Lets Talk Tubes...

[JJretroTONEGOD]

I'd go for some JJ Tesla tubes over any! They are truly top dog, mullards and phillips are very good but I think the JJ tubes have the sonic edge and richness in tone over the lot. Depends on your tone preference but as I use mules, which are quite bright, the JJ tubes round out the tone (like a low pass filter on a synth or mixing desk) therefore balancing out the guitars harmonics, which is what electric guitar is all about! Pickups and tubes very much so go together, bear this in mind before buying! Just like the way some girls are sexier than others, whatever turns you on mate.

cheers, from Ben.

[Tricalibur]

I think in general terms old-stock ECC83s are more musical overall - less gainy, less fizzy.  I put some NOS Mullard ECC83s in a Fender Tonemaster years back and it TOTALLY transformed that amp. I've been a vintage valve nut ever since.

 :twisted:

so then whats better, a 'matched' set or just a couple valves? What is a 'matched' set anyways?

[JamesHealey]

i'd be interested in trying some NOS 12ax7's but I think the Mullard Reissue EL34 and Svetlana EL34's are top dog anyway so no need to change those.

[stuckin93]

Power tubes must be matched (at least each pair must be) & your amp then "Re-Biassed" to work with them. pre amp tubes are not important to be matched.

[HTH AMPS]

preamp valves are self-biasing - you just plug in and play.

output section valves do require biasing (even cathode-biased and class A amps do to some degree).  

Matched pairs or quads are important for getting the most output from your amp and also for low hum levels (unmatched EL34s will hum LOUD).

 :twisted:

[Tricalibur]

well I have the highest bid on these now http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270070443158 1967 Mullards, hardly used.

[Mr Ed]

JJ.