Help with NOS tubes (6L6/12AX7)..

[coolhand78]

which of these are 'better' (if you could say why they are better that would also be helpful)? they're a 64 vibroverb custom...

1. JAN GE 12AX7WA or NOS RCA 12AX7A
2. JAN Philips 7581A or NOS GE 6L6GC


Thanks :NUTS

 

[chaz]

I like the second choice of each best, but it's all up to your ears in the end. I think the RCA's are a smoother, sweeter sounding tube, and if you like some breakup the GE's will give it up earlier than 7581's which are known for lots of headroom. Hope that helps.

 

[Blue Strat]

Neither is "better". It's like asking if green or blue is better. It's a personal/subjective issue.

 

[coolhand78]

I'll rephrase, how do they differ...? i.e.what are the benefits of each...

 

[Timbre Wolf]

Neither is "better". It's like asking if green or blue is better. It's a personal/subjective issue.

Oh, come on Mike - everyone knows that green is the "Mullard" of the color spectrum.

- T

p.s. for what it is worth, I prefer the RCA 12AX7A to the GE 12AX7WA - the RCA has real fat, tight lows, somewhat scooped mids, and bright but somewhat indistinct treble. The GE also has good low end punch, but is a bit less dynamic than the RCA. Both tubes lack the clarity of many other (mostly older) 12AX7.

 

[Blue Strat]

The JAN Philips 7581As will give the most clean headroom and would be brighter than the GE 6L6GCs.

 

[FloridaSam]

I had an amp tech replace the tubes in a 1966 Super Reverb. He replaced the 6L6 with the 7581A. He said he would swap them with 6L6 if I didn't like tham but wanted me to try them first. I loved the JAN Phillips 7581a. They really worked in that amp. Like others have said, huge clean hedaroom from that amp.

 

[coolhand78]

cool thanks for the replies...
i think ill go with the RCA 12AX7A's and the 7581A's

anyone know where i can get some matched 7581a's?

cheers...

 

[Macaroni]

I have Phillips 7581As & RCA 6L6GCs, and while the 7581As have more clean headroom, they don't break up as nice, ie: the OD tones aren't as sweet, IMHO. That's the trade off. They do take pedals well though.

 

[P90Nut]

cool thanks for the replies...
i think ill go with the RCA 12AX7A's and the 7581A's

anyone know where i can get some matched 7581a's?

cheers...

I am sure that Mike at KCA NOS Tubes can help you, or Doug's tubes.

Good luck!


Mark