NOS Tubes: Is there really something special?

[JumpMarine]

Yes, there most definately is! Now I'm by no means an expert here, but after experimenting with a box of tubes that my buddy brought over last night from his 78 Super Reverb to try in my JCM 601 I am convinced.

My JCM 601 is currently loaded with all JJ 12ax7's and Svet EL34's.

All of this came about with the use of only two types of old tubes:

An unknown dated RCA 12at7 and a Fender labled 7025 dated 1978.

I tried nearly all combinations from v1 to v4, but came up with the 7025 in v1 and RCA in v3. The sound difference was astounding, chimier and louder cleans and smoother gain, though lower gain. As reference points I was using my MIM Tele and a G&L ASAT with P90's. They both sounded killer. The Tele under gain previously was a bit too gritty and it was hard to hear the individual notes. With the final set up, under gain the individual notes could be heard distinctly and full open chords could be played. Clean was beautiful with similar results.
Just to check myself I pulled the 7025 in v1 and put the JJ back in, the tone didn't change. But the volume did go down. You NOS guys please chime in here(JeffH)and please guide me a bit. I'm kind of hooked now.

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: NOS Tubes: Is there really something special?

Well, I think you are comparing apple to oranges a little bit here. You replace a 12ax7 with a 12at7. The 12at7 is a lower gain tube. That will make a world of difference in terms of smoothing out an amps tone.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: NOS Tubes: Is there really something special?

YES...I hear a huge diff between MADE IN USA RCA, GE, etc. pre-amp tubes and those made today in China and Eastern Europe. So much diff that NOS is all I use.

 

[JumpMarine]

Re: NOS Tubes: Is there really something special?

Well, I think you are comparing apple to oranges a little bit here. You replace a 12ax7 with a 12at7. The 12at7 is a lower gain tube. That will make a world of difference in terms of smoothing out an amps tone.

This is all true, but I didn't really know that when I started this last night. My big question is: are there going to be equivalent New tubes available that are going to sound as good? Or how hard will it be to find something like the 7025 and RCA because I unfortunatly have to give these tubes back. Though I don't want to....

 

[kevlar3000]

Re: NOS Tubes: Is there really something special?

Some are great and some are crap. Many of my older amps ( I have a few 40 yrs old) still have the original tubes in them. Both my Silvertone heads sound spectacular with the Amperex Bugle Boys and stock Silvertone labeled 6l6 tubes. My 72 Carlsbro really likes JJs they are a bit warmer and it adds to the natural tonal place of that amp. My Traynor loves the Bugle Boy 12Ax7 as well. Odd as it is I think my Plexi RI sounds best with the new Groove Tube 12Ax7m in V1. I really like that tube...

I find you just gotta try them out, some tubes sound great in one amp and not in another which makes it a very subjective thing. I usually just trust my ears and go from there.

 

[Curly]

Re: NOS Tubes: Is there really something special?

yes, NOS tubes make a difference!

it isn't just a placebo effect from paying more money

many NOS tubes were much more consistent in gain compared to the reference specs

that said, there are many more choices of decent, current production tubes than there were 10 years ago.

BTW, for everything you wanted to know about tubes, and a little more, visit Guitar Amp Blueprinting. You'll find plenty of material to explain tube specs.

 

[JumpMarine]

Re: NOS Tubes: Is there really something special?

yes, NOS tubes make a difference!

it isn't just a placebo effect from paying more money

many NOS tubes were much more consistent in gain compared to the reference specs

that said, there are many more choices of decent, current production tubes than there were 10 years ago.

BTW, for everything you wanted to know about tubes, and a little more, visit Guitar Amp Blueprinting. You'll find plenty of material to explain tube specs.

Thanks Gary!

 

[Shnook]

Re: NOS Tubes: Is there really something special?

Tubes are a funny thing. Tubes generally die a slow death. Degrading tone little by little once they start on the downhill slide. Then finally when it comes time to face the fact that new tubes are needed, the hunt is on. Some people get whatever the dealer has and others search the internet over for NOS tubes costing several hundred dollars total for a complete re-tubing. Either way, the old tubes get replaced and WHOOSH...OMG!!! These are the best sounding tubes ever!!!! Simply put, fresh new tubes replaced old worn out tubes, so yeah, there's gonna be an improvement in tone. Unless you get a bad tube in the mix and then all of a sudden, 'these tubes suck!'

I do think some tubes are better than others but my experience hasn't been overwhelming to the point where I'm gonna pay a lot of money for NOS tubes. Now if they can be found at a reasonable price, that's a different story. Till then, I'm happy with JJ's.

 

[lastwinj]

Re: NOS Tubes: Is there really something special?

with the advances in metallurgy, and other aspects of tube making technology, it amazes me that new tubes dont match the older ones, with respect to tone. but, everyone needs to realize, current production tubes are built to be cheap. they can make them like the old days, but will you really pay for it?
it is very expensive to get a tube production line up and running. so you have to have a minimum amount of tubes to be made. 100's of thousands.
if anyone wants to do a bulk buy from china, of an exact copy of "insert fave NOS tube here", it will run us somewhere between 200k and a cool mil.

germ