Metropoulos Forum

What do guys you think is a "appropriate" price for a vintage mullard 12ax7? I'm contemplating getting some, but the prices seem to range from reasonable $60 per to rediculous $129 per. Anything to watch out for?

Jeff

http://www.tubetramp.com/

Check terry out on this link. The site isn't built yet but there is an email link. I found him to be both reasonable and helpful.

Paul

It's a proper price range for those depending on usage, if they are NOS they will be over 100$, long plate, rib plate, models, eyc... ask terry he will get you the glass you need.

Remember a strong tested 12ax7 from those days can last over 20,000hrs of operation and more some go even 100,000hrs....

It's a proper price range for those depending on usage, if they are NOS they will be over 100$, long plate, rib plate, models, eyc... ask terry he will get you the glass you need.

Remember a strong tested 12ax7 from those days can last over 20,000hrs of operation and more some go even 100,000hrs....

thanks guys

Jeff

I've been seeing long plate,short plate etc. What's the difference? Does it matter regarding guitar amps and tone?

Jeff

It matters, byt they are all the pinicle of Marshall tone.

My favorite is the box plate variety, they seem to have a smoother overall tone. The short plate are better than the long plate in a high gain amp where microphonics are a concern. The long plates seem to be better in a vintage plexi style amp. The short plates have midrange focus while the long plates seem to have an extended low end.

Well I bought 6 Mullard 12ax7's on ebay for $180 (My B-day was last week). 30 bucks apiece didn't seem like too bad a deal with regards to some of the prices out there. I got them yesterday and put them in, and SUCH a difference. Way smoother and warmer than the JJ's that I had in. Not that the JJ's sounded bad, but these really smoothed out the tone, especially in the upper mid-range.

Short plates.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... RK:MEWN:IT

Vintage tubes rock

Jeff

There are a lot of "Valvo" stamped ECC83 out, which are in real Mullards.
Watch out for Valvos, where the "ECC83" is stamped on in small letters below the logo and further below in the glass should be seen the production code.

If it begins with the letter "B", than it's a real Mullard

Larry (the German)

I hear you have to be careful buying so called AUTHENTIC NOS tubes off of Ebay. It takes years of experience and some rahter close scurtiny to be able to visually determine which tubes are used compared to ones that are Authentic NOS new/ never used! I am one of those who CAN NOT determine the difference!

As far as when I buy NOS tubes now I always purchase tubes in their period correct / factory original boxes. Choose a seller who has an impeccable reputation for selling true NOS tubes over a long perios of time! This I have learned from an actual NOS tube guy and it makes total sense.
In the end, if the guy offers a 90 day or more warranty on his tubes, BUY AS MANY AS YOU CAN GET YOUR HANDS ON/ AS YOU WANT!!! THAT is a reputable seller, otherwise I AINT BITING!
So far ive bought NOS and new recently and these would include (2) quad sets of SIEMENS EL34s , NEW RUBY TUBE BSTR (1) quad set, (2) Mullard Phillips label/period correct box. (3) NOS RFT ECC83's and plan on buying some more soon as well. Mostly 12ax7s. I use two differant dealers both of which offer all the things I mentioned above as far as warranty/ proper documentation/ A+ rep, etc.
Be careful out there people !!!!!!!!

Please share the name of your retailer, if you care to. We could all benefit from a reliable source.

I do suggest Tube Tramp as well.

George

VelvetGeorge wrote:Please share the name of your retailer, if you care to. We could all benefit from a reliable source.

I do suggest Tube Tramp as well.

George

Hey George, Its me, Jimi H.
Sure thing with the NOS tube dealers I use, THe first one beleive it or not does not have a website and does not take credit card. The guy is in the stone age. However he is stringent on matching the tubes, gaurantees them and I totally trust his knowledge as to which tubes are truly NOS. THe name of the company is HI TEST NOS TUBES . Gregg LEvy is the owner. # 201-750-2445. This guy has a LOT of stock!!! THe other guy does have a website at www.coldspringselectricalworks.com The guys name is norm@coldspringselectricalworks.com. THis is the guy with the 90 day warranty and I totally like his prices! Try $50 bucks for a true NOS Mullard 12ax7!!! If you are unhappy with your purchase FOR ANY REASON or suspect they ARE NOT true NOS send them back and hell gladly refund your money! HOpe This helps everyone!
Cheers!
PS George, Did you get the clips up on the Replica 66' JTM45/100! Im dying!!! Iordered my Valvedriver 12ax7 pedal from pedaldoctor.com. YOu HAVE TO CHECK out that pedal man! IT is a design after the old Chandler tube driver with several updates and totally revamped. better Transformer, caps, beautifully wired, ntop notch parts used . Youll pay $400 but it is the nicest sounding 12ax7 pedal ive heard thru a plexi or nonmaster volume type amp yet! If you want, Ill box it up and send it to you if you want to make some clips with it! Just send it back OK!!! LOL!
Jimi H
Resident Guitar nut at hotkeys music school

Thanks Jimi. I'll pass on the info when people ask for a good source.

I did get two Strat/JTM100 clips made. It's in the '67 replica thread:

http://www.metroamp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3826

On the second one, I hit the fuzz and seen some arching in the KT66. So I shut down right away. I'll check the tubes and make more soon.

Let me get my '66 real JTM 100 and sort out tubes on my prototype, then I may take you up on trying the pedal. I like the pcs in the other thread. Nice stuff.

George

Don't forget to look around on Fleabay guys.....

I found 2 NOS IEC Mullard 12ax7as here locally from a guy for $30 who said he sold about 10 pairs in the past year on Fleabay for the same price (+ shipping I'm sure).

Don't forget about Trampy though (Tubetramp). When it absolutely, positively HAS to be top notch, he's the guy......

His tubes START in a Hickock tester.......from there he auditions each one in these little single ended screamer amps he's got jacked up within an inch of it's life (1 pre, 1 output).

If a tube's microphonic...it'll do it for sure in one of those babys!!!!

my last 2 mullard scores work out about £26 a pair. remember you are paying for the label! you can get the exact same tube half price with a relabeled mullard.

not ALL valvo's are mullard. the later ones are german made, if it has the 'B' Blackburn code its a mullard.