Tube sources

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 10:46 am

In an effort to retube a Traynor amp and also my VOX AC15, I came across:

http://www.eurotubes.com/index.htm

They are a JJ tube dealer. Bob at Eurotubes was VERY helpful and responsive and informative. Since I'm far from a tube expert, it was nice to find a source that was willing to supply detailed information and make specific recommendations as to tube specs and placement.

Does anyone else have sources that they would recommend? ... recommend against?

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 11:36 am

I spoke to my dealer about new tubes for my AC30CC1, Brammy. He suggested that the JJ EL-84's might give it a more 'mellow' tone, whereas the M84s (I think) would be more bright and maybe 'harsh'.

I was impressed with his honesty - "wait until you start getting some cracks and pops before you consider it". And there was me standing there ready to spend my money........

beatcomber · Post by **beatcomber** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 11:54 am

Bob Pletka at Eurotubes is a great guy to deal with. And the JJ tubes he sells made a HUGE improvement to my Traynor YCV40WR.

soundmasterg · Post by **soundmasterg** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 1:13 pm

Bob's a local to me here in the Portland Oregon area. I've heard great things about him, but haven't gotten a chance to look him up yet.

Another good supplier would be Antique Electronics (www.tubesandmore.com).

triode · Post by **triode** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 8:56 pm

Other suppliers of tubes are:

www.thetubestore.com, www.tubedepot.com, www.mojomusic.com and others.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 8:58 am

I've had pretty good luck with the tubestore, they seem to have many hard to find tubes, especially for the old radios which are my hobby, prices are pretty good too.

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 1:40 pm

call Ned at

http://www.triodeelectronics.com/

A real straight shooter!

soundmasterg · Post by **soundmasterg** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 2:54 pm

Ned is no longer at Triode Electronics, and there appears to be some bad blood between Ned and whoever owns Triode. Theres a link about it on the AX84 bbs. Some people have had trouble getting orders and/or communication from Triode since Ned has left. Both the principals at Triode and Ned have rasied their points of view regarding him leaving Triode on the link on the AX84 bbs.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 10:07 pm

http://www.vacuumtubes.net/

Try this place, they have a LOT of tubes, most are new and tested and most are cheap, I found a 3TF7 voltage regulator tube there I couldn't find anywhere else, it wasn't cheap but it is a rare tube.

Lost Coyotes · Post by **Lost Coyotes** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 11:20 am

Anyone dealt with these guys?
www.boiaudioworks.com

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 12:44 pm

I got my JJ's here:
http://www.vacuumtube.com/

Excellent, fast service.

sharkboy · Post by **sharkboy** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 8:00 pm

I have been very happy with:

http://www.tubedepot.com
http://www.tubesandmore.com
http://www.groovetubes.com
http://www.eurotubes.com
http://www.thermalrelief.com

I really like Bob at Eurotubes. He is friendly, passionate and gives fantastic service. I do take some of his direction cautiously, as he is mostly devoted to a single brand of tubes (JJ makes some really great tubes, but they also make some tubes that my ears don't like.)

Greg, can't people also buy from you?

soundmasterg · Post by **soundmasterg** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 8:53 am

Hi Mark, yes I am a dealer for most of the new brands out there and can take orders also.

I'm not setup as a proper business for orders as I mostly get stuff for repairs and builds on my own. I don't have a website either, but I can take credit cards through paypal. Maybe one of these days I'll get it setup proper with a website and what not but at this time I don't have one. I usually don't go out of my way to advertise that I'm a dealer on here however, but if anyone wants to get tubes through me, feel free to email and we can discuss it.

I should really talk to Bob at Eurotubes as he is maybe 20 minutes away (well 30 since I moved) and is another vintage Sunn nut like me. One of these days....

relayer4u · Post by **relayer4u** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 4:49 pm

I have to give a vote to NOS tubes in the front end.

Just installed some RCA 12AX7A short grays with a Mullard milspec 12AT7 in my Fender Bassman 300.

Night and day from the stock (and tired) Fender tubes. This head has so many sweet sounds available, and I can't play very well at all!

I am so glad I went big and got the Fender and Avatar 212. The Ashdown Mag combo 115 that I was playing before was a waste of money, imho, now that I have a good comparison.

The money I spent on the front end tubes wasn't major at all.

Power tubes are where NOS would hurt, I'll most likely get a set of Winged C 6550A tubes as they seem to have a nice rep.

ymmv.

soundmasterg · Post by **soundmasterg** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 1:02 pm

Just a heads up, Winged C makes a 6550C, but has not made a 6550A since the very early 90's, and it had some issues, which is why they went with a 6550B and then a C quite repidly. The 6550C meets the vintage 6550A specs and is a great sounding and long lasting tube. I have six of them in my SVT and have had no issues with them for 8 years or so...they just keep on cooking. I use JJ KT88's in my Sunns and will probably try them in my SVT when the Winged C's die. The JJ's are very well made and sound great too!