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Post subject: tweed deluxe clone best tube choices and why?
Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 11:09 am
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It's simple really. I have a hand built tweed deluxe clone and am trying to get the best tone I can. It has a jensen speaker. Mercury magnetics transformers point to point ect... To get the best vintage blues/rock tone what tubes and why? it uses 1- 12ay7, 1- 12ax7, 2- 6v6 GT's and a GZ34. I do not care if the tubes are vintage or new or about their cost. Just great tone. Please educate me if you can?


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Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 9:09 am
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The best tubes for any tube amplifier are NOS tubes made long ago.
They may have been made in the US or the UK ( like Mullard).

NOS= New Old Stock

These are unused tubes that may be 20 to 50 years old but were never used in an amplifier or were lighty used.
You will pay a premium for these tubes but they will outlast and out perform the newly made tubes available.
All US tube factories closed down in the eighties or before due to the lack of demand for tubes since consumer electronics are mostly solid state
( transistors or ICs today).

Why are NOS tubes the best?
Tubes require a large amount of hands on labor to build correctly and they require the best of materials.
Older tubes were built better and thus they sound better than the tubes made today in China or Russia.

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Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 4:00 pm
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thanks! I kinda figured I'd be dropping some cash on N.O.S tubes. And in this amp 1 is the 12ay7, 2 is the 12ax7, 3 & 4 are 6v6gt's and then there is the GZ34. what I am looking for is which brand/model ect.. N.O.S tubes by which maker/ makers for the best over all tone. As in a mullard 12ax7 and 12ay7. and 2 RCA 6v6gts. That is what I mean. anyone have a insight?


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Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 12:12 am
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Last edited by tinker tech on Wed Jul 29, 2009 10:42 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 4:13 am
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Thanks! How does a "12au7" differ from a 12ax7 or a 12ay7? which of those tubes do yo suggest it replace? I am guessing you mean the very low gain 12ay7? Please tell me more. As far as Things not being made like they use to be.... You can still get real good stuff it's just either N.O.S or just cost a arm & a leg! I am ok with spending the money I just want to make the most informed decision I can. Thus my question here. So Gurus of tone enlighten me please!


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Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 7:14 am
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Yes, you can still get good stuff hand built in the US. I have a 5F1 tweed clone myself and I am also interested about trying new tubes. Hard to put sound on paper, wish there was a place to listen to the different tubes.


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Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 5:24 pm
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I agree!! I can't help thinking mixing mullard,rca, sylvania...ect could help find a great tone. Come on tone freaks HELP A BROTHER OUT !! I do not have a problem spend a bunch of money. If I am getting the bang for the buck.


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Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 8:34 am
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Its very hard to describe how a tube sounds in text. I can only rec. to try a set of NOS tubes in your amp and have you see if the results make the cost of these tubes worth it to you.

Mullards are among the most expensive. You can spend lots of money so I would read up on this from some of the sites that sell the tubes.

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Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2009 12:01 pm
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thanks! I guess I'll just drop some cash and see what happens.But it will have to be after I buy another tele!


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Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 10:35 am
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Last edited by tinker tech on Wed Jul 29, 2009 10:43 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Tubes for Tweed
Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 1:43 pm
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Hi Dan,
I have a killer collection of NOS and new tubes and it takes time and alot of trying different combinations of tubes to find the perfect match for your amp and playing style. First off, put a 12ax7 in V1 instead of a 12ay7 and you will have way more drive and power to your notes. I would recommend a blackplate Raytheon or RCA for V1. Your phase invertor tube (closest to the power tubes) should have perfectly balanced triodes as this splits the signal into halves - the top half goes to one power tube and the bottom half of the note goes to the other power tube. Make sure the waveforms will match up well at the output transformer by using a well balanced phase invertor. For power tubes get matched pair of NOS RCA 6V6's - black glass is best. I also like GECs which you can find from KCNOS - the finest of British audiophile tubes for sure. Your GZ34 rectifier tube should be an old Mullard or Raytheon NOS. Don't skimp on this tube as it feeds every tube in your amp it's power. If you follow the above advice you will be a very happy camper for sure.


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Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 11:13 am
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BCbassman wrote:
The best tubes for any tube amplifier are NOS tubes made long ago.
They may have been made in the US or the UK ( like Mullard).

NOS= New Old Stock

These are unused tubes that may be 20 to 50 years old but were never used in an amplifier or were lighty used.
You will pay a premium for these tubes but they will outlast and out perform the newly made tubes available.
All US tube factories closed down in the eighties or before due to the lack of demand for tubes since consumer electronics are mostly solid state
( transistors or ICs today).

Why are NOS tubes the best?
Tubes require a large amount of hands on labor to build correctly and they require the best of materials.
Older tubes were built better and thus they sound better than the tubes made today in China or Russia.


WOW!!! These sound like they are the real deal. Where can i go to get some. :D

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Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2009 10:14 pm
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thanks for all your help!


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Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 8:05 am
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Incidentally I found that this site has some informative reviews:

http://thetubestore.com/accessories.html


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Posted: Fri Mar 20, 2009 4:08 pm
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Just google up vintage nos amplifier tubes. You'll be rewarded. Mike

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