Frannie preamp tube
Moderators: pompeiisneaks, Colossal
Frannie preamp tube
Do you guys think these are the same type of preamp tube seen in the Franchesca pics?
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Re: Frannie preamp tube
No those look like GT rebranded chinese tubes.
Re: Frannie preamp tube
in fact these are GT... but don't know how old.
To be quite sure you should have one of the originals in your hand to see... many differences are very small and in the inner dimensions of the parts and sometimes you can not see them (I remember that in a fair an hi-fi hobbist showed me 2 tubes.. same brand, very close seing them with magnifier but at the end they where not the same).
after that I think It's very difficult to identify where it comes from (china or USA)
To be quite sure you should have one of the originals in your hand to see... many differences are very small and in the inner dimensions of the parts and sometimes you can not see them (I remember that in a fair an hi-fi hobbist showed me 2 tubes.. same brand, very close seing them with magnifier but at the end they where not the same).
after that I think It's very difficult to identify where it comes from (china or USA)
Re: Frannie preamp tube
Ok, thanks for the feedback. What I find interesting is how the Two Rock Ruby amps come with a tube that looks the same as the ones in the Francesca pictures, which in turn look similar to the GT tube. However, from what you guys are saying, superficial looks can be deceiving. I guess I didn't strike gold after all 
Jake
Jake
Re: Frannie preamp tube
High Jake,
I tested many different tubes.
Consider you have the biggest tonal differences changing the 2 output tubes, while replacing the pre tubes you can hear basically a difference in overall gain and distorsion.
I tested many pre tubes, JJ, Sovtek 12AX7LPS (the best for my soldano), GT, bu at the end I had the best results with tung sol.
for the power el34 I used the winged C (sylvania)...
but anyway every ear listen differently.
In every case, I remember that I read that the original GTs you found in old express were made in usa, while new ones probably are chinese ones selected in USA (but I'm not so sure).
In this case you have to buy NOS tubes, pay more than a new one, and hope to be happy with the rexults. I suggest you not to buy used tubes... sometimes they seems to work as new for 2-3 days and after that the performances fall down
Stefano
I tested many different tubes.
Consider you have the biggest tonal differences changing the 2 output tubes, while replacing the pre tubes you can hear basically a difference in overall gain and distorsion.
I tested many pre tubes, JJ, Sovtek 12AX7LPS (the best for my soldano), GT, bu at the end I had the best results with tung sol.
for the power el34 I used the winged C (sylvania)...
but anyway every ear listen differently.
In every case, I remember that I read that the original GTs you found in old express were made in usa, while new ones probably are chinese ones selected in USA (but I'm not so sure).
In this case you have to buy NOS tubes, pay more than a new one, and hope to be happy with the rexults. I suggest you not to buy used tubes... sometimes they seems to work as new for 2-3 days and after that the performances fall down
Stefano