Preamp Tubes? - Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How? - Page 29

MartyStrat54 · 08-07-2009, 10:14 PM

Hey I've been spending a little time on TGP. Man those guys get into bitter arguments about tubes. NOS vs CP. JJ vs Tung-Sol. I felt good when I realized that they were already using the "new" term that I had started using...ANOS, Almost New Old Stock. I just decided to start using it, because it made sense and lo and behold, it was already being used. Man that took a load off of me. I thought that I had come up with something new. ANOS. Like I fell off the back of the truck and my ANOS hurts real bad. Something like that.

solarburnDSL50 · 08-07-2009, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartyStrat54

Hey I've been spending a little time on TGP. Man those guys get into bitter arguments about tubes. NOS vs CP. JJ vs Tung-Sol. I felt good when I realized that they were already using the "new" term that I had started using...ANOS, Almost New Old Stock. I just decided to start using it, because it made sense and lo and behold, it was already being used. Man that took a load off of me. I thought that I had come up with something new. ANOS. Like I fell off the back of the truck and my ANOS hurts real bad. Something like that.

I had seen this term on a Tube Brokers website and I didn't know what it meant until you spelled it out one day awhile ago.

Here:

http://www.kcanostubes.com/categorie...025-CV4004.htm

MartyStrat54 · 08-07-2009, 11:01 PM

Holy Shittah!!! Man, I need to raise my prices!!! $55 for ANOS RCA 7025. Somebody did somebody a big favor. Holy cow! Every time I go to KCA I almost have a coronary. I could make some real good money selling my RCA 7025's for $55.

Well, I've just

a fat one with Slash and I feel better now. I'm afraid to look at NEW prices. Wow! I wonder what those Amperex EL84's will bring? I think I'll keep them and sell the quad of Telefunkens. I should get $250 for them. We'll see. I'm afraid I'll get me a Night Train and I'll want to spank it hard with some Tele's or Holland's finest.

Thanks Slash!

solarburnDSL50 · 08-07-2009, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartyStrat54

Holy Shittah!!! Man, I need to raise my prices!!! $55 for ANOS RCA 7025. Somebody did somebody a big favor. Holy cow! Every time I go to KCA I almost have a coronary. I could make some real good money selling my RCA 7025's for $55.

Well, I've just

a fat one with Slash and I feel better now. I'm afraid to look at NEW prices. Wow! I wonder what those Amperex EL84's will bring? I think I'll keep them and sell the quad of Telefunkens. I should get $250 for them. We'll see. I'm afraid I'll get me a Night Train and I'll want to spank it hard with some Tele's or Holland's finest.

Thanks Slash!

Funny you should mention the NT. I have it plugged into my GB loaded 412 right now and it smokes baby! I'm so glad I got that amp now. I got the Solarburn Tone Pack in it and it rips and chimes! Thanks to my Mentor MM.

If you ever do get one try it on a 412. It will squeeze the most out of that lil' lunch box. I'm playing it with my strat alot now. It is loud with a 412.

For sure you are offering the best deals on the net hehe. I haven't bought any on that site. Too rich for my blood.

Landshark · 08-07-2009, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solarburnDSL50

It sounds better now does it?

Good job in noticing the label difference. That was quite a discovery. Glad it all worked out.

On a side note, how do you like the 34L's?

I didn't play long enough with the old tubes in it to really get a feel for a regular 34. But from what I could notice, it was just more gain oriented... almost too compressed with my current settings (lead channel - deep switch pushed, presence 10, bass 7.5, mids 4,treble 7, tone shift pushed, gain around 5, volume around five, crunch channel - never really used). I recently started messing with my settings to be sure I could get the best sounds out as possible and found a way to get the same tone without all the compression (deep still pushed, presence still 10, bass 6.5 or 7, mids 7.5, treble 8, tone shift out, gain around 7, volume at 5, Crunch channel - very similar without the bass pushed, very crunchy tone

).

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartyStrat54

If the repairs (and I'm glad everything went well) cleared up your sound. Are you happy with what you have, or are you still wanting to go with some NOS tubes in V1 and V2?

It's your money. I just want to make sure that you spend it in the best way possible.

And your question goes along with the final few statements I was going to leave Joe with... this helped me achieve the same tone but with less compression and sound more organic. It's still really dark and I am still looking forward to hear what NOS in V1 and V2 sounds like.

solarburnDSL50 · 08-08-2009, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Landshark

I didn't play long enough with the old tubes in it to really get a feel for a regular 34. But from what I could notice, it was just more gain oriented... almost too compressed with my current settings (lead channel - deep switch pushed, presence 10, bass 7.5, mids 4,treble 7, tone shift pushed, gain around 5, volume around five, crunch channel - never really used). I recently started messing with my settings to be sure I could get the best sounds out as possible and found a way to get the same tone without all the compression (deep still pushed, presence still 10, bass 6.5 or 7, mids 7.5, treble 8, tone shift out, gain around 7, volume at 5, Crunch channel - very similar without the bass pushed, very crunchy tone

).

And your question goes along with the final few statements I was going to leave Joe with... this helped me achieve the same tone but with less compression and sound more organic. It's still really dark and I am still looking forward to hear what NOS in V1 and V2 sounds like.

Those JJ pres are the culprit. From what I hear the 34L's have healthy amount of lowend too. I got the high gain kit from eurotubes with the KT77's and those JJ pres dulled my tone up. Changing to other preamp tubes made a significant change for the better. My EQ adjustments started working again meaning I had more balanced(frequency wise)preamp tubes in there. I had way more variations in tone too. I think their character are just a bit too strong especially 4 at once.

Like I say I know guys who really like them especially in bright amps. I have a bright amp and I still didn't like what I got from them. It doesn't matter to me. I put in what I like. Try a couple from Marty and you may be real glad you did.

Winged C EL34's are my favorite Current Production power tubes. Nice and open sounding. NOS power tubes are gonna cost ya if you ever go that far.

Landshark · 08-08-2009, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solarburnDSL50

Those JJ pres are the culprit. From what I hear the 34L's have healthy amount of lowend too. I got the high gain kit from eurotubes with the KT77's and those JJ pres dulled my tone up. Changing to other preamp tubes made a significant change for the better. My EQ adjustments started working again meaning I had more balanced(frequency wise)preamp tubes in there. I had way more variations in tone too. I think their character are just a bit too strong especially 4 at once.

Like I say I know guys who really like them especially in bright amps. I have a bright amp and I still didn't like what I got from them. It doesn't matter to me. I put in what I like. Try a couple from Marty and you may be real glad you did.

Winged C EL34's are my favorite Current Production power tubes. Nice and open sounding. NOS power tubes are gonna cost ya if you ever go that far.

Yea my change bucket came up a little short. I still got 40 bucks out of it but not quite enought to do NOS yet. Gimme a week and I'll be ready for them.

joshuaaewallen · 08-08-2009, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshuaaewallen

V1:

V2:

V3 & V4 Respectively:

Well... I got so far as cleaning the tube sockets and throwing the "GE Twins" in slots 3 & 4, but alas... As soon as I reached for the power switch... Life got busy and took over again. So... I haven't had a chance to play 'em yet. I'm hoping for a couple of hours tonight or tomorrow (maybe Sunday) to give them a good work out. I'll keep ya posted as soon as there is something to report!

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshuaaewallen

That's why I am curious to see how it sounds w/ the GE twins in V3 & V4 when the amp is cranked up more... While at low volume the sound tone-wise seems the same, but w/ more clarity, I am wondering if some of that "improved clarity" will actually translate into more top end when I get the volume turned up? Know what ah mean Vern?...

Suspicions confirmed. Holy crap this thing is sooooooo much more clear and lively w/ the GE Twins instead of the JJ's. Whew!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Landshark

I know Marty's gonna flip when he sees the rest of this post.

I had the back of my TSL open from my experiment. My 2 year old asked me for a drink (she's a sweetie). I come back from getting her a cup and she's touching all of my tubes!!!

With the thought in mind that I would NEVER again leave the back of that thing open, she unknowingly pointed something out to me... the lettering on one of the power tubes was different. When I got these tubes the lettering on them was all bright red. The (from left to right) first, second, and third ones were a burgundy color, and the one farthest right was bright red still...

Now here's where Marty will have an aneurysm... I got curious and took the tubes out and took the chasis out FOR A LOOK (I know it's suicide to think about touching anything so I didn't, because I was the only one home with my daughter, and I didn't want to die!). As I pull the chassis out, there is this little white piece that, as I looked I saw where it was supposed to be on the board directly under the unused power tube, had come unsoldered. I realized that the amp could have suffered some serious damage running just three power tubes (it must have come undone recently because I had just gotten it fixed with a grounding problem and rebiased the tubes) and I quickly put the chasis back into the box and ran to the repairman for a good overlook.

He put the part back in and checked everything out to make sure it was alright, rebiased the power tubes which wasnt very far off from where they wer supposed to be. He said that the power tubes would be fine even though, to me, they look a little burnt up except the one. It fixed the thrashy tone problem I had though.

Fun little story with anger, danger, excitment... and yes, after the head was fixed, there was even laughter and uncontrollable dancing in the privacy of my own home.

Mate... I am just glad no one got electrocuted. And it's just a bonus to have stumbled onto the problem and surviving to tell about it. I guess just like my wife is always sayin'... "Keep Yer Parts Covered!"

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartyStrat54

Holy Shittah!!! Man, I need to raise my prices!!! $55 for ANOS RCA 7025. Somebody did somebody a big favor. Holy cow! Every time I go to KCA I almost have a coronary. I could make some real good money selling my RCA 7025's for $55.

Well, I've just

a fat one with Slash and I feel better now. I'm afraid to look at NEW prices. Wow! I wonder what those Amperex EL84's will bring? I think I'll keep them and sell the quad of Telefunkens. I should get $250 for them. We'll see. I'm afraid I'll get me a Night Train and I'll want to spank it hard with some Tele's or Holland's finest.

Thanks Slash!

Please don't follow the example set by those rip-off artists Big M. You are the best and last resort for us workin' folk (

) who just don't have the $$$ for those crazy prices... And on top of that... Your a pretty nice bloke as well!

And to quote Princess Leah, "Help me Obiwan Kenobi. Your my only hope..."

Quote:

Originally Posted by solarburnDSL50

Those JJ pres are the culprit. From what I hear the 34L's have healthy amount of lowend too. I got the high gain kit from eurotubes with the KT77's and those JJ pres dulled my tone up. Changing to other preamp tubes made a significant change for the better. My EQ adjustments started working again meaning I had more balanced(frequency wise)preamp tubes in there. I had way more variations in tone too. I think their character are just a bit too strong especially 4 at once.

Like I say I know guys who really like them especially in bright amps. I have a bright amp and I still didn't like what I got from them. It doesn't matter to me. I put in what I like. Try a couple from Marty and you may be real glad you did.

Winged C EL34's are my favorite Current Production power tubes. Nice and open sounding. NOS power tubes are gonna cost ya if you ever go that far.

I actually really like the EL34L's. That's what I'm running in mine and bottom end is no problem at all. The Svetlana's that came w/ the amp were ok (I guess). I liked my cleans, but I always ran it w/ the deep switch on. Since I put the EL34L's in the amp sounds way less thin, more full and rich, and I have no worries about bottom end, in fact, I seldom even use the deep switch at all any more. It's just that much better. Maybe next time around I'll try the winged C's and see how they sound...

solarburnDSL50 · 08-08-2009, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshuaaewallen

Suspicions confirmed. Holy crap this thing is sooooooo much more clear and lively w/ the GE Twins instead of the JJ's. Whew!

Mate... I am just glad no one got electrocuted. And it's just a bonus to have stumbled onto the problem and surviving to tell about it. I guess just like my wife is always sayin'... "Keep Yer Parts Covered!"

Please don't follow the example set by those rip-off artists Big M. You are the best and last resort for us workin' folk (

) who just don't have the $$$ for those crazy prices... And on top of that... Your a pretty nice bloke as well!

And to quote Princess Leah, "Help me Obiwan Kenobi. Your my only hope..."

I actually really like the EL34L's. That's what I'm running in mine and bottom end is no problem at all. The Svetlana's that came w/ the amp were ok (I guess). I liked my cleans, but I always ran it w/ the deep switch on. Since I put the EL34L's in the amp sounds way less thin, more full and rich, and I have no worries about bottom end, in fact, I seldom even use the deep switch at all any more. It's just that much better. Maybe next time around I'll try the winged C's and see how they sound...

I don't like Svetlana's much. Too middy and lowend was just not available. Dry sounding too. I think sometime I'd like to try the 34L's. I've always heard the same thing about them. Great lowend and sound good in a Marshall. Sooner or later I will get a pair.

What I like about the Winged C's Josh is they are open sounding and balanced. Good lowend, mids are nice and the highs aren't harsh. They mix well with a balanced preamp section too. They are great for any genre.

After roll'n the C's in my amp I noticed my Tung Sols were tighter in comparison and the Ruby's became way too tight and a bit stiff. At least the Tung Sols are warm and fat, just a bit tighter or compressed. They're still a good sounding power tube.

The RFT's are warm and fat. Blues and rock baby. Great NOS that Marty gave me a hell of a deal on. Again its hard to pick what I want in the amp.

MartyStrat54 · 08-08-2009, 02:38 PM

I got off my butt because I had to do a little tube testing. I'm going to move some 6BQ5/EL84's. Out of curiosity, I opened one of the boxes with the Amperex EL84. I tell you, I just don't notice things like I used to, or I forget. These Amperex are a matched quad made on 02-1952!!!
OMG! These are old and they look brand new. The tubes are labeled "Packard Bell," but they still say, "Made by Amperex." Also, the standard, "Made in Holland" at the top of the tube. However, these tubes are so old that Amperex put their old trademark on the tubes. It is like an orbiting atom. Again, a very old trademark.

I hate to say it, but these tubes deserve a top notched hi fi amp. There to nice to go into a guitar. I did try them once and they were creamy smooth. Nice blend of low end and a real sweet top. I only had them in my 401 for about two weeks and then I put Sylvania Black Plates in. Of course this gave thicker mid's and and airy top. Still a great set of tubes. The other 401 has RCA NIB/NOS Gray Plates and at $40 a piece they better sound good.

If I new how to do half the stuff that Josh knows how to do on this forum, I'd be editing, laying pic's down and smokin' with Slash all the time. Damn younger generation...born with a laptop.

MartyStrat54 · 08-08-2009, 06:22 PM

Well I got a s**t load of 6BQ5's listed on EBAY. Thought I'd get rid of some of them BP's and GP's I had sitting around. I took some pic's of the Amperex tubes and I hope they are halfway decent. Let me see if I remember how to do this?

And here is a slightly different angle.

Well, now I will see what I just did when I hit the "Submit Reply" button.

MartyStrat54 · 08-08-2009, 06:33 PM

Wow! That's some crappy pictures. I thought they would come out better than that. Anyway, you can see the old Amperex "Atomic" trademark and just under that is the, "Made by Amperex." Most relabeled tubes only carried the "buyer's" name and the real manufacturer would use different methods to "leave their mark" on the tube. RCA has the "Stop Sign" logo with the part number etched inside of the octagon. Raytheon used a heavy etching on the part number. Sylvania used "dot matrix" and USA. GE would have their codes all printed in white on the tube. Later, tube manufacturer's basically said, "If you want to buy our tube, our name goes on it." Well that lasted until about 1963 or so when relabeled tubes were back to having just the buyer's name on them. You have to be a private eye to figure out who made some of the tubes out there. (Example: Tung-Sol used the "octagon" for quite some time until big RCA got them to stop. Some old tubes, you don't know if it's a Tung-Sol or an RCA.

Sorry for the shitty pictures. I'll have to get my tripod out and some good lighting. These digital camera's sometimes have too much flash.

solarburnDSL50 · 08-08-2009, 08:20 PM

I put my glasses on to see those pics better and it was still blurry...

I like the Atomic logo(trademark)on the Amperex. Hope ya make some money on the bunch you put up. You could by a NT or Marshall has the new 5 watter coming out...

Looks like the Marsh is going for $499.00 as well. Anyways you know you have enough tubes to make that happen hehe.

One of these days I'm going to learn how to post pics. Doesn't Josh give directions somewhere in the thread here? I'll have to take some and at load it on the puter so at least I'll be that far with it.

I want a T-shirt with the Amperex's logo on it. What is it about them frigg'n light bulbs...

MartyStrat54 · 08-08-2009, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solarburnDSL50

I put my glasses on to see those pics better and it was still blurry...

I like the Atomic logo(trademark)on the Amperex. Hope ya make some money on the bunch you put up. You could by a NT or Marshall has the new 5 watter coming out...

Looks like the Marsh is going for $499.00 as well. Anyways you know you have enough tubes to make that happen hehe.

One of these days I'm going to learn how to post pics. Doesn't Josh give directions somewhere in the thread here? I'll have to take some and at load it on the puter so at least I'll be that far with it.

I want a T-shirt with the Amperex's logo on it. What is it about them frigg'n light bulbs...

Yeah I know what you mean about the glasses. I put mine on and and thought I was looking at a picture of the Rocky Mountains.

Of course Joe you know that real frickin' old Amperex were called Bugle Boy and had a cartoon picture of a boy blowing a horn. This is one of about five trademarks they had. One was like a cartoon rocket. Strange, but then again what do you expect out of people who wore carved, wooden shoes?

Actually, I could buy several NT's if I sold some of my amps, but you can't get any money for them right now. I refuse to sell a $350 amp for $250!

I'm lost again. I didn't know about the Marshall 5 watt. Please use the preamp tube thread to tell me about it. Got a link?

I don't know if Josh put his tutorial on this thread or the one about, "Show Us Your Guitars." If I remember right I was the proud Daddy of a brand new 2009 Gibson Explorer and I needed to be shown how to post the pic's. Luckily, I figured it out before Josh left his directions (that were kick ass). I was told to use "Tiny Pics" and they didn't work worth a damn. My next try was Photo Bucket and they worked great. You have an uploader and it has like seven picture sizes. Some are titled, "15-inch screen, 17-inch screen and 19-inch screen...yah man, that's some big pictures." You select the size picture you want and hit "Upload." This opens your browser and you select either "Your Documents" or "Your Pictures." Once you are in "Your Pictures," you select the picture you want and double click on it. This loads the pic to Photo Bucket. To be short, you can edit your pic if you want. If you are happy with it, you point to the picture and four different links come up. You want the last one. Click on it and right click "Copy." Go to Marshall Forum, add your text and then copy and paste the link. It should begin and end with IMG. There you have it, DONE!

Maybe I'll make us some cool friggin' tube T-Shirts. 12AX7...No, it's not an Algebra quiz nimrod! (Hey, that one's not bad

.)

I think I would prefer the NT over a 5W Marshall. I need more info on it though.

solarburnDSL50 · 08-08-2009, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartyStrat54

Yeah I know what you mean about the glasses. I put mine on and and thought I was looking at a picture of the Rocky Mountains.

Of course Joe you know that real frickin' old Amperex were called Bugle Boy and had a cartoon picture of a boy blowing a horn. This is one of about five trademarks they had. One was like a cartoon rocket. Strange, but then again what do you expect out of people who wore carved, wooden shoes?

Actually, I could buy several NT's if I sold some of my amps, but you can't get any money for them right now. I refuse to sell a $350 amp for $250!

I'm lost again. I didn't know about the Marshall 5 watt. Please use the preamp tube thread to tell me about it. Got a link?

I don't know if Josh put his tutorial on this thread or the one about, "Show Us Your Guitars." If I remember right I was the proud Daddy of a brand new 2009 Gibson Explorer and I needed to be shown how to post the pic's. Luckily, I figured it out before Josh left his directions (that were kick ass). I was told to use "Tiny Pics" and they didn't work worth a damn. My next try was Photo Bucket and they worked great. You have an uploader and it has like seven picture sizes. Some are titled, "15-inch screen, 17-inch screen and 19-inch screen...yah man, that's some big pictures." You select the size picture you want and hit "Upload." This opens your browser and you select either "Your Documents" or "Your Pictures." Once you are in "Your Pictures," you select the picture you want and double click on it. This loads the pic to Photo Bucket. To be short, you can edit your pic if you want. If you are happy with it, you point to the picture and four different links come up. You want the last one. Click on it and right click "Copy." Go to Marshall Forum, add your text and then copy and paste the link. It should begin and end with IMG. There you have it, DONE!

Maybe I'll make us some cool friggin' tube T-Shirts. 12AX7...No, it's not an Algebra quiz nimrod! (Hey, that one's not bad

.)

I think I would prefer the NT over a 5W Marshall. I need more info on it though.

Here is a thread on the Marshall with links to it at Marshall:

Marshall Class 5

On a side note I just got off a thread about a new Randall SS Dime amp based on the old RG100ES. Dime's tech worked on it for Randall and its supposedly a direct copy of what Dime was using at one point in time. I use to have a RG100ES and it was a killer SS head. The street price for a 100 watt head is about $350 from what I have read.

PS- Thanks for the uploading info. It would be cool to have T-shirts with some of the NOS logos.

MartyStrat54 · 08-08-2009, 10:27 PM

Took a look, not interested. It's a Class A Single Ended amp. It's perfect for putting effects in the front end. There's no master volume, so you either crank it, or you use FX pedals. One of my all tube "death" distortion pedals would probably spank it all the way back home.

Does the NT have a master "V"?

solarburnDSL50 · 08-08-2009, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartyStrat54

Took a look, not interested. It's a Class A Single Ended amp. It's perfect for putting effects in the front end. There's no master volume, so you either crank it, or you use FX pedals. One of my all tube "death" distortion pedals would probably spank it all the way back home.

Does the NT have a master "V"?

Vox Night Train 15-watt Tube Guitar Amplifier Head Features:

* 15-watt all-tube guitar amplifier head
* Portable "armored box" design with included padded carrying bag
* Switchable between 15-watt Pentode Power Mode and 7.5-watt Triode Tone Mode
* Features 8-ohm and 16-ohm speaker outputs
* 2 EL84 power tubes and 2 12AX7 preamp tubes - same combination as the AC15
* Bright/Thick Switch and Treble, Middle, and Bass Controls
* Gain and Volume Controls
* 12.13" (W) x 6.30" (D) x 6.97" (H)
* Weight: 16.98 lbs
* Includes: Power cable, Speaker cable, and Carrying bag

Did I mention its a sweet amp?

MartyStrat54 · 08-09-2009, 04:09 PM

Whoo, whoo...here comes the Night Train. Yeah baby!

It's like you said about the HAZE. "I can already get that tone, I wanted something that sounded different."

I have been looking at a lot of small amps and the nice thing about the NT is that you can chop the output by half and the amp is in triode mode basically running as a Class A or a very high Class AB.

Have you played the old NT in the half power mode much? Is it creamier sounding over the full power pentode mode?

My only bitch is I wish it had (2) 12AX7's for V1 and V2 and then the PI. You can't win them all. As it said, same tube lineup as the AC15. (Gee, you mean it makes 15 watts too?)

I decided that I didn't want to go with the nano amps. I mean they have some great purpose. I'm sure they make killer recording amps. The noise floor must be nonexistent. They would be something to get if you had all your other amps. Me? I still would like to have a FUCH's. They are really sweet and they start with an EL84 amp and go all the way up to a 150 watt amp with (6) 6550's. That's covering some ground, hey cowboy?

Fuchs Audio Technology | Handcrafted Tube Boutique Guitar Amplification | Plush Pedals | Home

MartyStrat54 · 08-09-2009, 04:25 PM

For all of you that are coming here for the first time, we really do talk about preamp tubes and we really do test them and report our findings. However, sometimes other topics pop up and there are several of us "regulars" that take advantage of this. We should probably PM each other, but it is so much easier to just post on the thread.

If you are looking for immediate advice about anything tube related, pre or power, simply post a message and we will get back to you asap.

Thanks for your understanding.

MartyStrat54 · 08-09-2009, 06:29 PM

Just thought that I would submit this picture. I have others that I think make me look better, but this one was taken with my old college drummer. We had a band on the side and we did Heart, Quarterflash and Pat Benatar, plus early AC/DC. I sang the AC/DC and the chick singer (who was going to be my first wife) handled the majority of our set. Just so you know who you are dealing with. That's me on the left wearing a HAMER T-Shirt. (I was going to get one, but then I got the 2009 Explorer for only $850 and I didn't need the Hamer Explorer after that. If you other guys get a chance, post a current mug shot of yourself.)

MartyStrat54 · 08-09-2009, 07:12 PM

And let's not forget the mighty B and K 707 Tube Tester. My little baby. It serves me well.

solarburnDSL50 · 08-09-2009, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartyStrat54

Just thought that I would submit this picture. I have others that I think make me look better, but this one was taken with my old college drummer. We had a band on the side and we did Heart, Quarterflash and Pat Benatar, plus early AC/DC. I sang the AC/DC and the chick singer (who was going to be my first wife) handled the majority of our set. Just so you know who you are dealing with. That's me on the left wearing a HAMER T-Shirt. (I was going to get one, but then I got the 2009 Explorer for only $850 and I didn't need the Hamer Explorer after that. If you other guys get a chance, post a current mug shot of yourself.)

I knew you were the one on the left. I guessed right.

Great to meet ya Marty! Its very cool being able to know the face behind the tubes/thread hehe.

The Manimal is here!

solarburnDSL50 · 08-10-2009, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartyStrat54

And let's not forget the mighty B and K 707 Tube Tester. My little baby. It serves me well.

I wish for one...

MartyStrat54 · 08-10-2009, 12:03 PM

Joe, I don't want you to be walking around misinformed. You can buy a used 707 for about $300. Now mine has been calibrated and the rectifier tube removed and replaced with solid state rectification. This is the third one that I have owned. I started out with a 50's model that was actually built with a better top (all annealed copper), but the tube sockets were worn out. I actually had to bend pins on 12AX7's to get them to make contact so I could test them. I found a better one for less money than the first. I sold the old one on EBAY for $275. (I made money on this deal.) Finally, I bought this last one on EBAY and it was being sold by a family. It was their father's B and K, from his TV serviceman's days. I paid $285 for it and all of the sockets were good.

I've seen these go for over $500 on EBAY. Mostly ignorant clowns getting involved in a feeding frenzy. I think the current price is right at $300. The trick is buying one that isn't worn out. As you see, I wasn't lucky the first couple of times. When I got this one and all was good, I went through it and calibrated it per the factory specs. Hard to believe it sold for over a thousand dollars when new back in the early 60's.

solarburnDSL50 · 08-10-2009, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartyStrat54

Joe, I don't want you to be walking around misinformed. You can buy a used 707 for about $300. Now mine has been calibrated and the rectifier tube removed and replaced with solid state rectification. This is the third one that I have owned. I started out with a 50's model that was actually built with a better top (all annealed copper), but the tube sockets were worn out. I actually had to bend pins on 12AX7's to get them to make contact so I could test them. I found a better one for less money than the first. I sold the old one on EBAY for $275. (I made money on this deal.) Finally, I bought this last one on EBAY and it was being sold by a family. It was their father's B and K, from his TV serviceman's days. I paid $285 for it and all of the sockets were good.

I've seen these go for over $500 on EBAY. Mostly ignorant clowns getting involved in a feeding frenzy. I think the current price is right at $300. The trick is buying one that isn't worn out. As you see, I wasn't lucky the first couple of times. When I got this one and all was good, I went through it and calibrated it per the factory specs. Hard to believe it sold for over a thousand dollars when new back in the early 60's.

Oh crikey! I thought they were way more. Glad you said something before I foobahed all over the place hehe. Yeah I thought they were all pretty spendy machines.

MartyStrat54 · 08-10-2009, 05:45 PM

There are other tube testers that are the same electronically as mine, but they demand more money, because they have a following of people who think they are better. One of the testers is a TV7. It was made by Hickok for the military. So naturally, if it's made for the military it has to be good. I'm not sold on it. My machine sets up much faster and I can test a lot of different tubes quicker than that TV7. That's the beauty of a B and K 707, they are fast. I went through all those tubes Josh sent me pretty damn fast and I was watching a baseball game while I was doing it. I looked around, listened to other owners and even researched the history of the B and K testers and I was sold on them.

joshuaaewallen · 08-10-2009, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartyStrat54

Whoo, whoo...here comes the Night Train. Yeah baby!

It's like you said about the HAZE. "I can already get that tone, I wanted something that sounded different."

I have been looking at a lot of small amps and the nice thing about the NT is that you can chop the output by half and the amp is in triode mode basically running as a Class A or a very high Class AB.

Have you played the old NT in the half power mode much? Is it creamier sounding over the full power pentode mode?

My only bitch is I wish it had (2) 12AX7's for V1 and V2 and then the PI. You can't win them all. As it said, same tube lineup as the AC15. (Gee, you mean it makes 15 watts too?)

I decided that I didn't want to go with the nano amps. I mean they have some great purpose. I'm sure they make killer recording amps. The noise floor must be nonexistent. They would be something to get if you had all your other amps. Me? I still would like to have a FUCH's. They are really sweet and they start with an EL84 amp and go all the way up to a 150 watt amp with (6) 6550's. That's covering some ground, hey cowboy?

Fuchs Audio Technology | Handcrafted Tube Boutique Guitar Amplification | Plush Pedals | Home

Fuchs amps are pretty sweet... But outta my budget.

QUOTE=MartyStrat54;53241]... That's me on the left wearing a HAMER T-Shirt. (I was going to get one, but then I got the 2009 Explorer for only $850 and I didn't need the Hamer Explorer after that. If you other guys get a chance, post a current mug shot of yourself.)

[/QUOTE]

Handsome Devil.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartyStrat54

And let's not forget the mighty B and K 707 Tube Tester. My little baby. It serves me well.

Again... Handsome Devil!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartyStrat54

... Actually, I could buy several NT's if I sold some of my amps, but you can't get any money for them right now. I refuse to sell a $350 amp for $250!

I'm lost again. I didn't know about the Marshall 5 watt. Please use the preamp tube thread to tell me about it. Got a link?

I don't know if Josh put his tutorial on this thread or the one about, "Show Us Your Guitars." If I remember right I was the proud Daddy of a brand new 2009 Gibson Explorer and I needed to be shown how to post the pic's. Luckily, I figured it out before Josh left his directions (that were kick ass). I was told to use "Tiny Pics" and they didn't work worth a damn. My next try was Photo Bucket and they worked great. You have an uploader and it has like seven picture sizes. Some are titled, "15-inch screen, 17-inch screen and 19-inch screen...yah man, that's some big pictures." You select the size picture you want and hit "Upload." This opens your browser and you select either "Your Documents" or "Your Pictures." Once you are in "Your Pictures," you select the picture you want and double click on it. This loads the pic to Photo Bucket. To be short, you can edit your pic if you want. If you are happy with it, you point to the picture and four different links come up. You want the last one. Click on it and right click "Copy." Go to Marshall Forum, add your text and then copy and paste the link. It should begin and end with IMG. There you have it, DONE!

Maybe I'll make us some cool friggin' tube T-Shirts. 12AX7...No, it's not an Algebra quiz nimrod! (Hey, that one's not bad

.)

I think I would prefer the NT over a 5W Marshall. I need more info on it though.

Looks like ya got the picture posting all figured out... But if there is anything along those lines that I can help any of you out with, just let me know.

I'd buy cool NOS logo shirts. That'd be pretty sweet. And I like the looks of the Marshall Class 5 too, but I wish it had a gain/master volume setup on it... I know it has a head phone out, but it's just not the same...
__________________________________________________ __

Finally got a chance to pour on some volume w/ the GE Twins in slots 3 & 4. This time, since the wife was outta the house I cranked the volume on clean to 6, crunchh to 7, and lead to 7.5. I have not really had a chance to put that kinda volume on this amp EVER. Wow that amp gets fat sounding! It's such a totally different animal when ya crank it up. Can't stand to be in the same room w/ it for sheer volume, but the tone is soo creamy it's incredible! Next up will be those two lovely ladies that Marty sent me! (Palms rubbing together in eager anticipation

)

MartyStrat54 · 08-10-2009, 08:21 PM

Well I had to work out a deal today that had kind of went sour. I bought $325 worth of tubes off of this guy. When they got here the six 1959 RCA "D" Getters were perfect. The GE 7025 was very nice. Then problems. The Philips ECG 7025 was 53-33!!! I moved on to six Sylvania Green Label 12AX7's. OMG! These were some of the hottest tubes I have ever seen. 50-38, 40-38, 42-32, 9 (yes 9)-32, 34-36 and 37-31. I decided to be a nice (dumb) guy and keep the 34-36 and 37-31 tubes. You know a big window for the PI slot. (At least we know that you can use these super high gainers in V3 and V4 without any ill effects. However, the rest of the stuff I'm sending back. Tested? Hmm

, I wonder how that 9-32 got by him. Anyway, I worked out a deal with him and I hope that the new tubes he sends are decent. Every time I get a whole bunch of tubes, I just pray that they all will be between 22 and 30. You know like 23-24, 27-25, 28-30. Tubes like that. I have a lot of 12AX7's that are 31-33, 32-29 and such. These are on the borderline of overpowering the first preamp stage in the old Marshall. Again, some people will take less clean for more rip and tear and a 31-33 will rip and tear.

joshuaaewallen · 08-10-2009, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartyStrat54

... The Philips ECG 7025 was 53-33!!! I moved on to six Sylvania Green Label 12AX7's. OMG! These were some of the hottest tubes I have ever seen. 50-38, 40-38, 42-32, 9 (yes 9)-32, 34-36 and 37-31...

53-33? Holly Hannah! Talk about a wild ride? I mean... What was the original ICBM? Did that come close to touching 53? Whew!

Ok... I know I haven't really had a ton to say lately, but I have been following along... Maybe I missed it, but has anyone here actually tried a super high-gainer like the ICBM or beyond in V4 yet? If so... What were the results?

jcmjmp · 08-10-2009, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by solarburnDSL50

Those JJ pres are the culprit. From what I hear the 34L's have healthy amount of lowend too. I got the high gain kit from eurotubes with the KT77's and those JJ pres dulled my tone up. Changing to other preamp tubes made a significant change for the better. My EQ adjustments started working again meaning I had more balanced(frequency wise)preamp tubes in there. I had way more variations in tone too. I think their character are just a bit too strong especially 4 at once.

Like I say I know guys who really like them especially in bright amps. I have a bright amp and I still didn't like what I got from them. It doesn't matter to me. I put in what I like. Try a couple from Marty and you may be real glad you did.

Winged C EL34's are my favorite Current Production power tubes. Nice and open sounding. NOS power tubes are gonna cost ya if you ever go that far.

I've had the same problem with JJ tubes. Their 12AX7 sounds a little dull. The sizzle is missing. Just not my thing although some people love 'em. I figure that anyone that would do a blind A/B test with JJs VS say a Tung Sol would prefer the TS, even in a bright amp. They're OK in the PI position though. I have a couple of JJs in my amps and that's the only place I can tolerate them.

In three of my amps, I currently run some USA made 7025s in V1, Tung Sol or Chinese 12ax7 for the rest and the occasional JJ in PI as I said earlier.

For the EL-34s, the =C= is definitely the top tube on the market in terms of tone and reliability.

08-07-2009, 10:14 PM	#841 (permalink)
MartyStrat54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Formerly Phoenix, now north of KC Posts: 2,583	Re: Preamp Tubes? - Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How? Hey I've been spending a little time on TGP. Man those guys get into bitter arguments about tubes. NOS vs CP. JJ vs Tung-Sol. I felt good when I realized that they were already using the "new" term that I had started using...ANOS, Almost New Old Stock. I just decided to start using it, because it made sense and lo and behold, it was already being used. Man that took a load off of me. I thought that I had come up with something new. ANOS. Like I fell off the back of the truck and my ANOS hurts real bad. Something like that. __________________ MARTY 2009 Gibson Explorer-Hell Raising Machine 1989 Fender Strat Plus USA 2008 Fender Tele USA 2004 Schecter Elite w/DiMarzio's TSL100 with custom 4x12 cab. TSL122 with Man 'O War Speakers. TSL602 #1 with JBL D123 Speakers and 602 #2 with Altec 417 Speakers. "Oh so sweet my friends." DSL401 #1 with Red Fang Speaker and 401 #2 with JBL D123 Speaker. Tubes: Let's just say they are NOS that kick ass.

08-07-2009, 11:01 PM	#843 (permalink)
MartyStrat54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Formerly Phoenix, now north of KC Posts: 2,583	Re: Preamp Tubes? - Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How? Holy Shittah!!! Man, I need to raise my prices!!! $55 for ANOS RCA 7025. Somebody did somebody a big favor. Holy cow! Every time I go to KCA I almost have a coronary. I could make some real good money selling my RCA 7025's for $55. Well, I've just a fat one with Slash and I feel better now. I'm afraid to look at NEW prices. Wow! I wonder what those Amperex EL84's will bring? I think I'll keep them and sell the quad of Telefunkens. I should get $250 for them. We'll see. I'm afraid I'll get me a Night Train and I'll want to spank it hard with some Tele's or Holland's finest. Thanks Slash! __________________ MARTY 2009 Gibson Explorer-Hell Raising Machine 1989 Fender Strat Plus USA 2008 Fender Tele USA 2004 Schecter Elite w/DiMarzio's TSL100 with custom 4x12 cab. TSL122 with Man 'O War Speakers. TSL602 #1 with JBL D123 Speakers and 602 #2 with Altec 417 Speakers. "Oh so sweet my friends." DSL401 #1 with Red Fang Speaker and 401 #2 with JBL D123 Speaker. Tubes: Let's just say they are NOS that kick ass.

08-08-2009, 02:38 PM	#850 (permalink)
MartyStrat54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Formerly Phoenix, now north of KC Posts: 2,583	Re: Preamp Tubes? - Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How? I got off my butt because I had to do a little tube testing. I'm going to move some 6BQ5/EL84's. Out of curiosity, I opened one of the boxes with the Amperex EL84. I tell you, I just don't notice things like I used to, or I forget. These Amperex are a matched quad made on 02-1952!!! OMG! These are old and they look brand new. The tubes are labeled "Packard Bell," but they still say, "Made by Amperex." Also, the standard, "Made in Holland" at the top of the tube. However, these tubes are so old that Amperex put their old trademark on the tubes. It is like an orbiting atom. Again, a very old trademark. I hate to say it, but these tubes deserve a top notched hi fi amp. There to nice to go into a guitar. I did try them once and they were creamy smooth. Nice blend of low end and a real sweet top. I only had them in my 401 for about two weeks and then I put Sylvania Black Plates in. Of course this gave thicker mid's and and airy top. Still a great set of tubes. The other 401 has RCA NIB/NOS Gray Plates and at $40 a piece they better sound good. If I new how to do half the stuff that Josh knows how to do on this forum, I'd be editing, laying pic's down and smokin' with Slash all the time. Damn younger generation...born with a laptop. __________________ MARTY 2009 Gibson Explorer-Hell Raising Machine 1989 Fender Strat Plus USA 2008 Fender Tele USA 2004 Schecter Elite w/DiMarzio's TSL100 with custom 4x12 cab. TSL122 with Man 'O War Speakers. TSL602 #1 with JBL D123 Speakers and 602 #2 with Altec 417 Speakers. "Oh so sweet my friends." DSL401 #1 with Red Fang Speaker and 401 #2 with JBL D123 Speaker. Tubes: Let's just say they are NOS that kick ass.

08-08-2009, 06:22 PM	#851 (permalink)
MartyStrat54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Formerly Phoenix, now north of KC Posts: 2,583	Re: Preamp Tubes? - Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How? Well I got a s*t load of 6BQ5's listed on EBAY. Thought I'd get rid of some of them BP's and GP's I had sitting around. I took some pic's of the Amperex tubes and I hope they are halfway decent. Let me see if I remember how to do this? And here is a slightly different angle. Well, now I will see what I just did when I hit the "Submit Reply" button. __________________ MARTY* 2009 Gibson Explorer-Hell Raising Machine 1989 Fender Strat Plus USA 2008 Fender Tele USA 2004 Schecter Elite w/DiMarzio's TSL100 with custom 4x12 cab. TSL122 with Man 'O War Speakers. TSL602 #1 with JBL D123 Speakers and 602 #2 with Altec 417 Speakers. "Oh so sweet my friends." DSL401 #1 with Red Fang Speaker and 401 #2 with JBL D123 Speaker. Tubes: Let's just say they are NOS that kick ass.

08-08-2009, 06:33 PM	#852 (permalink)
MartyStrat54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Formerly Phoenix, now north of KC Posts: 2,583	Re: Preamp Tubes? - Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How? Wow! That's some crappy pictures. I thought they would come out better than that. Anyway, you can see the old Amperex "Atomic" trademark and just under that is the, "Made by Amperex." Most relabeled tubes only carried the "buyer's" name and the real manufacturer would use different methods to "leave their mark" on the tube. RCA has the "Stop Sign" logo with the part number etched inside of the octagon. Raytheon used a heavy etching on the part number. Sylvania used "dot matrix" and USA. GE would have their codes all printed in white on the tube. Later, tube manufacturer's basically said, "If you want to buy our tube, our name goes on it." Well that lasted until about 1963 or so when relabeled tubes were back to having just the buyer's name on them. You have to be a private eye to figure out who made some of the tubes out there. (Example: Tung-Sol used the "octagon" for quite some time until big RCA got them to stop. Some old tubes, you don't know if it's a Tung-Sol or an RCA. Sorry for the shitty pictures. I'll have to get my tripod out and some good lighting. These digital camera's sometimes have too much flash. __________________ MARTY 2009 Gibson Explorer-Hell Raising Machine 1989 Fender Strat Plus USA 2008 Fender Tele USA 2004 Schecter Elite w/DiMarzio's TSL100 with custom 4x12 cab. TSL122 with Man 'O War Speakers. TSL602 #1 with JBL D123 Speakers and 602 #2 with Altec 417 Speakers. "Oh so sweet my friends." DSL401 #1 with Red Fang Speaker and 401 #2 with JBL D123 Speaker. Tubes: Let's just say they are NOS that kick ass.

08-08-2009, 10:27 PM	#856 (permalink)
MartyStrat54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Formerly Phoenix, now north of KC Posts: 2,583	Re: Preamp Tubes? - Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How? Took a look, not interested. It's a Class A Single Ended amp. It's perfect for putting effects in the front end. There's no master volume, so you either crank it, or you use FX pedals. One of my all tube "death" distortion pedals would probably spank it all the way back home. Does the NT have a master "V"? __________________ MARTY 2009 Gibson Explorer-Hell Raising Machine 1989 Fender Strat Plus USA 2008 Fender Tele USA 2004 Schecter Elite w/DiMarzio's TSL100 with custom 4x12 cab. TSL122 with Man 'O War Speakers. TSL602 #1 with JBL D123 Speakers and 602 #2 with Altec 417 Speakers. "Oh so sweet my friends." DSL401 #1 with Red Fang Speaker and 401 #2 with JBL D123 Speaker. Tubes: Let's just say they are NOS that kick ass.

08-09-2009, 04:09 PM	#858 (permalink)
MartyStrat54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Formerly Phoenix, now north of KC Posts: 2,583	Re: Preamp Tubes? - Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How? Whoo, whoo...here comes the Night Train. Yeah baby! It's like you said about the HAZE. "I can already get that tone, I wanted something that sounded different." I have been looking at a lot of small amps and the nice thing about the NT is that you can chop the output by half and the amp is in triode mode basically running as a Class A or a very high Class AB. Have you played the old NT in the half power mode much? Is it creamier sounding over the full power pentode mode? My only bitch is I wish it had (2) 12AX7's for V1 and V2 and then the PI. You can't win them all. As it said, same tube lineup as the AC15. (Gee, you mean it makes 15 watts too?) I decided that I didn't want to go with the nano amps. I mean they have some great purpose. I'm sure they make killer recording amps. The noise floor must be nonexistent. They would be something to get if you had all your other amps. Me? I still would like to have a FUCH's. They are really sweet and they start with an EL84 amp and go all the way up to a 150 watt amp with (6) 6550's. That's covering some ground, hey cowboy? Fuchs Audio Technology \| Handcrafted Tube Boutique Guitar Amplification \| Plush Pedals \| Home __________________ MARTY 2009 Gibson Explorer-Hell Raising Machine 1989 Fender Strat Plus USA 2008 Fender Tele USA 2004 Schecter Elite w/DiMarzio's TSL100 with custom 4x12 cab. TSL122 with Man 'O War Speakers. TSL602 #1 with JBL D123 Speakers and 602 #2 with Altec 417 Speakers. "Oh so sweet my friends." DSL401 #1 with Red Fang Speaker and 401 #2 with JBL D123 Speaker. Tubes: Let's just say they are NOS that kick ass.

08-09-2009, 04:25 PM	#859 (permalink)
MartyStrat54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Formerly Phoenix, now north of KC Posts: 2,583	Re: Preamp Tubes? - Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How? For all of you that are coming here for the first time, we really do talk about preamp tubes and we really do test them and report our findings. However, sometimes other topics pop up and there are several of us "regulars" that take advantage of this. We should probably PM each other, but it is so much easier to just post on the thread. If you are looking for immediate advice about anything tube related, pre or power, simply post a message and we will get back to you asap. Thanks for your understanding. __________________ MARTY 2009 Gibson Explorer-Hell Raising Machine 1989 Fender Strat Plus USA 2008 Fender Tele USA 2004 Schecter Elite w/DiMarzio's TSL100 with custom 4x12 cab. TSL122 with Man 'O War Speakers. TSL602 #1 with JBL D123 Speakers and 602 #2 with Altec 417 Speakers. "Oh so sweet my friends." DSL401 #1 with Red Fang Speaker and 401 #2 with JBL D123 Speaker. Tubes: Let's just say they are NOS that kick ass. Last edited by MartyStrat54; 08-09-2009 at 11:20 PM.

08-09-2009, 06:29 PM	#860 (permalink)
MartyStrat54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Formerly Phoenix, now north of KC Posts: 2,583	Re: Preamp Tubes? - Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How? Just thought that I would submit this picture. I have others that I think make me look better, but this one was taken with my old college drummer. We had a band on the side and we did Heart, Quarterflash and Pat Benatar, plus early AC/DC. I sang the AC/DC and the chick singer (who was going to be my first wife) handled the majority of our set. Just so you know who you are dealing with. That's me on the left wearing a HAMER T-Shirt. (I was going to get one, but then I got the 2009 Explorer for only $850 and I didn't need the Hamer Explorer after that. If you other guys get a chance, post a current mug shot of yourself.) __________________ MARTY 2009 Gibson Explorer-Hell Raising Machine 1989 Fender Strat Plus USA 2008 Fender Tele USA 2004 Schecter Elite w/DiMarzio's TSL100 with custom 4x12 cab. TSL122 with Man 'O War Speakers. TSL602 #1 with JBL D123 Speakers and 602 #2 with Altec 417 Speakers. "Oh so sweet my friends." DSL401 #1 with Red Fang Speaker and 401 #2 with JBL D123 Speaker. Tubes: Let's just say they are NOS that kick ass.

08-09-2009, 07:12 PM	#861 (permalink)
MartyStrat54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Formerly Phoenix, now north of KC Posts: 2,583	Re: Preamp Tubes? - Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How? And let's not forget the mighty B and K 707 Tube Tester. My little baby. It serves me well. __________________ MARTY 2009 Gibson Explorer-Hell Raising Machine 1989 Fender Strat Plus USA 2008 Fender Tele USA 2004 Schecter Elite w/DiMarzio's TSL100 with custom 4x12 cab. TSL122 with Man 'O War Speakers. TSL602 #1 with JBL D123 Speakers and 602 #2 with Altec 417 Speakers. "Oh so sweet my friends." DSL401 #1 with Red Fang Speaker and 401 #2 with JBL D123 Speaker. Tubes: Let's just say they are NOS that kick ass.

08-10-2009, 12:03 PM	#864 (permalink)
MartyStrat54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Formerly Phoenix, now north of KC Posts: 2,583	Re: Preamp Tubes? - Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How? Joe, I don't want you to be walking around misinformed. You can buy a used 707 for about $300. Now mine has been calibrated and the rectifier tube removed and replaced with solid state rectification. This is the third one that I have owned. I started out with a 50's model that was actually built with a better top (all annealed copper), but the tube sockets were worn out. I actually had to bend pins on 12AX7's to get them to make contact so I could test them. I found a better one for less money than the first. I sold the old one on EBAY for $275. (I made money on this deal.) Finally, I bought this last one on EBAY and it was being sold by a family. It was their father's B and K, from his TV serviceman's days. I paid $285 for it and all of the sockets were good. I've seen these go for over $500 on EBAY. Mostly ignorant clowns getting involved in a feeding frenzy. I think the current price is right at $300. The trick is buying one that isn't worn out. As you see, I wasn't lucky the first couple of times. When I got this one and all was good, I went through it and calibrated it per the factory specs. Hard to believe it sold for over a thousand dollars when new back in the early 60's. __________________ MARTY 2009 Gibson Explorer-Hell Raising Machine 1989 Fender Strat Plus USA 2008 Fender Tele USA 2004 Schecter Elite w/DiMarzio's TSL100 with custom 4x12 cab. TSL122 with Man 'O War Speakers. TSL602 #1 with JBL D123 Speakers and 602 #2 with Altec 417 Speakers. "Oh so sweet my friends." DSL401 #1 with Red Fang Speaker and 401 #2 with JBL D123 Speaker. Tubes: Let's just say they are NOS that kick ass.

08-10-2009, 05:45 PM	#866 (permalink)
MartyStrat54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Formerly Phoenix, now north of KC Posts: 2,583	Re: Preamp Tubes? - Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How? There are other tube testers that are the same electronically as mine, but they demand more money, because they have a following of people who think they are better. One of the testers is a TV7. It was made by Hickok for the military. So naturally, if it's made for the military it has to be good. I'm not sold on it. My machine sets up much faster and I can test a lot of different tubes quicker than that TV7. That's the beauty of a B and K 707, they are fast. I went through all those tubes Josh sent me pretty damn fast and I was watching a baseball game while I was doing it. I looked around, listened to other owners and even researched the history of the B and K testers and I was sold on them. __________________ MARTY 2009 Gibson Explorer-Hell Raising Machine 1989 Fender Strat Plus USA 2008 Fender Tele USA 2004 Schecter Elite w/DiMarzio's TSL100 with custom 4x12 cab. TSL122 with Man 'O War Speakers. TSL602 #1 with JBL D123 Speakers and 602 #2 with Altec 417 Speakers. "Oh so sweet my friends." DSL401 #1 with Red Fang Speaker and 401 #2 with JBL D123 Speaker. Tubes: Let's just say they are NOS that kick ass.

08-10-2009, 08:21 PM	#868 (permalink)
MartyStrat54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Formerly Phoenix, now north of KC Posts: 2,583	Re: Preamp Tubes? - Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How? Well I had to work out a deal today that had kind of went sour. I bought $325 worth of tubes off of this guy. When they got here the six 1959 RCA "D" Getters were perfect. The GE 7025 was very nice. Then problems. The Philips ECG 7025 was 53-33!!! I moved on to six Sylvania Green Label 12AX7's. OMG! These were some of the hottest tubes I have ever seen. 50-38, 40-38, 42-32, 9 (yes 9)-32, 34-36 and 37-31. I decided to be a nice (dumb) guy and keep the 34-36 and 37-31 tubes. You know a big window for the PI slot. (At least we know that you can use these super high gainers in V3 and V4 without any ill effects. However, the rest of the stuff I'm sending back. Tested? Hmm, I wonder how that 9-32 got by him. Anyway, I worked out a deal with him and I hope that the new tubes he sends are decent. Every time I get a whole bunch of tubes, I just pray that they all will be between 22 and 30. You know like 23-24, 27-25, 28-30. Tubes like that. I have a lot of 12AX7's that are 31-33, 32-29 and such. These are on the borderline of overpowering the first preamp stage in the old Marshall. Again, some people will take less clean for more rip and tear and a 31-33 will rip and tear. __________________ MARTY 2009 Gibson Explorer-Hell Raising Machine 1989 Fender Strat Plus USA 2008 Fender Tele USA 2004 Schecter Elite w/DiMarzio's TSL100 with custom 4x12 cab. TSL122 with Man 'O War Speakers. TSL602 #1 with JBL D123 Speakers and 602 #2 with Altec 417 Speakers. "Oh so sweet my friends." DSL401 #1 with Red Fang Speaker and 401 #2 with JBL D123 Speaker. Tubes: Let's just say they are NOS that kick ass.

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