Great Info on Tube Factories!

[Gearjoneser]

A few weeks ago, I went to the Vacuum Tube Valley Expo in Pasadena and saw some cool stuff. Anyway, here's a link to some info on the current tube companies in business nowadays.

http://www.vacuumtube.com/FAQ1.htm

Here's a link to some pics I took at that tube expo.
http://photobucket.com/albums/y247/Gearjoneser/VTV LA Expo/

 

[lastwinj]

Re: Great Info on Tube Factories!

rock!!

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Great Info on Tube Factories!

Make sure you hit the front page of that site too!
http://www.vacuumtube.com/

 

[BillyThe Wild]

Re: Great Info on Tube Factories!

Anyone have experience with eurotubes.com ?!? Awesome sight,extremely informative. I'm convinced that J/J tubes are the tubes to beat for the price.

 

[JumpMarine]

Re: Great Info on Tube Factories!

Great read, thanks Joe!

 

[Guitarist]

Re: Great Info on Tube Factories!

Anyone have experience with eurotubes.com ?!? Awesome sight,extremely informative. I'm convinced that J/J tubes are the tubes to beat for the price.

I just installed a full set of JJ preamp and power tubes in my Boogie today. They are very nice, especially for the price. I still need more time to really dig into them, but so far I'm picking up that they aren't as warm as the Groove Tube setup I had. Very clear, though.

Shipping was immediate, I received within 3 business days! I'm very pleased. I can't wait to get at it again.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Great Info on Tube Factories!

I think my favorite current production tubes are JJ power tubes with Groove Tube pre's, especially the GT12AX7C's.

I really want to try some of the new tubes from New Sensor, which distributes the new Mullard, Tungsol, and Genalex brand names.

For pre tubes, I think the new ones worth buying are the GT's, JJ ECC803S, Sovtek LPS, and Tungsol. You can't go wrong with any of them.

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Great Info on Tube Factories!

Yeah, I find the JJs good for "all around" duty, but definitely a little on the darker side of things.

When I get the Edana from Scott, it'll have GT KT66s & JJ pres & rec, but I've got some Mullards waiting for it.

The GT KTs should be fine, but I'd also like to try the New Sensor Tung Sols to see how they are.

ULTIMATELY....and in an extremely GASeous mood......I might spring for the big kahuna Genelex KTs, if the right offer comes around.

$300.00 for a set of tubes is NUTS!!!! :laugh2:

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Great Info on Tube Factories!

$300.00 for a set of tubes is NUTS!!!! :laugh2:

In that link, scroll down and read all about the scammers selling imitation NOS tubes. I never realized how much of that market is saturated with relabeled fakes. It makes me very leery of buying anything sold as NOS anymore.
With all these new reissues popping up, there's really no reason to anymore.
Tubes nowadays are pretty damn good.

 

[aleclee]

Re: Great Info on Tube Factories!

Anyone have experience with eurotubes.com ?!? Awesome sight,extremely informative. I'm convinced that J/J tubes are the tubes to beat for the price.

If you're looking for JJs, Bob is a great source.

Personally, I'm not to fond of any JJs except the EL34s. I've heard nothing but good about their EL84s but don't own any EL84 amps. The 6L6s are just okay and IMO there are waaaay better 12AX7s for the money.

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Great Info on Tube Factories!

EL34

In that link, scroll down and read all about the scammers selling imitation NOS tubes. I never realized how much of that market is saturated with relabeled fakes. It makes me very leery of buying anything sold as NOS anymore.
With all these new reissues popping up, there's really no reason to anymore.
Tubes nowadays are pretty damn good.

Yeah, for my needs, I don't see the GTs, new Tung Sols, JJs, or Valve Art sucking THAT BAD that I'll spring for NOS KT66s.

Scott & Armotron said the GTs ROCK, so that's good enough for me.

I trust Mike at KCA NOS, but like ya' say....You never know!!!

Actually, I had the New Sensor Mullard EL34s in the Splawn I had. They sounded great, but I've never played the originals, so nothing really to compare to.

I'll definitely grab some Tung Sols to try out.

 

[CaptainCrunch]

Re: Great Info on Tube Factories!

Anyone have experience with eurotubes.com ?!? Awesome sight,extremely informative. I'm convinced that J/J tubes are the tubes to beat for the price.

I went to Portland and visited Bob about 3 weeks ago, he serviced my son's Laney. Cool guy, thoroughly enjoyed meeting and doing business with him.

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: Great Info on Tube Factories!

The pics of all those old mics are cool. There's a guy around here who *supposedly* has the largest vintage mic collection in the US. I've been to his "museum" and there's some really cool and a few historic mics.

The tube stuff is great. I regarded a lot of the tube stuff and placebo voodoo stuff, but I did a few blind tests with my own stuff- and holy cow- there's a difference. Maybe I don't spend enough time with guitar these days, but I'd love to really go through a bunch of tubes and make my own mind up on what sounds "good" to me.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Great Info on Tube Factories!

The fun part is that all amps react differently to different tubes, so it's a good idea to collect a bunch of 12AX7's and hear them all in the 1st position on your amps.

What I find strange is that the GT Mullard copies don't seem similar to old Mullards at all. They're both good tubes, but the the reissue is bulky and gainy, while the original is sweet and smooth. I have some old Mullard pre's, and instead of saving them, I just decided to go ahead and use them in my Matchless. I have to say....it was a good idea!