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Topic: reliable 12AX7 tube |
Hiro Keitora
From:
New York, New York
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Posted 25 Aug 2016 4:56 pm |
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Hi guys,
I asked this question before, but the world of tube market has been changing and I don't even know what brand to buy.
A few years ago, something like Chinese Golden Dragon was good, and I bought a few, but wasn't that impressed-
Good old Sovtek keeps failing and becomes micro-phonic.
What's the latest?
I like to stock up a dozen of those, but I don't know which ones to get anymore.
Any idea?  |
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Edward Rhea
From:
Medford Oklahoma, USA
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Posted 25 Aug 2016 6:03 pm
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| I just bought an RCA tube off of Ebay recently. It was used but tested good, sounds much better than the Groove Tube I had. I payed about $2 more than I would've for a brand new tube, and it's most likely a better tube! |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 26 Aug 2016 2:40 am
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| The original 12AX7 in my Carvin BX500 failed after about 6 months (I was getting some slight distortion). I put in a NOS RCA 12AX7. It sounded better than the original but it only lasted about 8 months. I suspect time has taken its toll on the tube even though it had never been used. I now have a Russian made Tung Sol in the amp. It sounds very close to the RCA. How long it will last? |
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Nathan Laudenbach
From:
Montana
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Posted 26 Aug 2016 5:33 am
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| Tungsol 12AX7. I just had my Pro Junior serviced by an excellent amp builder in the Bozeman area. He recommended Tungsol 12AX7s. |
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Jon Light (deceased)
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 26 Aug 2016 5:47 am
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| Guys like Tim Marcus and Brad Sarno who are equipping their products with new OEM tubes will give a good read of the state of the new tube market. It does seem to be constantly shifting with old favorites becoming unreliable, dodgy choices. |
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Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
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Posted 26 Aug 2016 6:20 am
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| JJ tubes, ECC83S has been a winnber for me over the years. |
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Mark Fowler
From:
Minnesota, USA
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Posted 26 Aug 2016 9:26 am
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| Mostly JJ ECC83 12ax7 type has been my main tube choice, I of course try others all the time including NOS when I get a deal on one. |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 26 Aug 2016 9:05 pm
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If you're 20 years old, buy a couple European NOS ECC83s. They sound wonderful, and will last you until you die!
_________________
Dr. Z Surgical Steel amp, amazing!
"74 Bud S-10 3&6
'73 Bud S-10 3&5(under construction)
'63 Fingertip S-10, at James awaiting 6 knees
'57 Strat, LP Blue
'91 Tele with 60's Maple neck
Dozen more guitars!
Dozens of amps, but SF Quad reverb, Rick Johnson cabs. JBL 15, '64 Vibroverb for at home.
'52 and '56 Pro Amps |
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James Holland
From:
Alabama, USA
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Posted 27 Aug 2016 3:39 am Re: reliable 12AX7 tube
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| Hiro Keitora wrote: |
Hi guys,
I asked this question before, but the world of tube market has been changing and I don't even know what brand to buy.
A few years ago, something like Chinese Golden Dragon was good, and I bought a few, but wasn't that impressed-
Good old Sovtek keeps failing and becomes micro-phonic.
What's the latest?
I like to stock up a dozen of those, but I don't know which ones to get anymore.
Any idea? |
Sovetek's are widely regarded as super-tough? Mine are over a decade old in one amp. What are you calling "failure"? Also, what are you calling "microphonic"? |
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Hiro Keitora
From:
New York, New York
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Posted 29 Aug 2016 8:51 am
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Thanks guys! I wasn't having good luck with Sovtek WA, WB stuff,
I'll get some JJ and Tongsol.  |
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