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Post by Admin on Sept 6, 2005 10:46:18 GMT -7
I just got off the phone with Mike from KCA NOS tubes. He is a super guy and has gotten me out of more jams that I can count. He is on the advisory board at Tone Quest and is also one heck of an amp repair fellow too. He is quite a hot shot on Fender amps to boot. Mike is going to be looking at this forum and joining in the next few days. I will continue to answer questions here too but having a great resource like Mike will just benefit everybody. If you are looking for NOS stuff you may want to check out his website at www.kcanostubes.com as there is a lot of great stuff there. Myles
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Post by LittleBlindShakey on Sept 7, 2005 11:14:32 GMT -7
Myles,
This is teriffic. I have purchased tubes for my Fender amps from KCA in the past and great guys. Here is the best part, when it is time to retube I call Mike, tell him which Z amp I own, what I want in terms of tone, what style I play and in what size venues. Mike is on top of the Z specific tube situation because he plays in our Z forum sandbox. Budda bing budda boom… I order, the set is delivered. How sweet is that! I don't even have to think...
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Post by myles on Sept 7, 2005 12:07:41 GMT -7
Myles, This is teriffic. I have purchased tubes for my Fender amps from KCA in the past and great guys. Here is the best part, when it is time to retube I call Mike, tell him which Z amp I own, what I want in terms of tone, what style I play and in what size venues. Mike is on top of the Z specific tube situation because he plays in our Z forum sandbox. Budda bing budda boom… I order, the set is delivered. How sweet is that! I don't even have to think... I agree that having Mike (KCA) as a resource is super for everybody. He is not just a tube guru but he is also a great amp guy and does great amp work and resoration work. He also uses some pretty cool test gear so is one of the few folks that can actually replicate things. Preamp tubes are a crap shoot. You may replace an old tube just to find the amp is worse than before the replacement. Why? Tubes are all over the place and I see greater than +/- 50% spread in any factory run. There are factors like transconductance and current output that today are down on average at least 40% from spec. If you had a tube that when new in the amp was say at spec of 1.2mA and over the years was now down 20% to 1.0 you might plug in a "brand new" tube that is only at 0.8mA or less. This sort of nonsense does not happen with Mike as he tests each tube. Most other folks test some in a batch and then find it is cheaper to just rely on warranty, and that is if the customer even wants to go to the trouble to exercise the warranty in the first place. Mike can also sort of remotely mini-blueprint an amp with specific tube selection. If you like something you got from him he may know the spec he had on the particular tube. Maybe for a few dollars he can make you a two tube set where one tube has a higher reading and would be used for hard core stuff while a lower reading would be cool for blues and jazz or more clean headroom. Bottom line here .... he is a cool resource. I will also post things in here from time to time when I see something that grabs my interest on his website. I am on his site all the time for my own clients and some of my own stuff. If I see something pretty heads up I will post the link and maybe some of my own comments.
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Post by mikekca on Sept 7, 2005 13:02:33 GMT -7
Thanks guys! And now that I've finally figured out how to get logged in, here I am! Mike K www.kcanostubes.com
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Post by zane on Sept 8, 2005 8:01:10 GMT -7
I've bought just about every tube I've ever bought from KCA.
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Post by myles on Sept 8, 2005 10:36:55 GMT -7
I've bought just about every tube I've ever bought from KCA. You must have a pretty nice collection at this point!
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Post by taswegian on Sept 11, 2005 15:26:38 GMT -7
Mike, I've noticed with another tube retailer !!! they are selling "Genelex Gold Lion" EF86 and they are extremely expensive. Knowing that GEC and Genelex were the same, would these be any different than the military spec GEC EF86 (which I have) or are they more of a "collectors item" but exactly the same? I guess the same question could be asked about the power tubes ie: Genelex Gold Lion vs GEC (British). My understanding is they were the same company? Thanks
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Post by Gregg White (aka stratbrat) on Sept 15, 2005 17:28:00 GMT -7
Mike, I live in Leesburg. Do you have a storefront/warehouse/office? You made a great recommend to me on some tubes for a Maz Sr 38! I'd like to try some others, for the Maz, a HR Deville and a Blues Deville. Would like to drop by when you are available. Thanks. gewhiteva@aol.com
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Post by mikekca on Sept 16, 2005 5:35:24 GMT -7
Mike, I've noticed with another tube retailer !!! they are selling "Genelex Gold Lion" EF86 and they are extremely expensive. Knowing that GEC and Genelex were the same, would these be any different than the military spec GEC EF86 (which I have) or are they more of a "collectors item" but exactly the same? I guess the same question could be asked about the power tubes ie: Genelex Gold Lion vs GEC (British). My understanding is they were the same company? Thanks Without seeing them I don't really know. Remember that all tube dealers have different sources, pay different prices for their stock and have different operating expenses (some of us pay income tax, usually over 50%, other "less legit" "dealers" don't.) All of these variables factor into the final price.
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Post by mikekca on Sept 16, 2005 5:37:55 GMT -7
Mike, I live in Leesburg. Do you have a storefront/warehouse/office? You made a great recommend to me on some tubes for a Maz Sr 38! I'd like to try some others, for the Maz, a HR Deville and a Blues Deville. Would like to drop by when you are available. Thanks. gewhiteva@aol.com Hi Strat: Glad you liked the tubes for the 38. Sorry, no store front. The rent would kill me and doing walk in sales would be completely counterproductive as it would negatively impact my mail order business which accounts for 98% of my income. On occassion, I can be persuaded to do a "live pickup" by appointment only.
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Post by bustertheboy on Oct 12, 2005 3:08:47 GMT -7
an idea for tubes on a budget? i just got a couple of NOS valves from tube depot- JAN 5751 and a real surprise - a 'preowned' GE electronic 12AX7 what an amazing sound- in my carmen ghia the 5751 gets swapped with a 12BH7, depending on head room needed the Ge 12AX7 is in input valve- the tone is incredible- crisp and lots of gain- it has replaced the new GT mullard reissue (which is the best new 12AX7 i've heard) while the mullard reissue is great, the GE is absolutely amazing- all at $11.95 look out for these you won't be disappointed
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Post by myles on Oct 21, 2005 9:27:44 GMT -7
an idea for tubes on a budget? i just got a couple of NOS valves from tube depot- JAN 5751 and a real surprise - a 'preowned' GE electronic 12AX7 what an amazing sound- in my carmen ghia the 5751 gets swapped with a 12BH7, depending on head room needed the Ge 12AX7 is in input valve- the tone is incredible- crisp and lots of gain- it has replaced the new GT mullard reissue (which is the best new 12AX7 i've heard) while the mullard reissue is great, the GE is absolutely amazing- all at $11.95 look out for these you won't be disappointed Telemaster, I love the 12AX7M in a lot of amps but not in my Ghia. There are a lot of GEs in various forms and some of them are really great in the Ghia as they are brighter than the 12AX7M. A great Ghia V1 is the Ei long smooth plate. This is a very close to a Telefunken in many ways (actually made on original Telefunken tooling in many cases). But, due to the age and slop in the tooling these can be loose inside and can tend to be microphonic. There could be other factors for this as well such as general quality control. But .... find a good one and they are great in a Ghia. Just get these from a vendor that tests them well and has a good warranty incase they go microphonic after a few warm up and cool down cycles.
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Post by UnclePat on Oct 21, 2005 13:48:11 GMT -7
This board is rapidly turning into THE place to be for Z-heads. First we have the Doc, then Myles, Zac...now Mike! Not to mention the rest of you guys that are out here pounding it out in clubs and stages every night...always having something to offer. I applaud all of you as well. Mike has kept my Z's sounding sweet, largely due to Myles' recommendations over the past several years. This is just awesome having all of this knowledge base on one forum such as this. Thanks to every one of you for your contributions to make us all sound better than we ever thought possible.
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Post by billyguitar on Oct 23, 2005 8:17:20 GMT -7
I'm interested in the preamp tubes with lower transconductance. I dig the bloom and if that's part of it I want to get some tubes like that. How can I as the consumer know those ratings going in?
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Post by myles on Oct 26, 2005 19:39:58 GMT -7
I'm interested in the preamp tubes with lower transconductance. I dig the bloom and if that's part of it I want to get some tubes like that. How can I as the consumer know those ratings going in? What you are asking is one stage of what I call blueprinting. The group I run at GT is called the SAG ... special applications group. Sort of the GT custom shop. I hand pick and trace tubes for specific requirements. If you look in what used to be Zac's drawer (that is now Jody's and Chad's drawer) you will see dozens of preamps tubes of all kinds with numbers written on them. I may have over a half a dozen or more of the same tube in different ratings. During the 10/1 Paisley sound check Brad asked me to make oen of the amps "less glassy". I told him it would take a few seconds ... just keep playing as I could swap on the fly putting the amp in standby for a few seconds. I knew the specs on what was in the amp (as everything is known and NOT left to chance as in the "universal small signal tube crapshoot". Otu came one type of tube and in went another with a different set of numbers to boot. A little while later Brad wanted a bit tighter amp change in the same amp so the phase inverter was swapped and all was well in the land of tone. If you want something specific just contact me. The first step is to know what you have in there now. Once we know that we can move in a controlled direction and build you a small set or a large set of tubes to give you much more range in your amp.
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Post by straightblues on Dec 14, 2005 12:04:24 GMT -7
I am looking for tube recommendations for my Carmen Ghia. I want to get traditional blues breakup (Muddy Waters, Elmore James, BB King) at lower volumes about 9:00 on the Ghia's volume knob. What tubes do you recommend for this application. This is a great amp and I am willing to pay as much as I need to for the right tubes.
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Post by myles on Dec 14, 2005 13:35:47 GMT -7
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Post by mikekca on Dec 16, 2005 7:10:44 GMT -7
Thanks for the heads up Myles. I can select those gain ranges very easily. How do I create a sig on the board? Mike K KCA NOS Tubes & Amp Repair/Mods www.kcanostubes.com
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Post by bukowski on Dec 16, 2005 7:23:50 GMT -7
Hi Mike I've ordered rca command series(black plates) 5751 off you in the past and was wondering if you had any coming in soon ?I bought some relabeled (forget the name ) they were nice but I dont think they were as groovy dig?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 17, 2005 8:48:15 GMT -7
Hi Mike, Just wanted to thank you for your help this morning. I had called you thinking I needed a new rectifier tube for my Maz38. You fixed me right up with your knowledge of amps. You were right it was the power tubes. I appreciate your help.
Merry Christmas, DougG
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Post by mikekca on Dec 25, 2005 5:49:14 GMT -7
Hi Mike I've ordered rca command series(black plates) 5751 off you in the past and was wondering if you had any coming in soon ?I bought some relabeled (forget the name ) they were nice but I dont think they were as groovy dig? Glad you liked the tube! The Command Series 5751s are getting more and more difficult to find as time goes on. Check in by email periodically, as I never know when one might pop up. Mike K KCA NOS Tubes www.kcanostubes.com
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Post by mikekca on Dec 25, 2005 5:51:20 GMT -7
Hi Mike, Just wanted to thank you for your help this morning. I had called you thinking I needed a new rectifier tube for my Maz38. You fixed me right up with your knowledge of amps. You were right it was the power tubes. I appreciate your help. Merry Christmas, DougG Hey Doug: Bingo! From your trouble description, I figured that it couldn't have been your recto tube. Glad you sorted it out and you didn't buy an unneeded rectifier tube. Merry Christmas Mike K www.kcanostubes.com
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2005 18:34:25 GMT -7
Glad you sorted it out and you didn't buy an unneeded rectifier tube. Mike, The wife was glad I didn't buy any unneeded tubes as well ,but...gonna' need some back-ups soon. I'll have ta' call ya' and see 'bout getting some tubes soon.
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Post by myles on Dec 29, 2005 8:52:32 GMT -7
Thanks for the heads up Myles. I can select those gain ranges very easily. How do I create a sig on the board? Mike K KCA NOS Tubes & Amp Repair/Mods www.kcanostubes.comTo create a signature just go to your profile and edit or add to it.
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Post by myles on Dec 29, 2005 9:00:28 GMT -7
Hi Mike I've ordered rca command series(black plates) 5751 off you in the past and was wondering if you had any coming in soon ?I bought some relabeled (forget the name ) they were nice but I dont think they were as groovy dig? Glad you liked the tube! The Command Series 5751s are getting more and more difficult to find as time goes on. Check in by email periodically, as I never know when one might pop up. Mike K KCA NOS Tubes www.kcanostubes.comMike .... I am not trying to "hijack" your thread here but ..... The Command Series are great but the GE 5-stars are great too and ..... ..... maybe it is just that YOU have too many great tubes at your fingertips but you have some amazing stuff on your site: kcanostubes.com/content/estore_details.asp?product=50Okay ... this one above ..... Many folks use the 5751 as a phase inverter but it is also an amazing first gain stage tube. SRV used 5751's in many of his Fender amps instead of a 12AX7. Some folks try a 12AT7 in a first gain stage to drop gain. I think the 12AT7 is an awful tone generator and best left to phase inverters or reverb drivers. But ... the 5751 with the gain of an AT7 but a TC of 1200 vs 5500 (AT7) is much more like the AX7 (1600 is spec) and is s m o o t h. When Brad used my black MAZ 38 at last year's XMAS show in L.A I had a 5751 in V1 and in V5 (PI). This is another one of your great ones - kcanostubes.com/content/estore_details.asp?product=52so ... just a slight hijack of putting my nose in here.
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Post by badback on Jan 11, 2006 7:26:07 GMT -7
A friend is offering me 4 pairs NOS japanese el84's and 1 pair of tung sol el 84(tested and still in boxes, branded GE, and tung sol) for $40 a pair. Seems like a good deal. He loaned me a trial set of the GE's (10.4/10.5K) and they seem quite good. Anyone have any experience with these? Are they worth it? I use a ghia head, by the way.
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Post by mikekca on Feb 1, 2006 20:39:02 GMT -7
Not sure about the Japanese EL84s, but the GEs and Tung Sols are very good.
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Post by arniez on Feb 2, 2006 11:51:52 GMT -7
Mike, I recently came across an auction for an EF86 called a Phillips Miniwatt, is this the same as a Dario Miniwatt, or are there no "trademarks" in the tube biz? ArnieZ
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Post by johnnyl on Mar 20, 2006 23:38:09 GMT -7
Howdy Mike, quick question for you - I have several really nice NOS 6V6's that one of my friend's dad's (old Army engineer) gave me. The problem is that they're mostly in singles. 2 different 60's RCA's with the black coverings (can't see through them) date codes - V4 & 2S 1 black base Zenith GT (USA) (yellow logo) 50's or 60's w/ smoked glass and square getter at top - date code 260(top) 5529 (bottom) 1 black base Amperex GTA (USA) (orange logo) 50's or 60's w clear glass and weird angled round getter near base (I have a feeling this one is a gem)
Are any of these really cool? Could I possibly use two of them together if I can get them to bias closely?
Thanks!
Johnny
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Post by pedalcr8z on Mar 24, 2006 4:31:25 GMT -7
Hi Mike. Is the bias the same on a 6L6GE versus a 5881? How many less db is a 5881>
............thank you!
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