Where do you buy tubes?

[EOengineer]

For just about anything you’d throw in a popular guitar amp the NOS and ANOS markets have been “challenging” for the last couple years.

There is stuff out there. A lot of it is microphonic and/or noisy. If you’re paying less than $50/12ax7 you’re probably rolling the dice whether you know it or not.

I generally stick to current production JJ in the power section and almost anything else in the preamp. I will occasionally scoop up vintage 6V6 tubes as there aren’t many current production 6V6 that can handle the plate voltages my late 70s Deluxe Reverb puts out.

 

[la szum]

I’m finding some pretty reasonable prices on RCA 6v6gt’s on Reverb. Even a few JAN

I’m wondering it matching matters very much with this particular amp? Someone is selling a pair of RCA JAN 6v6gt’s that are matched ~6%

Nice!

That's exactly what I would be doing, Met. Even when you buy new tubes most retailers
have a ZERO return policy on them. For a reason.

I'd rather roll the dice on some better made and tonally superior old stock.

 

[la szum]

Case in point. This is pretty much the case for all retailers who sell new tubes.

With a cool seller you can actually get better options with some recourse on
the "used" market.

 

[FuzzyAce]

Tube Depot has always been solid for me. But I've used The Tube Store and Doug's Tubes as well. A few other retailers too.

 

[TSJMajesty]

Eurotubes. There's actually a great AMA over at TOP right now with a lot of good info.

 

[Byrdman]

I’m finding some pretty reasonable prices on RCA 6v6gt’s on Reverb. Even a few JAN

I’m wondering it matching matters very much with this particular amp? Someone is selling a pair of RCA JAN 6v6gt’s that are matched ~6%

I was told by someone that the guys that have a Reverb account and sell on Ebay are the ones you want to deal with for those vintage tubes. Buying through Ebay may get you a better deal due to no Reverb fees.

I did a bunch of research over a year ago to buy a spare set for my DSL100H just to have, but I never bought any tubes, but did buy 2 other tube amps since then

 

[Pissedplexi]

I go to Amplified Parts or Eurotubes. I’m over NOS/ANOS stock. I still have a stash left but ever since speaker rolling I could give a shit about tubes. CP works for me.

 

[Eagle]

Only put NOS tubes in vintage gear because it was designed around the tubes that were available then. Put new selected tubes in new amps because NOS doesn’t really help them as they are voiced for what is in production now.

 

[Eagle]

I bought a lot of Mullard tubes in the 80s just after they stopped producing them and I still have enough to last me in the types I use. They last very well and I only replace them when they start to cause issues. I have AB tested them against new production many times and it really makes a difference in vintage amps. But hardly any in say a Friedman BE.

 

[Pissedplexi]

I bought a lot of Mullard tubes in the 80s just after they stopped producing them and I still have enough to last me in the types I use. They last very well and I only replace them when they start to cause issues. I have AB tested them against new production many times and it really makes a difference in vintage amps. But hardly any in say a Friedman BE.

I don’t think tubes care if it’s a vintage or modern amp. I do think you’re referring to certain amp circuits. I to have found my oldies sound better in some of my amps over others. The same has happened with CP tubes though. It is what it is. I do have fav NOS tubes I love in V1 slots especially in my NMV amps.

I think the higher gained amps like my 6505 1992 it doesn’t matter. I tried and laughed. It ate one of my RFT’s the mean tempered ball puncher. That’s ok. I quit liking RFT’s quite some time ago. Noisy!

 

[Eagle]

I don’t think tubes care if it’s a vintage or modern amp. I do think you’re referring to certain amp circuits. I to have found my oldies sound better in some of my amps over others. The same has happened with CP tubes though. It is what it is. I do have fav NOS tubes I love in V1 slots especially in my NMV amps.

I think the higher gained amps like my 6505 1992 it doesn’t matter. I tried and laughed. It ate one of my RFT’s the mean tempered ball puncher. That’s ok. I quit liking RFT’s quite some time ago. Noisy!

No they don’t care but I was generalising.
Most new designers are working with the lower quality tubes we have now and getting what they need from modern production by taking this into account.
Many older amp designs work the tubes far harder and expose limitations in new production. It’s a fair rule of thumb that expensive NOS is a waste of money in modern amps. Try it if you have them but don’t spend big money expecting a huge difference because it’s typically not there.

 

[Eagle]

My VH 4 ate an RFT in V1, it’s happier with a JJ gold pin.
I tried Mullard nos in my X88ir but put the new stuff back in . Almost no difference and not better.

 

[FuzzyAce]

Tube Depot has always been solid for me. But I've used The Tube Store and Doug's Tubes as well. A few other retailers too.

Just remembered a few more... KCA NOS Tubes, Amplified Parts, Antique Electronic Supply / CE Dist.

 

[Snave]

Just remembered a few more... KCA NOS Tubes, Amplified Parts, Antique Electronic Supply / CE Dist.

Amplified Parts and Antique Electronic Supply are the same company in Tempe, AZ. They're great for power tubes.

 

[FuzzyAce]

Amplified Parts and Antique Electronic Supply are the same company in Tempe, AZ. They're great for power tubes.

All 3 are under the same umbrella, same address - Amplified Parts, Antique Electronic Supply & CE Dist..
CE is the wholesale portion.

 

[Riffraff]

Gently used old stock. Lots of reputable dealers/sellers on Reverb/Ebay. I just think
for the $$$ the outcome in tone and durability is superior.

^ This