|
Post by guitarhead on Aug 11, 2005 10:28:10 GMT -7
I've been thinking about trying out a few different ef86 tubes in V1 of my Z28. I would like some opinions before spending bucks on nos tubes.
|
|
|
Post by Curt on Aug 15, 2005 8:19:38 GMT -7
|
|
|
Post by rpavich on Aug 16, 2005 8:55:49 GMT -7
Guitarhead, I put in a Dario Miniwatt EF86 from the link that tele62 just gave you....I like it although I don't have tons of experience with lots-a different EF86's...
bob
|
|
|
Post by myles on Aug 16, 2005 9:17:25 GMT -7
Guitarhead, I put in a Dario Miniwatt EF86 from the link that tele62 just gave you....I like it although I don't have tons of experience with lots-a different EF86's... bob I did a pretty extensive test on a lot of EF86s a few months ago. What I learned was sort of this .... ALL the NOS ones ... it did not matter if they were GEC, Mullard, Dario, GE, Motorola etc., seems to all be right on spec. The spec is 250 plate volts 140 screen volts 2 volt bias and you should have a TC of 2000 at 3mA output. All the NOS tubes met spec and were very consistant. BUT ... the new EF86 tubes .... were all over the place far from spec and after about 10-15 heat up and cool down cycles had many if not most become terribly physically microphonic. I get my own EF86 tubes from Mike at www.kcanostubes.com as a point of information. After this test I also went to Aspen Pittman and talked to him about removing the current EF86s from our sales list. You will not see them for sale any more by GT. If things get better they will be put back on the list. Remeber too .... Phillips owned Mullard and some folks that made EF86s sold them to other tube makers for rebranding with their own name so you may find two of the same tube with different names. The Mullard and GEC tubes are premium but you will pay about 2x what you pay for the Dario which is a great tube. They do sound different and that is back to user taste. The GECs and Mullards will last a very long time.
|
|
|
Post by Curt on Aug 16, 2005 12:15:01 GMT -7
Thanks for that insite Myles. You had told me about Mike when I called you about some Ghia tubes, Mike's a great guy. My EF86 just flat quit after I played my (used) Z/28) only once so I can not give before/after info. I pulled up the above link, saw the GEC noted with replies from several Z/28 users, I needed one so I jumped on it and A RCA 5751, matched. ZERO regrets with the amp or the tubes. Now with a Ghia and a Z/28 I feel I'm in pretty good shape tonally.
|
|
|
Post by myles on Aug 16, 2005 13:28:46 GMT -7
Thanks for that insite Myles. You had told me about Mike when I called you about some Ghia tubes, Mike's a great guy. My EF86 just flat quit after I played my (used) Z/28) only once so I can not give before/after info. I pulled up the above link, saw the GEC noted with replies from several Z/28 users, I needed one so I jumped on it and A RCA 5751, matched. ZERO regrets with the amp or the tubes. Now with a Ghia and a Z/28 I feel I'm in pretty good shape tonally. It sounds like you are in great shape. Happy playing!
|
|
|
Post by terryg on Aug 17, 2005 9:22:43 GMT -7
I'm really getting anxious about getting my Z-28. tele62, that tube complement is right where I'm heading as well, using a 5751 as a PI. I've got the GEC EF86 in the 45 side of my 6545 and I love it, and I'll be trying the Dario (I understand that's the stock tube in the Z-28 V1 position now) for comparison.
|
|
|
Post by Curt on Aug 17, 2005 9:39:09 GMT -7
Hey terryg, I just got my 28 recently and have very little time on it, a few hours low level noodling and one gig....but it is WAY COOL !!! I had an issue with my stock EF86 dieing so I can not compare...but the GEC is smokin'. Mike @ KCNOS is the way to go, Myles sent me to him when I bought a 2nd hand Ghia that sounded TERRIBLE I was so disappointed, turns out the MESA/BOOGIE power tubes were the problem. I completely retubed the Ghia with Myles and Mikes suggestions and the Ghia is a tone hound...I'll starve B4 she's sold off. Hoping to run the Ghia and the 28 parallel soon for a wall of tone ..... Now if I had just kept that Route 66.......deep regrets on selling that one. Let us know when ya get yours...I'll expect big smiles. I'll post some pics of mine as soon as my IT guy gets here and let's my load my new digital camera stuff so I can download 'em Keep Pickin' Curt
|
|
|
Post by myles on Aug 17, 2005 10:54:37 GMT -7
Hey terryg, I just got my 28 recently and have very little time on it, a few hours low level noodling and one gig....but it is WAY COOL !!! I had an issue with my stock EF86 dieing so I can not compare...but the GEC is smokin'. Mike @ KCNOS is the way to go, Myles sent me to him when I bought a 2nd hand Ghia that sounded TERRIBLE I was so disappointed, turns out the MESA/BOOGIE power tubes were the problem. I completely retubed the Ghia with Myles and Mikes suggestions and the Ghia is a tone hound...I'll starve B4 she's sold off. Hoping to run the Ghia and the 28 parallel soon for a wall of tone ..... Now if I had just kept that Route 66.......deep regrets on selling that one. Let us know when ya get yours...I'll expect big smiles. I'll post some pics of mine as soon as my IT guy gets here and let's my load my new digital camera stuff so I can download 'em Keep Pickin' Curt Curt .... Just a side note on Mesa tubes.... They do a nice job matching their octal power tubes such as the EL34 and 6L6 tubes but if you notice, they have no color rating on their EL84 tubes. They are not matched and this can have all sorts of adverse side effects.
|
|
|
Post by terryg on Aug 17, 2005 11:34:43 GMT -7
tele62, I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas.
Mike @ KCA is a great resource - I've used his tubes in all sorts of amps, ranging from a 64/65 Vibro Champ, Victorias, my 6545, and even an SRRI. Every one was improved.
I'm quite convinced I won't sell any of my gear either! I've only regretted it in the past.
|
|
|
Post by guitarhead on Aug 17, 2005 20:00:12 GMT -7
Thanks for the suggestions. I will be calling on Mike @ KCA for my nos tube needs.
|
|
BigMike
Junior Member
The Mykkus Abides
Posts: 89
|
Post by BigMike on Sept 3, 2005 0:22:00 GMT -7
I'm using the Dario from Mike at KCA and I'm really happy. Nice toned tube. Better than the Stock Svet which seemed to get Microphonic fairly fast, but also sounded good.
|
|
|
Post by miguel777 on Sept 16, 2005 20:45:35 GMT -7
Cool website - this is my first contribution.
I got lucky and hooked up with a genuinely fine Aussie fellow via E-bay who was selling off his somewhat massive tube collection and I was able to "cherry pick" a couple of used GE 6267's (one made in England, the other in Holland) and 4 Amperex 6267's (1 made in Holland, 2 made in Germany w/BB logo, and one made in Austria), all for about $15.00US each. They all sounded great, and better than the Svetlana(? - "atomic" logo) that came with it. I currently use the Made in England GE 6267 -- It's been in there for over two years now of fairly steady use, and still sounds like Day 1.
|
|