NOS tubes

[Outlaws]

Well, I have to admit...I have never been a fan of spending $20 on a tube, but as soon as I have the money I am dropping $80 on some special 12ax7 tubes because I just got a NOS 12au7a RCA tubes (made in USA) and a NOS GE (re-labled Mullard) and these things are the single most beautiful sound I have ever heard. I cranked my amp to all the way as far as it would go with 2 of them and a EL34 next to a 6L6 and the thing was completly clean (this is the high input too) on my Teles neck pickup and when I went to the bridge which is a Texas Special, there was just the perfect amount of bluesy breakup that could clean up in a way I have never had happen. I almost shed a tear out of its purity. It was perfect.

I finally found something that is legal to stock-pile.

 

[SteveK]

Just curious...have you tried any new 12AU7 or 12AT7 tubes in those slots also to compare? Going from an AX7 to an AU7 or AT7 should definitely decrease the gain and lead to that "perfect amount of bluesy breakup that could clean up in a way I have never had happen." It might be the different type of tube and not the fact that it's NOS. Just curious...might save you some money

 

[Outlaws]

Just curious...have you tried any new 12AU7 or 12AT7 tubes in those slots also to compare? Going from an AX7 to an AU7 or AT7 should definitely decrease the gain and lead to that "perfect amount of bluesy breakup that could clean up in a way I have never had happen." It might be the different type of tube and not the fact that it's NOS. Just curious...might save you some money

I know what you mean, but there is a quality there that I have never felt with any tube I have ever used...ever. I realize that the gain was going to be reduced an absurd amount, but there is still quality showing through. Its hard to explain. Though, I do have a 12au7 in my SUperReverb which I haven't sold yet, so just for you I am gonna try that. Thanks for reminding me.

 

[Scottgman]

I'm curious how the new Groove Tube Mullard re-issues sound compared to the originals.

Have you tried those Mullard re-issues, Outlaws?

 

[Outlaws]

I'm curious how the new Groove Tube Mullard re-issues sound compared to the originals.

Have you tried those Mullard re-issues, Outlaws?

I don't know compared to the originals, but I have one of the the 12ax7m ReIssues that I used in place of the stock Chinese crap that my amp came with and it was night and day better. I am gonna get another one when I can because for a "replaceable" tube it is awsome.

 

[Scottgman]

Cool, man... that's what I wanted to hear. I've been thinking about buying some for my amp... but wasn't sure if they were all hype.

 

[Outlaws]

Cool, man... that's what I wanted to hear. I've been thinking about buying some for my amp... but wasn't sure if they were all hype.

Good luck finding them. I won't buy online because I have gotten a few "duds". Where you shake them and they sound like salt shakers. Maybe thats normal, but out all the tubes I have at my house, only about half of them make that sound...and they are all considered "modern shit" by many people. But back to my point, I only found on place in Phoenix that has them...and that was at only one Guitar Center and they only had one. They are gonna restock but I couldn't have them order it because they would make be pay first and then I can't be picky when it gets there and say "no no no" if I hear it making noise.

Does anyone know if that is an issue or is it just a coincidence that anytime I have an amp with one that makes the sound when shook, my amp has a springy rattle when playing loud?

 

[bongolation]

I'm curious how the new Groove Tube Mullard re-issues sound compared to the originals.

I haven't bought them because of two things:

1: On the serious tube fora, this GT "Mullard" is not very highly regarded, and...

2: I can get real rebadged vintage Mullards for less money from reputable tube resellers.

BTW, I don't remember ever seeing a GE-rebadged Mullard. Have the Philips codes been checked? They'll tell you exactly what the tube is, when it was made and in which factory.

 

[Outlaws]

BTW, I don't remember ever seeing a GE-rebadged Mullard. Have the Philips codes been checked? They'll tell you exactly what the tube is, when it was made and in which factory.

The etched info has two lines. The first I can't make out but COULD be "G 1 2". The "1" is subject to debate though and could be a lowercase "f" and the "2" is also open to being wrong. It has "Made in Great Britian" over it.

The second line of the etch is "B 5 J 4".

Isn't that the Blackburn code? Brimar?

The rest of the stamp is a GE logo, "Electronic Tube" "12AU7A" and "MV 188-5".

The plate is a hair over a half inch tall.


I am gonna take a picture.

 

[Outlaws]

Here are some pics of the GE labled tube.

 

[Outlaws]

This is a picture of the RCA. It has an orange screen lable. Most of it is gone, but I can make out a "6 - 17" and a "Made in USA". There is also the Made in USA on the picture, but there is an orange version too. If you know a general time frame taht type of lable was used I would like to know, but frankly, it sounds good so I am happy anyways. Though it would help in obtaining them in the future lol.

 

[Outlaws]

BTW, I don't remember ever seeing a GE-rebadged Mullard. Have the Philips codes been checked? They'll tell you exactly what the tube is, when it was made and in which factory.

Here is a 12AT7...granted it is eBay, so buyer beware, but it look like mine.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10171&item=7311470933&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Looks like its the same timeframe as mine.

 

[bongolation]

The etched info has two lines. The first I can't make out but COULD be "G 1 2". The "1" is subject to debate though and could be a lowercase "f" and the "2" is also open to being wrong. It has "Made in Great Britian" over it.

The second line of the etch is "B 5 J 4".

Isn't that the Blackburn code? Brimar?

Gf2 means a second-revision 12AU7/ECC82; yes, it's a lower-case f.
B5J4 means it was made in the Mullard Blackburn factory in the fourth week of October, 1965.

I still don't think I've seen a "GE" Mullard 12AX7, though.

 

[Outlaws]

Gf2 means a second-revision 12AU7/ECC82; yes, it's a lower-case f.
B5J4 means it was made in the Mullard Blackburn factory in the fourth week of October, 1965.

I still don't think I've seen a "GE" Mullard 12AX7, though.

Thanks for the awsome info...check your PM...I got something I would like you to see and give an opinion on. Thanks again.

 

[goldtopchas]

Not all old N.O.S. are created equal.

You have to get them from someone that does proper testing. E-bay is loaded with people selling tubes. A lot of tube testing equip. doesn't cut it as far as audiophile standards go. It can mean the difference between a tube that sounds great and one that works, but is lifeless and has no character.
The same goes for new tubes as well. A factory will produce a run of tubes and maybe half will perform within specs. The other half will be sold off to company's that re-brand them and sell them cheap.