Vintage Tubes

[CactusmanDoug]

Hey Fellas,

For all of you Roscoeheads with tube amps, you probably already know the sonic difference that vintage vacuum tubes make in your gear.

I've got an SWR SM500 that I swapped the production 12AX7 tube for a vintage Tung Sol (not a modern Tung Sol that's made in Chechoslovakia or Russia or wherever)and it was amazing how much it warmed up the tone.

I also retubed our Hammond B-3 at church with all vintage stuff and it really brought out the tone as well.

If you guys want to hop-up your amp heads with the real deal, give Brent Jessee a call or visit his web page at:

www.audiotubes.com

Later on-

Doug

[chadds]

Originally Posted by CactusmanDoug

Hey Fellas,

For all of you Roscoeheads with tube amps, you probably already know the sonic difference that vintage vacuum tubes make in your gear.

I've got an SWR SM500 that I swapped the production 12AX7 tube for a vintage Tung Sol (not a modern Tung Sol that's made in Chechoslovakia or Russia or wherever)and it was amazing how much it warmed up the tone.

I also retubed our Hammond B-3 at church with all vintage stuff and it really brought out the tone as well.

If you guys want to hop-up your amp heads with the real deal, give Brent Jessee a call or visit his web page at:

www.audiotubes.com

Later on-

Doug

Though I think we're going to get moved here goes.
Of course the old ones are great. The Tung Sol reissues are quite nice and real nice for $15. I have them in a Summit and an SWR BBII. Yes they get regular Roscoe LG 5 infusion.

[CactusmanDoug]

Originally Posted by chadds

Though I think we're going to get moved here goes.
Of course the old ones are great. The Tung Sol reissues are quite nice and real nice for $15. I have them in a Summit and an SWR BBII. Yes they get regular Roscoe LG 5 infusion.

Hi chadds,

Brent has some 12ax7s from the '60's (Motorola, Zenith, Philco, Westinghouse, Webcor and what more) in white boxes selling for $18.00 a unit.

http://www.audiotubes.com/12ax7.htm

All I can say is I noticed a welcomed difference in my head output.

All the best,

Doug

[chadds]

Originally Posted by CactusmanDoug

Hi chadds,

Brent has some 12ax7s from the '60's (Motorola, Zenith, Philco, Westinghouse, Webcor and what more) in white boxes selling for $18.00 a unit.

http://www.audiotubes.com/12ax7.htm

All I can say is I noticed a welcomed difference in my head output.

All the best,

Doug

Okay! Nice price.
I tried a lot of those in my BBII and Summit and the Sylvanias rocked my boat. In my Kern they are exemplary. Thanks for the link.

[CactusmanDoug]

Just a quick follow up that might save some tube luvin' Roscoeheads a little grief.

If (or when) you begin to notice a microphonic ringing or whatever from your vintage tube, you might think it's time to chunk down some dough for a replacement

...maybe not.

I was getting this crazy, rattley, tinny sound from my tube head (SWR SM500 with mods) on the E, A and D notes only. I initially thought there was something loose in my speaker cabinet. When I ran my cab through another head, no such noise. I then replaced my vintage tube with a cheapie I had laying around and the problem was gone but I again had that sick "honky" mid tone from the cheap tube that drives me nuts.

I called a tube geek that let me in on a cool trick...

you wrap some teflon tape around the center of your tube, place a small automtive hose clamp over the tape, tighten the clamp ever so carefully and you're back in business.

This somehow dampens the vibration and your tube sounds brand new!!

All the best,

Doug