It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:45 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 3 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: New tubes for Champ and VC
Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2012 5:10 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Fri May 25, 2012 3:14 am
Posts: 87
Hi all,
I’m looking at new, old or NOS tubes for my '65 Vibro Champ and '77 Champ.... any suggestions on what will make this even sweeter...

Thanks

_________________
If you can't afford it, don't need it and have no room left, buy it anyway!!!!!!!


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: New tubes for Champ and VC
Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2012 8:15 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jul 03, 2010 2:18 pm
Posts: 6544
There are several pretty good new-production 12AX7 types out there. The RI Mullard or Tungsol 12AX7 has been a good choice. TS tend to sound Fender clean. And the Mullard tends to sound more British. One thing about the Mullard. It is long plate. So, try to buy either from a seller that tests them for noise as well as strength.

As for NOS... there are a ton of potentially good 12AX7 (ECC83) types. The key with NOS is "potentially." As many bad tubes are dumped onto the market. Caveat Emptor! My favorite? The BP Raytheon 12AX7A, Sylvania "square getter" 12AX7, Valvo or Tesla E83CC, TFK ECC83... the list goes on-&-on. Lot of very good NOS, but you need to do hoemwork on tone and patience in shopping.

Unfortunately, you can sopend a fortune on smal signal tubes. esp the 12AX7 types. Be very careful buying these. As a lot of noisy tubes are sold as NOS.

Check the prices on these real Tesla E83CC!!! Frame grid, gold pins. These last forever, provided they aren't born noisy.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/THE-ULTIMATE-Ma ... 27cd5e8ff6


As for the 6V6GT, I've only had issues with the new RI TS 6V6GT. Thermal runaway, in three different batches. The TAD 6V6GT has worked well i none of my PRs. One thing here, this tube (as with most Chinese manufactured output tubes) initially tends to glow purple. Mostly from contaminates of the manufacturing process. So let the tube idle a bit before really cranking up the volume.

If you want to go NOS. Any RCA gray glass, "Made in USA" TS 6V6GTA, GE BP, Raytheon 6V6GTY, Dang, ANY US made 1950-60's tube is an excellent choice. US mil spec 1940-50's VT-107B are also outstanding tubes. AVOID any Russian or Chinese "mil spec" 6N6C. These cannot handle the Class "A" enviroment of the Champ or VC.

The brown based GTY and GTA are built to take higher plate voltages and Class "A" apps: My two favorite 6V6GT types are the Raytheon BP smoked glass JAN-CRP 6V6GTY and the BP clear glass Tungsol JAN-CTL 6V6GTA.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=6V6 ... &_from=R40

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=6V6 ... &_from=R40

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=6V6 ... &_from=R40
I'd go for NOS 5Y3GT rectifier. There are no "true" 5Y3GT being made anymore. This is a criticial tube. And NOS are still fairly cheap. Worth the $$$. The 5Y3WGT or 6106 is a very tough, slow-startup rectifier. They were ALL made by the famous Bendix red BAnk plant in NJ. Built to ICBM standards.

The GE 6087 is also a very good mil spec tube. Also, slow startup.


http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid= ... &_from=R40

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=GE+ ... &_from=R40

HTH! Good hunting! Many narrow the tone and tube down to several brands, eras, sub-types -- -may help with the decision process.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: New tubes for Champ and VC
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 5:14 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sat May 03, 2008 8:42 am
Posts: 30
BMW2002tii (nice car BTW), nice info!

Any benefit to matching V1and V2 12ax7s? And which runs the trem vs the preamp stages?


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 3 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: