• From: Cleveland
  • Registered: 2006-07-05
  • Posts: 36

Topic: Joe, favorite tubes...NOS?

Us gearheads have all probably read many interviews where Joe describes his preference for amps, pedals, and achieving that monsterous tone.

One topic I've never seen addressed is the tubes. 

Joe, if you could take the time to briefly elaborate, I'd really like to know your preference for tube brands.
I understand this is probably amp-specific, but are you running NOS stuff or new production tubes?
Favorite brands?

I'm asking because I notice a significant improvement when running NOS tubes in the gain stages of my amps.  I currently use Mullard, RFT, and pre-war EI in various amps to achieve a certain tone for that amp.  I can only assume you've participated in some tube swapping yourself.

Anyone else that can contribute to this topic, please do so.

If this topic has already been addressed, please let me know.

Craig's Guitar Tech Resource - free information online.
Guitar Repair and Customization in Northeast Ohio since 1979.

http://www.guitartechcraig.com

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  • From: Tampa, Fl.
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 870

Re: Joe, favorite tubes...NOS?

He touched on the topic a little here:

http://www.jbonamassa.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=4609

"Interestingly, according to modern astronomers, space is finite. This is a very comforting thought-- particularly for people who can never remember where they have left things." - Woody Allen

http://www.last.fm/user/skynyrd128
  • From: Cleveland
  • Registered: 2006-07-05
  • Posts: 36

Re: Joe, favorite tubes...NOS?

Thanks.  That's a start.  Now that Power tubes are out of the way...

I'm really interested in preamp tubes, specifically, because different brands, factories of manufacturning, etc. can alter the voice of your amp significantly.  I own every brand of 12AX7 currently being manufactured, as well as an assortment of NOS out of production tubes.  My personal observations are that some current production tubes are good, but nothing compares to an old Mullard, Amperex, RCA blackplate, etc. for tone.

Craig's Guitar Tech Resource - free information online.
Guitar Repair and Customization in Northeast Ohio since 1979.

http://www.guitartechcraig.com

CraigJC's Website