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Post by LT on Aug 30, 2019 19:29:37 GMT -7
I decided to buy a Mullard 5AR4 rectifier for my Cure based on the positive comments in the Tubes section of the forum. Then I thought about the preamp tubes.....so I looked in my tube stash and found an Amperex labeled German ECC83, an RCA ECC83 and a GE ECC81. Plugged em in and they sound and work great. So I ordered a matched pair of JAN NOS Sylvania 6V6's from KCA. The Cure is my #1 gig amp so I'm looking forward to hearing it with 100% vintage tubes.
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Post by dcarver on Aug 30, 2019 22:08:34 GMT -7
Hey LT, when you went to the Mullard 5AR4 did you notice any change in your Cure ?
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Post by mickey on Aug 30, 2019 23:14:04 GMT -7
I fitted a genuine '60s (or maybe 70's) Mullard 5AR4 in my Cure a few weeks ago. It sounded equally as good, if not slightly better than the stock rectifier. No problems at all, and I feel the amp is totally reliable. I did the same upgrade to my Maz 18 and 38 some time ago, again no issues at all. They're expensive to buy, but that's quickly forgotten.
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Post by LT on Aug 31, 2019 7:21:12 GMT -7
Hey LT, when you went to the Mullard 5AR4 did you notice any change in your Cure ? Not so much a change in tone. I went with it based on several comments (including Doc's) about the greatly improved reliability. I had a new JJ rectifier go bad in my Ghia (luckily it was at home and only took out the fuse). As noted, these are not cheap, but I depend on this amp and a big part of that are the tubes.
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Post by dcarver on Aug 31, 2019 19:27:49 GMT -7
Reason I asked is, when I put a NOS 5AR4 (from KCA Tubes) in my Maz 8, it definitely got a bit louder and slightly cleaner. I'm thinking maybe the stock Chinese 5AR4 wasn't putting out full voltage or something. Don't really know why, but there was a noticeable difference. I'm curious if anybody else has experienced the same thing. Anyway, good luck with your Mullard.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Sept 1, 2019 2:10:37 GMT -7
I'll be interested to hear how you like the NOS output tubes. I've tried NOS preamp tubes in all my Z's and really, I like the new tubes fine. All the amps I gig with have NOS rectifiers though. Lookin' forward to your thoughts, Lou.
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Post by LT on Sept 1, 2019 8:01:26 GMT -7
Reason I asked is, when I put a NOS 5AR4 (from KCA Tubes) in my Maz 8, it definitely got a bit louder and slightly cleaner. I'm thinking maybe the stock Chinese 5AR4 wasn't putting out full voltage or something. Don't really know why, but there was a noticeable difference. I'm curious if anybody else has experienced the same thing. Anyway, good luck with your Mullard. Thanks. I'm gigging the amp in a familiar place Friday so I know the settings I use there. I'll see if I can tell then.
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Post by LT on Sept 1, 2019 8:04:04 GMT -7
I'll be interested to hear how you like the NOS output tubes. I've tried NOS preamp tubes in all my Z's and really, I like the new tubes fine. All the amps I gig with have NOS rectifiers though. Lookin' forward to your thoughts, Lou. I gotta admit Dave that I've had great luck for the most part with new tubes. My only issue was that one rectifier in my old Ghia. I just figured I had these nice, older preamp tubes just sitting in my tube box, so why not put em to use?!
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Post by digs57 on Sept 1, 2019 16:31:33 GMT -7
I have been getting amperex/mullard bugle boy 5ar4 rectifier and using a jan ge 12ax7wa v1 in maz...I have had a lot of dud's ge (noisy) and sent back...but with both maz's to my ears sweet vibrant feel to them...did put in a sylvainia jan 12ax7wa v1 with Phillips jan rectifier with new gold 10 in ghia...which is starting to come around...im hanging my hat on the jan ge/sylvainia's while there still around...been using levy's tube damper (v1) rather than tube sleeve to keep vibration and micro's down...
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Post by LT on Sept 7, 2019 13:19:03 GMT -7
Gigged the Cure in familiar loud sports bar last night. I had the JAN NOS Sylvania 6V6's and the Mullard rectifier, although I decided to go back to the stock JJ preamp tubes (truth be told, I've never had an issue with any JJ pre tubes). I thought the amp sounded louder and more open and toneful. I had removed one gain pedal from my board (Chase Tone Secret Pre) which reduced the "output" of the board, but the Cure was every bit as loud using the exact settings I always use at this place. Yay! After the first set, our sound man told me it sounded clearer and had more punch. I trust him as he is an excellent sound man and works with all 4 of the major sports teams here in DFW as a sound tech. Now maybe I'll take Dave's tip above and look into some JAN's for the preamp!
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Post by digs57 on Sept 8, 2019 10:32:09 GMT -7
Good to hear your power tubes are up and running...jj's are a good robust and reliable pre and are ready when backups are needed...I will add that most my playing is done on single coils...jj's might be more robust for humbucker output...just a thought.
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Post by LT on Sept 8, 2019 10:58:38 GMT -7
Good to hear your power tubes are up and running...jj's are a good robust and reliable pre and are ready when backups are needed...I will add that most my playing is done on single coils...jj's might be more robust for humbucker output...just a thought. Even though my avatar has a LP, my #1 gig axe by far is a Strat with SSS. I rarely play humbuckers. Update to the update.....I ordered NOS pre tubes yesterday. All GE from KCA.
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Post by thatstatuemoved on Nov 4, 2019 12:19:43 GMT -7
Has anybody tried the re-issue Mullard rectifier tube? Justr wondering how it compares with a NOS tube. Thanks--Jester
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Post by LT on Nov 4, 2019 13:11:48 GMT -7
Has anybody tried the re-issue Mullard rectifier tube? Justr wondering how it compares with a NOS tube. Thanks--Jester I have not. I'd also be interested to know as the reissue is way below the old stock in price.
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Post by digs57 on Nov 4, 2019 17:57:53 GMT -7
Has anybody tried the re-issue Mullard rectifier tube? Justr wondering how it compares with a NOS tube. Thanks--Jester I...believe it is Russian made tube as opposed to English.(from what ive read) well made but the nos are only here on earth for a short time.
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Post by thatstatuemoved on Nov 4, 2019 19:18:26 GMT -7
My last name is Johnson, but my first name is not Eric and maybe he can, but I guarantee you I could not tell the difference in a NOS rectifier or a new one. I just cannot see paying over $200 for a tube. They may last longer, and they might not. I had some nos tubes once and they were noisier than the stock ones and did not last any longer, and they were very pricey. Maybe I got bad ones, but since then I am happy to use what Doc recommends. My two cents worth.
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Nov 5, 2019 4:04:16 GMT -7
My last name is Johnson, but my first name is not Eric and maybe he can, but I guarantee you I could not tell the difference in a NOS rectifier or a new one. I just cannot see paying over $200 for a tube. They may last longer, and they might not. I had some nos tubes once and they were noisier than the stock ones and did not last any longer, and they were very pricey. Maybe I got bad ones, but since then I am happy to use what Doc recommends. My two cents worth. In guitar amps it's difficult for me to tell the difference between like tube models (new production vs NOS) most of the time. And I've had my share of NOS disasters. For hi-fi it's a different story; much easier to discern. Is NOS better all of the time, definitely not. And considering most of the world's best supply of NOS has already been used up, it gets even trickier. For me, tube failure is the most important concern. With every tube failure comes the risk of further damage to the amp's circuit downstream. But, reliability is impossible to predict with tubes. APEX matching and burn-in seems to be the best so far, to me anyway.
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