Reissue 12AX7's, 6L6's

zero9 · April 29th, 2008, 07:58 PM

I've been looking at some of the so called reissue 12AX7's that are available, particulary the Tung Sol and Mullards and the reviews sound pretty good. I was wondering if anyone has done comparisons with quality NOS tubes. I have a large collection of 50+ NOS 12AX7's and probably 30+ 6L6's that I've been hording. I recently knocked a matched quad of 1959 GE 6l6's off a shelf in my closet and came close to crying. I was thinking about selling them if I can find acceptable new tubes. I'm also curious about the GT reissue of the GE 6L6 since those are my favorites.

Anyone have any experiences?

Scott S · April 29th, 2008, 08:32 PM

If nothing else, I'd hang on to those tubes as an investment, since they are likely to keep appreciating as the supply dwindles. Thankfully, there are enough good new-production tubes that we don't all have to play the NOS game in order to have great tone.

- Scott

nonvintage · April 29th, 2008, 08:39 PM

It really depends on the amp. Newer amps were/are designed around newer tubes and the old stuff doesn't work well in them sometimes. What kind of amp are you experimenting with? For 6L6's winged =C= work well in my Super and Vibrolux Reverb amps.

zero9 · April 29th, 2008, 09:05 PM

Right now I'm using 3, a blackface Bandmaster, a Prosonic, and a blackface DR. The Bandmaster loves the GE 6L6's. Both it and the DR (actually a new amp-a reissue I bought in the 90's and gutted and handwired over the winter) have combinations of 60's Sylvania/RCA preamp tubes. I've read that the JJ version of the 12DW7 fattens up Bandmasters. I'm not concerned about the Prosonic-that's more a question of tube type than brand.

You know people always talk about the ruggedness and quality of old tubes but when they're 40-50 years old it's kind of scary taking them out and gigging with them, especially with the $$$. I'd like to find alternatives that don't kill me if they go microphonic or blow.

April 29th, 2008, 07:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
zero9 NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 6	Reissue 12AX7's, 6L6's I've been looking at some of the so called reissue 12AX7's that are available, particulary the Tung Sol and Mullards and the reviews sound pretty good. I was wondering if anyone has done comparisons with quality NOS tubes. I have a large collection of 50+ NOS 12AX7's and probably 30+ 6L6's that I've been hording. I recently knocked a matched quad of 1959 GE 6l6's off a shelf in my closet and came close to crying. I was thinking about selling them if I can find acceptable new tubes. I'm also curious about the GT reissue of the GE 6L6 since those are my favorites. Anyone have any experiences?

April 29th, 2008, 08:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
Scott S Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: SW CR IA US NA PE Age: 28 Posts: 1,922	If nothing else, I'd hang on to those tubes as an investment, since they are likely to keep appreciating as the supply dwindles. Thankfully, there are enough good new-production tubes that we don't all have to play the NOS game in order to have great tone. - Scott

April 29th, 2008, 08:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
nonvintage Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 506	It really depends on the amp. Newer amps were/are designed around newer tubes and the old stuff doesn't work well in them sometimes. What kind of amp are you experimenting with? For 6L6's winged =C= work well in my Super and Vibrolux Reverb amps.

April 29th, 2008, 09:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
zero9 NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 6	Right now I'm using 3, a blackface Bandmaster, a Prosonic, and a blackface DR. The Bandmaster loves the GE 6L6's. Both it and the DR (actually a new amp-a reissue I bought in the 90's and gutted and handwired over the winter) have combinations of 60's Sylvania/RCA preamp tubes. I've read that the JJ version of the 12DW7 fattens up Bandmasters. I'm not concerned about the Prosonic-that's more a question of tube type than brand. You know people always talk about the ruggedness and quality of old tubes but when they're 40-50 years old it's kind of scary taking them out and gigging with them, especially with the $$$. I'd like to find alternatives that don't kill me if they go microphonic or blow.