What brand of tubes Leo did use it?

aleperna · February 8th, 2006, 01:06 AM

We all know that the stock "GT Sovtek" tubes that comes in the new Fender amps isn't the best in the world... They use them, maybe, for economical reasons... But, I would like to know, if anybody can tell me the brand of the tubes that came stock in Fender amps in the 50's and 60's, back then, when Leo Fender was around.
Thanks.

dean · February 8th, 2006, 01:27 AM

From my experience with a few amps from the 50s and 60s (especially the early stuff), the original power tubes were RCA. At least four amps that I bought that were advertised with original tubes had RCA's in the power section and a mixture of everything from Telefunken to Silvertone to RCA to Sylvania to Mullard in the other sockets.

Interesting question.

Dean

Tremo · February 8th, 2006, 02:41 AM

RCAs.

Tim Swartz · February 8th, 2006, 10:49 AM

A lot of it depends on the era. A lot of tweed amps used Tungsol 5881s. As for preamp tubes I've seen a lot of Tungsols in tweeds, which makes sense because that is where the power tubes came from. I've also seen several untouched brown amps that had all Amperex 12AX7s, so this may have been a period where he got a deal on those. Also, the big amps that used GZ34s used some variety of Mullard or Amperex.

jguitarman · February 8th, 2006, 07:02 PM

I know of a '72 Princeton Reverb that has what I believe to be all original tubes. Every one is an RCA.

Tremo · February 8th, 2006, 07:42 PM

I think Tim is right, it depends on the era. Most GZ34 rectifiers were Mullard or Amperex. In the tweed era you might find TungSols. You might also sometimes find Mullards. But mostly they were RCAs. In the early 80s it was GEs. In the late SF era they also used the Philips 6L6s.

jjmantele · February 8th, 2006, 08:44 PM

My '71 and '74 came with RCA.

Tim Swartz · February 9th, 2006, 12:02 PM

I guess I took the Leo thing too literally and was not thinking past '65. Late SF amps had Fender labeled Sylvania 6L6s and 6V6s.

February 8th, 2006, 01:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
aleperna TDPRI Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brazil Posts: 51 13 Photos	What brand of tubes Leo did use it? We all know that the stock "GT Sovtek" tubes that comes in the new Fender amps isn't the best in the world... They use them, maybe, for economical reasons... But, I would like to know, if anybody can tell me the brand of the tubes that came stock in Fender amps in the 50's and 60's, back then, when Leo Fender was around. Thanks. __________________ I do speak Portuguese, so my English is not perfect... But I do have THE perfect guitar: TELECASTER!!!

February 8th, 2006, 01:27 AM	#2 (permalink)
dean Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota Age: 60 Posts: 2,042	I think RCA's in the power section From my experience with a few amps from the 50s and 60s (especially the early stuff), the original power tubes were RCA. At least four amps that I bought that were advertised with original tubes had RCA's in the power section and a mixture of everything from Telefunken to Silvertone to RCA to Sylvania to Mullard in the other sockets. Interesting question. Dean __________________ "I used to be clueless, but I've turned that situation around 360 degrees."

February 8th, 2006, 10:49 AM	#4 (permalink)
Tim Swartz Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Michigan - Tweenst the Great Lakes Posts: 1,904	... and others A lot of it depends on the era. A lot of tweed amps used Tungsol 5881s. As for preamp tubes I've seen a lot of Tungsols in tweeds, which makes sense because that is where the power tubes came from. I've also seen several untouched brown amps that had all Amperex 12AX7s, so this may have been a period where he got a deal on those. Also, the big amps that used GZ34s used some variety of Mullard or Amperex. __________________

February 8th, 2006, 07:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
jguitarman Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: No CA Age: 53 Posts: 178	I know of a '72 Princeton Reverb that has what I believe to be all original tubes. Every one is an RCA. __________________ I wouldn't join any club that would have a guy like me for a member.

February 8th, 2006, 08:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
jjmantele Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 851	'71 '74 My '71 and '74 came with RCA. __________________ JJman If it says "Vintage" on it -it isn't.

February 8th, 2006, 02:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
Tremo Banned Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Silicon Valley, CA, USA Posts: 3,803	RCAs.

February 8th, 2006, 07:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tremo Banned Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Silicon Valley, CA, USA Posts: 3,803	I think Tim is right, it depends on the era. Most GZ34 rectifiers were Mullard or Amperex. In the tweed era you might find TungSols. You might also sometimes find Mullards. But mostly they were RCAs. In the early 80s it was GEs. In the late SF era they also used the Philips 6L6s.

February 9th, 2006, 12:02 PM	#8 (permalink)
Tim Swartz Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Michigan - Tweenst the Great Lakes Posts: 1,904	I guess I took the Leo thing too literally and was not thinking past '65. Late SF amps had Fender labeled Sylvania 6L6s and 6V6s. __________________