|
Post by ejecta on Jan 10, 2006 8:53:41 GMT -7
I just got a Z 28 and love it but I had to return the first one due to a pinging noise that they thought was the EF-86. They had another Z28 so I jsut swapped amps. Ive read and heard the EF-86 's can be not very reliable. Not sure if this is true as you can read and hear anything. I really dont want the hassle of having to buy a handfull of EF-86's to have on hand be swapping tubes because they go micro phonic.
I was wondering what you guys have experienced.
Thanks in advance.
|
|
|
Post by jtracy on Jan 10, 2006 10:57:15 GMT -7
I am sure Myles will jump in here shortly, but you just can not go wrong with a NOS GEC EF86/CV4085 from KCA NOS Tubes. They are a bit pricey ($75.00) but worth every penny! To my ears, more of everything (lows, mids, and gain) and no hiss. I have them in both my Z-28 and RXES. Here is the link: kcanostubes.com/content/estore_details.asp?product=142
|
|
|
Post by Curt on Jan 10, 2006 11:19:53 GMT -7
I am sure Myles will jump in here shortly, but you just can not go wrong with a NOS GEC EF86/CV4085 from KCA NOS Tubes. They are a bit pricey ($75.00) but worth every penny! To my ears, more of everything (lows, mids, and gain) and no hiss. I have them in both my Z-28 and RXES. Here is the link: kcanostubes.com/content/estore_details.asp?product=142+1, spend the coin, you'll have a solid pre amp tube for a long time.
|
|
|
Post by ejecta on Jan 10, 2006 11:45:14 GMT -7
Cool! Thanks for the input guys!
|
|
dave
New Member
Posts: 7
|
Post by dave on Jan 10, 2006 12:32:47 GMT -7
I was recently looking at what EF86 choices we have available here - Watford Valves recommend a Telefunken EF86 - these are pricy as well at £40. Any views on this valve? They also stock Svetlana (£8) and all the rest - Phillips/Tesla/Mullard/Siemens - come in at £20. I have found a few GEC EF86's available from other suppliers as well - might these be the same stock as the favoured NOS one available over your way?
|
|
|
Post by Curt on Jan 10, 2006 14:12:26 GMT -7
I was recently looking at what EF86 choices we have available here - Watford Valves recommend a Telefunken EF86 - these are pricy as well at £40. Any views on this valve? They also stock Svetlana (v. cheap) and the rest - Phillips/Tesla/Mullard/Siemens - come in at £20. There are a few GEC EF86's available from other suppliers as well - might these be the same stock as the KCA/NOS one available over your way? I'd drop Mike a note @ KCNOS with this question, he has a page here but I don't think he checks in very often, I'd suggest Goggle him and ask, heckuva nice guy and very helpful.
|
|
dave
New Member
Posts: 7
|
Post by dave on Jan 11, 2006 10:16:06 GMT -7
As tele62 said I would, I got a prompt reply back from Mike today, who reports that "Telefunkens are great". Nice guy. So the UK chapter of the Z-28 club can rest easy.
I want a spare so I'll try the telefunken one, and if my numbed old ears can tell any difference I'll report back. I assume the Svetlana EF86 is the factory stock tube? My amp is 3 years old and was retubed by the previous owner. The 6v6's are Groove Tubes.
|
|
|
Post by Curt on Jan 12, 2006 16:59:03 GMT -7
As tele62 said I would, I got a prompt reply back from Mike today, who reports that "Telefunkens are great". Nice guy. So the UK chapter of the Z-28 club can rest easy. I want a spare so I'll try the telefunken one, and if my numbed old ears can tell any difference I'll report back. I assume the Svetlana EF86 is the factory stock tube? My amp is 3 years old and was retubed by the previous owner. The 6v6's are Groove Tubes. Cool Dave, Glad I could help. Mike really is very helpful, I have his tubes in all my amps..you can't believe what his suggestions did to my lil ole SF VibroChamp !!!
|
|
|
Post by guitarhead on Jan 17, 2006 6:37:58 GMT -7
Dario Miniwatt EF86 from from Mike@ kca nos tubes.
|
|
|
Post by UnclePat on Jan 18, 2006 8:12:28 GMT -7
The Dario gets a big "thumbs up" from me as well. My combo routinely runs around 3PM on the volume knob, and that tube is hanging *tough*.
|
|
BigMike
Junior Member
The Mykkus Abides
Posts: 89
|
Post by BigMike on Jan 23, 2006 11:33:58 GMT -7
Dario Miniwatt EF86 from from Mike@ kca nos tubes. Another vote from me! Great tube.
|
|
|
Post by terryg on Jan 31, 2006 10:10:17 GMT -7
The Dario is the stock EF86 in the Z28 now, isn't it? A fine tube, certainly. I have not heard the Telefunken, but the GECs I've used strike me as smoother/warmer/fuller than the capable Dario. No complaints in either direction, just a difference.
|
|
|
Post by arniez on Feb 1, 2006 7:02:10 GMT -7
Is the Dario Miniwatt the same as the Philllips Miniwatt- you know one of those relabeling things? ArnieZ
|
|
|
Post by jwr on Feb 1, 2006 9:01:02 GMT -7
Myles had told me that the NOS EF86 tubes are all pretty reliable, and the new ones are not. It's just a matter of taste which NOS tubes will work for ya and fit your tastes.
|
|
|
Post by bwags on Feb 1, 2006 14:04:08 GMT -7
I put a Dario in my Z28.It sounds great.I can now dime the amp without microphonic feedback.
|
|
|
Post by myles on Feb 3, 2006 20:37:18 GMT -7
The Dario Miniwatts from Mike at KCA are great and last a very long time. This is what I use in most of my amps and those of my clients for the most part. I do have a GEC (that was a gift from Terry Guder) that lives in the Z-28 at times and the KT-45 at times. That is a great tube but very pricy. Then again, they last a long time so it would take about a half a dozen new productions ones (if you got lucky) to last as long as a GEC. I have seen some Mullard EF86's that are originals in 60s Vox amps that are still running strong.
|
|
|
Post by myles on Feb 3, 2006 20:38:51 GMT -7
As tele62 said I would, I got a prompt reply back from Mike today, who reports that "Telefunkens are great". Nice guy. So the UK chapter of the Z-28 club can rest easy. I want a spare so I'll try the telefunken one, and if my numbed old ears can tell any difference I'll report back. I assume the Svetlana EF86 is the factory stock tube? My amp is 3 years old and was retubed by the previous owner. The 6v6's are Groove Tubes. GT 6V6s .... there are a number of them. Stick with the 6V6R or 6V6S in a #5-6 rating if you do not go the NOS route.
|
|
|
Post by myles on Feb 3, 2006 20:39:43 GMT -7
Myles had told me that the NOS EF86 tubes are all pretty reliable, and the new ones are not. It's just a matter of taste which NOS tubes will work for ya and fit your tastes. Right you are.
|
|
|
Post by terryg on Feb 4, 2006 0:31:20 GMT -7
Righteous you are...+1, Captain. You've opened up a huge world to me, and I could never thank you enough.
|
|
|
Post by myles on Feb 9, 2006 13:17:59 GMT -7
Look at my post on the EF86 Mullard that Mike at KCA currently has for sale.
They are killer in this amp.
|
|
|
Post by UnclePat on Feb 19, 2006 10:41:19 GMT -7
Yes, they are.The Dario I had was starting to go microphonic after the beating I had given it in a combo cab. I've since gone to a head and cab arrangement and replaced the Dario with one of those Mullards, and I'm extremely happy with it. I also see where they've gone up $10 this past week!
|
|
|
Post by arniez on Feb 27, 2006 18:05:54 GMT -7
I recently acquired a couple of Valvo ef 86's and compared them to my Mullard, which is a longer meshed version made in Blackburn. Overall I would be hard pressed to say one is better than the other but my impression was that the Mullard was a little more HI FI and the Valvo a little grittier (Rock n Roll). I would check these Valvo's out, they are selling for a less than the others, and may be a bargain! ArnieZ
|
|
BigMike
Junior Member
The Mykkus Abides
Posts: 89
|
Post by BigMike on Mar 11, 2006 16:52:15 GMT -7
I just ordered a mullard to try. I've been happy with the Dario, but hell, this way, the one i like least can be a backup. Never will that EF86 slot take a current production tube. (at least until someone makes a good one!)
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 11, 2006 20:34:47 GMT -7
I actually have a Mullard and the GEC. I tried them both in the Stingray and actually preferred the Dario. Well I actually liked the GEC as well though it really changed the sound. The Dario had the best of the GEC and the mullard. The mullard had a lot of sparkle but seemed to be a little gritty compared to the Dario. While the GEC gave the least sparkle and the most hifi, clean sound. The Dario fits right in between the two. I see why the Doc really likes these. Now that does not mean the mullard adds a lot of gain or something or is lo-fi. It just seemed to have the most 'vintage' sound of the three. I could see using all three depending on the application. I still got some more experimenting to do. I basically tried the tubes out with the amp set clean and with the guitar plugged straight in with no effects. I would like to see how each tube handles higher volumes and effects. I will say this though, the GEC sounded great with the strat, but the Dario sounded the best with the Tele.
|
|
|
Post by terryg on Mar 13, 2006 12:26:11 GMT -7
These tubes are like good beer or something, huh? I like the Dario fine, but when I put the GEC in it was kind of like going from a Newcastle to a Sam Smiths or something like that. Maybe the Mullard is the Newcastle, and the Dario is a Fat Tire....
They're all applicable, valid, usable, and .... tasty!
I wonder what a Smithwicks would be......
|
|