Where to Learn about NOS tubes?

[jjkrause84]

Hey guys. Just got my first ever NOS glass on its way....4 Mullard EF86s. I got a great deal on'em, I think (30 pounds for all 4) and I'm excited to hear how they sound as I'm a bit of an EF86 junkie.

Anyways, my question is: where can I go to read about/learn about NOS tubes? You know, what's good, what's bad, etc. I'm really confused and I'm not yet sure of how "good" they are.

[woodman]

Here's an appetizer: http://www.tonequest.com/articles/article3.htm

There's much more out there, but this'll get you started.

[marshman]

Watford valves has a series of comparos on their website, trying out different units for tone, though they always seem a teensy bit biased, as they do wanna sell them things. Check out a few of these:

http://www.watfordvalves.com/reports.asp

[freshchops]

No sarcasm intended, but I would start here, at this forum too. I've found most all posters very experienced, informative and willing to share knowledge.

[chet]

I'm a little leery of what Tube Sellers recommend on thier sites and think that maybe they're just trying to balance out thier stock.

There was a good article in Vintage Guitar about vintage amps recently. A guy who deals with them said that the stock of true NOS tubes keeps getting smaller and smaller and a lot of those aren't really NOS at all.
Really- how can you tell if a tube hasn't been used or how much it's been used? That's the thought that keeps going across my mind.

[Singin' Dave]

Originally Posted by woodman

Here's an appetizer: http://www.tonequest.com/articles/article3.htm

There's much more out there, but this'll get you started.

Good basic article there, though I'd add about 50% to some of the quoted prices. Not sure how old that article is.

KCA tubes has some good info: http://www.kcanostubes.com/content/n...gory=Resources

IMO, the place to start with NOS is picking up a few good preamp tubes for key driver slots. Biggest bang for buck difference, can be used in most amps with no need to bias etc.

[ThermionicScott]

Originally Posted by chet

I'm a little leery of what Tube Sellers recommend on thier sites and think that maybe they're just trying to balance out thier stock.

There was a good article in Vintage Guitar about vintage amps recently. A guy who deals with them said that the stock of true NOS tubes keeps getting smaller and smaller and a lot of those aren't really NOS at all.
Really- how can you tell if a tube hasn't been used or how much it's been used? That's the thought that keeps going across my mind.

Yeah, and what is NOS has been heavily picked-over by this point. Maybe we should all buy curve tracers so that we can keep sellers of new-production tubes honest.

- Scott

[woodman]

Originally Posted by Singin' Dave

Good basic article there, though I'd add about 50% to some of the quoted prices. Not sure how old that article is.

No question there, Dave! Pretty sure that article's several years old.

[6942]

Well, since you asked about NOS EF86 tubes.
You should start a separate post, asking recommendations for NOS EF86 tubes.
There are many forum members (including me) that own EF86 amps.

Steve

[sthebluesman]

Buy a good tube tester like a Hickok tube tester first. I wish I would have before I spent so much money on NOS tubes. I really did not know what I was getting from the sellers. The good tube testers have a life test that will give you some indication if it has been used or not. I've been burned several times on eBay. Overall, I'm glad I've got a decent stash of tubes now. I had so many, I had to buy the Hickok just so I could grade and organize them. It was well worth it. A good tube tester can cost anywhere from $150-$600 nowadays. I bought the 752 which is an FAA machine from the '60's. Works great but I've never had it calibrated. Be sure you buy one that is in good working order and the seller says it has been checked against a known calibrated machine. Calibration services can be very expensive.

[chet]

The guy in the Vintage Guitar article said that tube testers are useless as far as guitar amps go.