good at what they do.
good luck

 

[hermetico]

Re: Experience with Tube Amp Doctor (TAD) tubes

TAD tubes is a very spread field to talk about. All depends on what are you after.
All TAD tubes arent TAD tubes, but re-branded tubes of the very few tube makers.
That 12AX7-C is just a Sino (chinesse) tube that I personally don't like for "tone" positions but, that works awesomely as a PI or in a cathode-follower position.
The EL84-STR is also a chinesse tube, made to TAD specifications and, not being a pure EL84, it sounds to me better than the JJ EL84.
To me, top notch V1 tubes from TAD are the 7025-S (highgrade), that it's very similar to a Mullard and the 7025-WA (highgrade), very creamy and full of harmonics.
Their 12AX7-Cz is just a selected JJ ECC83S that saves you the money and time to get a right JJ ECC83S. Those are a must for a Marshall.
Well...
Lot to discuss about and... tone is a very subjective thing at the end