guitar tubes for hi-fi?
- Thread starter gogofast
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gogofast
Addicted Member
Those first two on the left are trash. Please send them to me so I can dispose of them properly.
LOL!
that's my signature image, not the tubes in question.
Old-stock tubes? If it's the same number, it won't matter if it was "for a guitar amp" or not.
Most guitar amps used "standard" tubes... 12AX7, 12AU7, 12BH7, EF86, 12DW7, 6SL7, 6SN7, 6V6, 6L6, EL34, El84, 6550, KT88, 5U4, 5AR4, 5Y3, etc... of the old-stock tubes, almost anything from an instrument amp should also be quite usable (as in no inordinate noise) in a guitar amp.
There are rare exceptions... one is EARLY design 12AX7, before they started using spiral filaments. The early ones without the spiral filaments can hum (noticeably) in a hi-fi amp... in a guitar amp, probably no one would care. However, even these can be used in a hi-fi amp with DC heaters...
Regards,
Gordon.
Most guitar amps used "standard" tubes... 12AX7, 12AU7, 12BH7, EF86, 12DW7, 6SL7, 6SN7, 6V6, 6L6, EL34, El84, 6550, KT88, 5U4, 5AR4, 5Y3, etc... of the old-stock tubes, almost anything from an instrument amp should also be quite usable (as in no inordinate noise) in a guitar amp.
There are rare exceptions... one is EARLY design 12AX7, before they started using spiral filaments. The early ones without the spiral filaments can hum (noticeably) in a hi-fi amp... in a guitar amp, probably no one would care. However, even these can be used in a hi-fi amp with DC heaters...
Regards,
Gordon.
terryblulite
RIP 1954-2019
tryin' to learn something here...Any thoughts on the "hardness" I see some tubes rated for? These are sold for early or late breakup, I figure for 6-string players,then the "late" breakup leans more to hi-fi use.I'm wondering whether to steer clear of these places for audio tubes as maybe they aren't too worried about hi-fi uses. So am I dividing my potential sources into two camps- tubes for my bass amp,and tubes for hi-fi? Sorry if I'm straying off-subject.
Thespeakerdude8
Super Member
"Breakup" or "Hardness" is just a marketing hype, and really only relates to the particular tubes bias point. It really means that if you stick them in an amp with the same bias voltage as it had with a "softer" set of tubes, the amp is going to need to be pushed a little harder to break up- meaning more head room before distorting. I sometimes wonder if this is really just a way to market tubes that test a little weak from the factory :scratch2:
The best tubes for Musical instrument amps dont have much to do with their type as much as their construction.
The thing to consider is whether the amp is a combo or a head unit.
Heavy duty tubes such as JAN, JG, CR, etc. are Military prefix designations for ruggedized tubes (among other things). They are the best choice for guitar amps. Also any tube with the letter W in the designation means ruggedized but not nessesarily military.
Preamp tubes such as 12AX7's come in a few different plate lengths and the shorter the plates the better for a combo amp.
Combo amps have alot of vibration which will shake the tubes creating rattle, fade and microphonics.
A head unit doesnt see as much vibration unless you sit it on top of a speaker cab when playing.
As for audio, They generally sit still on a shelf so your ear is the deciding factor.
Speakerdude is correct about "breakup". That has more to do with your amp circuitry than the tubes. You'll think its breaking up sooner but its really rattling early which isnt always bad depending on your playing style but they also continue rattling on your way down from amp distortion which is not a good thing.
Hope this helps.
The thing to consider is whether the amp is a combo or a head unit.
Heavy duty tubes such as JAN, JG, CR, etc. are Military prefix designations for ruggedized tubes (among other things). They are the best choice for guitar amps. Also any tube with the letter W in the designation means ruggedized but not nessesarily military.
Preamp tubes such as 12AX7's come in a few different plate lengths and the shorter the plates the better for a combo amp.
Combo amps have alot of vibration which will shake the tubes creating rattle, fade and microphonics.
A head unit doesnt see as much vibration unless you sit it on top of a speaker cab when playing.
As for audio, They generally sit still on a shelf so your ear is the deciding factor.
Speakerdude is correct about "breakup". That has more to do with your amp circuitry than the tubes. You'll think its breaking up sooner but its really rattling early which isnt always bad depending on your playing style but they also continue rattling on your way down from amp distortion which is not a good thing.
Hope this helps.
terryblulite
RIP 1954-2019
Thanks,that's why I asked... still lurkin'
kvflyer
Super Member
You bet. And not to beat a dead horse, never throw away a weak tube. Yeah, Beam Power tubes may be the exception. But those weak Telefunken 12AX7 tubes will most likely be just fine. They don't work very hard so should not really going bad in audio equipment. Can't speak to guitar amps, I don't usually work on them.
The exception to the rule is a shorted tube. When you are testing tubes, test for shorts first. If they are shorted, do not go any further. The short could damage the tester. Shorted tubes should be discarded. Weak tubes should be "tested" by use in the circuit. So, since those tubes that you have in your avatar are all shorted, I can send you my address. I will take them off of your hands. Disregard any other members request for them
Just kidding about the avatar, just serious about the other stuff...
The exception to the rule is a shorted tube. When you are testing tubes, test for shorts first. If they are shorted, do not go any further. The short could damage the tester. Shorted tubes should be discarded. Weak tubes should be "tested" by use in the circuit. So, since those tubes that you have in your avatar are all shorted, I can send you my address. I will take them off of your hands. Disregard any other members request for them
Just kidding about the avatar, just serious about the other stuff...
isnt a tube a tube?!?!?!?
guitar amp, hifi amp, missile control system, whatever the app, a good tube is a good tube.
some of the stuff they stick in guitar amps i would use not because they sell it at guitar shops but because the tubes are lousy to begin with.
my opinion is...
chinese tubes - junk
russian tubes - some are good
yugoslavian or other soviet block stuff - some are good
korean - junk
NOS american or european - YEAH BABY YEAH! GIVE IT TO ME!
guitar amp, hifi amp, missile control system, whatever the app, a good tube is a good tube.
some of the stuff they stick in guitar amps i would use not because they sell it at guitar shops but because the tubes are lousy to begin with.
my opinion is...
chinese tubes - junk
russian tubes - some are good
yugoslavian or other soviet block stuff - some are good
korean - junk
NOS american or european - YEAH BABY YEAH! GIVE IT TO ME!
Dynacophil
I ain't Phil, I'm 'phile
I can second that...
I got some nice Ei 6CA7 bigbottles, some nice EH big bottles, but it took a while picking those out of the junk...
Good or better und reliable most East german production tubes.
Helge
I got some nice Ei 6CA7 bigbottles, some nice EH big bottles, but it took a while picking those out of the junk...
Good or better und reliable most East german production tubes.
Helge
terryblulite
RIP 1954-2019
Thanks,gogofast,for starting this:yes:I'm thinking I'm gonna stick with the good stuff,too- except 7027A's for a '71 fliptop are gettin' just a little hard to find.Guess I'll pay the price for 'em in my lifetime,and let let somebody else worry about it in 20 years.
kvflyer
Super Member
I generally agree with this. I have used Sovtek 5AR4 tubes with success. Not in a Scott amplifier with 7591 outputs though, just the 7189 299 versions.
But I prefer to use NOS tubes regardless of cost. It is easy for me to say since I have been collecting tubes for years and usually have what I need.
I do like the Soviet Military version of the 7189A, the 6pi14pi-ev (6П14П -ЕВ). Very good results.
Freo-1
Well-Known Member
Also agree. The one additional note would be that there are a few Chinese tubes, such as KT88SC, which enjoy a good reputation for sound and reliability.
kvflyer
Super Member
I am glad to hear that because a few years ago, the Chinese tubes were really said to be inferior. And possibly, they didn't deserve that reputation. I don't have much experience with them. I have a few Scott amplifiers that I received with a brown base 5AR4. I know that it is not an Amperex or Mullard. I also bought a Westinghouse branded 5AR4. It was not marked , but the color of the base said to me, "China". Not to say it was bad, just going by other opinions. And you know what opinions are! I won't go there...
gogofast
Addicted Member
there's korean made tubes? really? i've lived in korea but never seen one......or are you saying "korean" people are junk?:scratch2:
Freo-1
Well-Known Member
I would certainly hope not!!!
I have seen Mullard tubes made in India. I thought there were plants in South Korea in the 60's/70's back when there were TV's made with tubes.
The post also forgot Japanese tubes, which were pretty much all good quality.
Naw - They are all bad. How about you guys send me all your Chinese Penta tubes and I will dispose of them properly :yes:
Freo-1
Well-Known Member
Naw - They are all bad. How about you guys send me all your Chinese Penta tubes and I will dispose of them properly :yes:
In your amp sockets?? :lmao:
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