Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: math2014 on January 30, 2006, 08:51:34 PM
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Hi all,
Ok so after lots of help from members here, i realized that a valve change is due (crackling popping and a wish for a change in tone).
My question is obviously "where from?"
Watford is the most expensive by far
Hotrox has the best UK pricing
Haarguitars.nl beats them all by far.
I was wondering if you had any dealings and if you can make some recommendations.
BTW i am thinking about JJs ECC83S or ECC803S or Tungsol 12AX7 Reissue for the pre-amp (chime in please for suggestions as of which one should go where in V1,2,3,4) , and JJ EL84s .
Thanks in advance for the "as usual" helpfull advice,
Yannis
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I bought mine directly from Tube Amp Doctor. They might not be the cheapest but are the business. Andreas was really helpful as well.
Hotrox are really quick at shipping.
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I bought mine directly from Tube Amp Doctor. They might not be the cheapest but are the business. Andreas was really helpful as well.
Hotrox are really quick at shipping.
fair point, but i want to avoid TAD tubes... i got them in and dont like them (especially the EL84 ones)
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have a look at JJ tubes then. the coloured ones are supposed to be a gimic but their tubes are really well respected.
The current Tungol tubes are produced by New Sensor (Electro Harmonix's parent company), as are the new Mullards.
I'm really pleased with my TAD valves which rebadge Sovtek and Shugulang valves where as JJ are the actual manufacturer. Both Watford and Hotrox sell JJ's. Eurotubes are supposed to be very good in the US.
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have a look at JJ tubes then. the coloured ones are supposed to be a gimic but their tubes are really well respected.
The current Tungol tubes are produced by New Sensor (Electro Harmonix's parent company), as are the new Mullards.
I'm really pleased with my TAD valves which rebadge Sovtek and Shugulang valves where as JJ are the actual manufacturer. Both Watford and Hotrox sell JJ's. Eurotubes are supposed to be very good in the US.
Any reason why Watford is 20% more expensive than Hotrox? Coz i think i ll shoot for hotrox.
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Watford Valves have a very good reputation, although I confess I haven't ordered from them yet (soon, soon!)
Also, their power valves are generally cheaper than hotroxuk.
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Not sure but I've never bought valves from either. I'm not sure what their matching services are like so that might explain the price different perhaps.
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hmm Hotrox is 1-3GBP cheaper VAT inclusive, whereas watford is VAT exclusive :shock:
Is hotrox reliable for testing etc or i am running a risk of dud valves, whereas watford is guaranteed?
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I've certainly not heard any bad things about Hotrox. They seem to be cheaper for everything - look at the EH pedals for example, so the price different might only be a benefit.
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I've bought all my replacement valves from HotRox, and quite a few other bits as well...
I've always found them to be spot on price wise, friendly on the phone, quick delivery, and just a general, all round good service really. Can't fault them. Their prices for EHX pedals can't be beat... IMO.
I ordered 6 12AX7's once, and was only sent 5, rang them up, they apologized & promised it was going out that day, I received No.6 the next day...
I think Watford's charge more because they do have all the testing rigs etc, and do undertake a lot of testing/burning in/matching on site, as well as carrying a huge range of different valves.
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hmm Hotrox is 1-3GBP cheaper VAT inclusive, whereas watford is VAT exclusive :shock:
Oops, I didn't factor in the VAT. Sorry, guys! :oops:
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I've only ever ordered from Hot Rox UK out of the ones you asked about and they were great, helpful on the phone and very quick postage. Another good one I've used in the past was http://www.tube-shop.com/uk/home.asp, very quick and I dont think the prices are that bad.
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watford do a lot of excellent testing....hotrox do test but not to the same level.
KCA NOS tubes in the states are good, as is Lord Valve - they're pretty good price wise for NOS. Tubestore.com are very quick too.
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i ordered some valves from watford, and it took them about a week to come, and when they did, they were broken - huge squealing microphonics. he sent me some new ones free or charge, but still! two weeks for some poorly-packed valves. I've had better experiences with hotrox...
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Other way round for me - three times!
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i dont know how you feel about ebay power sellers, but i brought some jj valves from this one, and was well happy with the service:
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Voc-Rock-Guitars
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So watford wasnt so good? or hotrox wasnt so good? (sorry for the silly question).
I could try ebay but unfortunately i am one of the few persons on Earth not having an ebay account yet.
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I've had excellent service from Watford Valves, plus they give excellent backup. :)
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I've had mixed service from Watford Valves - a pair of KT66s a few years back that were something rediculous like 23mA appart and in the last couple of weeks I had a pair of Tesla EL34s from a guy who's amp I was modding - they were 8mA appart. I want matched pairs of output valves to be 3mA appart at the most when I pay a premium for them.
Hotrox (approx two years ago)... got a (poorly) matched quad of EH 6CA7s which lasted ten minutes in the amp. I phoned them and explained that I was putting them in an old plexi with around 550v on the plates. They obviously didn't test/match the valves at this voltage because the matching was 'off' and one of them died in the amp.
I now get stuff either from ebay or phone Matamp.
(edit)... fwiw, I have spoken to Eurotubes a few time and they seem very helpfull and have a spot-on record too. Can't beat those prices either - I'll be getting some of their KT77s soon so I'll report on their service.
:twisted:
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I've had mixed service from Watford Valves - a pair of KT66s a few years back that were something rediculous like 23mA appart and in the last couple of weeks I had a pair of Tesla EL34s from a guy who's amp I was modding - they were 8mA appart. I want matched pairs of output valves to be 3mA appart at the most when I pay a premium for them.
Hotrox (approx two years ago)... got a (poorly) matched quad of EH 6CA7s which lasted ten minutes in the amp. I phoned them and explained that I was putting them in an old plexi with around 550v on the plates. They obviously didn't test/match the valves at this voltage because the matching was 'off' and one of them died in the amp.
I now get stuff either from ebay or phone Matamp.
(edit)... fwiw, I have spoken to Eurotubes a few time and they seem very helpfull and have a spot-on record too. Can't beat those prices either - I'll be getting some of their KT77s soon so I'll report on their service.
:twisted:
But wont i be stinged at customs with Eurotubes?
Do matamp provide valves for other amps other than their own?
To be honest with you i was just between hotrox and watford, leaning towards hotrox just for the prices, but if he offers insufficient testing...
Any ideas on how to get JJs direct?
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You can get JJs direct from Eurotubes (ask them to declare them as a gift and/or reduce the declared value so you don't get stung by customs).
In the UK you can get 'em from lots of places - the thing with JJs is that they are tested at the factory even before any other 'reseller' does any matching/testing so you've improved your chances of getting a decent set of valves just by deciding to buy JJs.
I'm sure Matamp have something on their site saying they sell valves direct to the public. Not sure if Dave or Jeff would be matching up pairs/quads for you though, might just be pot luck - give 'em a call, whats the worst that can happen?
:twisted:
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One vital aspect of this debate has been missed by all contributors, and shame on you for not factoring in this vital information.
Do you get a good sticker free with your order! :lol:
With Hot Rox, you do. :wink:
Case solved.
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One vital aspect of this debate has been missed by all contributors, and shame on you for not factoring in this vital information.
Do you get a good sticker free with your order! :lol:
With Hot Rox, you do. :wink:
Case solved.
haha good one!
I got a quote for 4x ECC83S (balanced PI, matched etc) and for a matched quarted of EL84, all JJs, with 4day tracked/insured delivery, for... 56GBP!!!
Hotrox is 63GBP+Postage
Watford is 78.6GBP+Postage
WTF?????????????
I just wonder how much is the sting at customs 17.5%+4%?
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Matamp do sell valves, but they don't allways have matched sets if that's important to you (individual bias on most of the matamps mean you don't need matched valves.)
Usually they have JJ EL34s, JJ ECC83s, Sovtek or JJ 6V6s and 6550s, sometimes there aer others in stock.
Another good supplier is Edicron who import and distribute a lot of the brands. (they supply lots of companies like Maplin, Matamp, I think Watford too)
Valve prices could be on the up due to some political nonsense between New Sensor and Ivan....
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yeah I just read that in Guitarist. some dodgy Russian business organisation is putting pressure on New Sensor to sell up for less than they bought Sovtek for.
i doubt whether it will affect the global price of valves as there are plenty more companies to choose from. anyway I hope everything goes Mike Matthews way.
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Ah well since no-one is doing any proper testing-matching i might as well go for either hotrox or eurotubes (Bob does the real deal with respect to testing, grading etc).
Has anyone ordered from eurotubes in the UK?
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THe problem is New Sensor make a lot of the valves that the big producers use, like Marshall, Peavey, Mesa....so if they want valves and go elsewhere demend goes up....
It probably won't get that far, it's been going on for a few months so far. I think there's only three factories in Europe/Russia - JJ, Reflektor (or what ever) and the old Svetlana plant.
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Posted on Analogman's forum by Reticon which I thought was useful:
Mesa Boogie = buys and relabels Sovtek (russia) and Shuguang (china)
Ruby Tubes = buys and relabels Shuguang (china)
Fender = buys and relabels Sovtek (russia)
Marshall = buys and relabels Ei (yugoslovia) and Winged C (russian svetlana factory)
Groove Tubes = buys and relabels Sovtek (russia) and makes their own 6L6GC Tubes here in the USA.
Peavey = buys and relabels Sovtek (russia) and Shuguang (china)
Electro-Harmonix = buys and relabels Sovtek (russia)
TAD [Tube Amp Doctor] = buys and relabels Sovtek (russia) and Shuguang (china)
PM Tubes = buys and relabels Sovtek (russia) and Shuguang (china)
JJ - Makes *ALL* of their own tubes in their own factory (slovakia)
Ei - Makes *ALL* of their own tubes in their own factory (yugoslovia)
Sovtek - Makes *ALL* of their own tubes in their own factory (russia)
Shuguang - Makes *ALL* of their own tubes in their own factory (china)
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Posted on Analogman's forum by Reticon which I thought was useful:
Mesa Boogie = buys and relabels Sovtek (russia) and Shuguang (china)
Ruby Tubes = buys and relabels Shuguang (china)
Fender = buys and relabels Sovtek (russia)
Marshall = buys and relabels Ei (yugoslovia) and Winged C (russian svetlana factory)
Groove Tubes = buys and relabels Sovtek (russia) and makes their own 6L6GC Tubes here in the USA.
Peavey = buys and relabels Sovtek (russia) and Shuguang (china)
Electro-Harmonix = buys and relabels Sovtek (russia)
TAD [Tube Amp Doctor] = buys and relabels Sovtek (russia) and Shuguang (china)
PM Tubes = buys and relabels Sovtek (russia) and Shuguang (china)
JJ - Makes *ALL* of their own tubes in their own factory (slovakia)
Ei - Makes *ALL* of their own tubes in their own factory (yugoslovia)
Sovtek - Makes *ALL* of their own tubes in their own factory (russia)
Shuguang - Makes *ALL* of their own tubes in their own factory (china)
excellent find mate...
It is funny how some shop salesmen babble like "Hey this valve rocks its mesa... 13quid each!!!"
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The guy that posted it is a big fan of JJ's
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Apparently the New Sensor problem has gone for now. Mike Matthews (owner) confronted the Russian businessmen with some incriminating evidence against them for something so they backed down - or something like that :lol:
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thats good. I doubt whether they would have been so keen to "buy" him out if it hadn't been so successful.