Express Power Tubes...

[Paul-in-KC]

All,

I recently completed my first Express build (thanks to all that have helped with comments) and I am really very pleased overall.

I am getting more and more tubes in to play around with V1, V2, and PI. Lots of NOS in 12AX7, 5751, 7025, 12AU7, and 12AT7. So, I feel like I have "good coverage" for those positions.

However, I'm thinking I may need some NOS for the power tubes also.

I'm getting really nice tone now, but it's not the same as Glen's demo video (or the video of that one recently posted for sale - Ingrid?).

I have only heard 2 originals and both through internet video - and yet, there is still an easily recongnizable tone common to the two.

I presently have Groove Tube EL34m (new production) GT rating #5 biased at 45ma - which is pretty close to what I read that Glen runs in his clones.

It sounds great - but it doesn't have the same tone as the originals.

Do I have to get NOS power tubes to get that (assuming that I can achieve it)?

Tube Depot has NOS Siemens - RTF EL34's for $170 a pair. Would these tubes reproduce that tone - IF the amp will?

Any other suggestions - or am I as close as I can get with new production?

Thanks (as always)!
-Paul

[dartanion]

Siemens/RFT are the way to go, however I think you can get them for less than what Tube Depot is selling them for.

[Reeltarded]

Deals on ebay. Buy a quad, save 10 bucks on the next pair. You are going to love them.

[Wm Gerard]

Hi Paul,
Kcanostubes has NOS Siemens EL34 for $150.00 a pair. Hope this helps,
Wm Gerard

[Big Jim]

Man, those RFT's (what most tubes marketed as Siemens are) are getiing pricey! I'm glad I bought some when I did. I got lucky and found a mate for an old XF3 Mullard I had laying around. I picked it up a local tube dealer on the cheap. That's what I'm running in my Express now. I would say the German made RFT sounded pretty good as well. Hard to do much better than those. Remember, one reason Glen's amp sounds so good is because Glen is playing Glen's guitar through it!

[Paul-in-KC]

Hi Paul,
Kcanostubes has NOS Siemens EL34 for $150.00 a pair. Hope this helps,
Wm Gerard

Thanks Wm Gerard - that will definitely help on my next order. Looks like a great source for tubes.

I checked out eBay and didn't find anything that looked great, so I ordered from The Tube Depot. They were a few bucks more there - but I have had great service from them thus far.

Looking forward to hearing what kind of tone they will produce compared to the GT EL34m.

-Paul

[Paul-in-KC]

...Remember, one reason Glen's amp sounds so good is because Glen is playing Glen's guitar through it!

That's a good point, BUT I was listening to that video of Dan (from 65 Amps) playing "Ingrid" and he wasn't playing Glen's guitar.

He played a LP (probably not a '59 burst) - a Strat, and a Tonemaster.

With any of them you could still hear that distinctive original TW Express sound.

I guess I'll get some sense of where that tone is coming from after I get the RTF EL 34s.

I'm hoping mine will take on a little bit of that tone/color with the RTF tubes.

We'll see.

Thanks again to all.

I should be getting my cab from AmpMike at the end of the week (I hope). That's going to make it sound more like an original for sure
(at least when it's turned off).

-Paul

[Gibsonman63]

One thing I have noticed about the Siemens. I bought two pairs and both of them have at least one tube that the metal parts rattle against the glass. They are great sounding tubes, but it doesn't take much vibration to set them off. Is this common?

[Big Jim]

Paul,
Having done an excellent job on the build, and gathering a good selection of glass, you are well on your way to getting your amp sorted out. I'm no expert on amp buiding, but I'm pretty happy with my amp. I found that these amps are very sensitive to EVERYTHING. I guess it's because of their simple, but powerful design. It brings out the good (and bad) qualities of everything it touches. Guitars, tubes, speakers, the power source, the room, your playing etc. You just hear everything. Thats why the guys call 'em "tube testers". If somethings wrong with a tube, your Express will reveal it. When I saw the gutshots of your amp, I thought "damn, my girl has a sister". It looks almost identical to my amp. rj does a good job providing the goods for these builds. I would love to hear some sound clips once you get your tone where you want it!
Jim

[Reeltarded]

One thing I have noticed about the Siemens. I bought two pairs and both of them have at least one tube that the metal parts rattle against the glass. They are great sounding tubes, but it doesn't take much vibration to set them off. Is this common?

Common.. sometimes. You don't hear it in the output though, right, just when you tap the tube?

Hrmm?

[Gibsonman63]

Actually, I have a couple of tubes that a very sensative to vibration, which is why I started using a keyboard stand for that amp with those tubes. Even if I put it on another cabinet, the speakers pick up the vibration and I get a strange feedback effect at the end of my notes. I haven't tried dampening rings to calm them down. That might be worth a shot.

Sorry to hijack the thread.

... now back to our normally scheduled programming.

[Paul-in-KC]

Hi Paul,
Kcanostubes has NOS Siemens EL34 for $150.00 a pair. Hope this helps,
Wm Gerard

Well... darn.

I got a "backorder" email from Tube Depot and just tried KCA NOS Tubes and they appear to be out as well.

Looks like I'll have to go eBay unless anyone here has any they would like to part with???


-Paul

[Paul-in-KC]

Paul,
Having done an excellent job on the build, and gathering a good selection of glass, you are well on your way to getting your amp sorted out. I'm no expert on amp buiding, but I'm pretty happy with my amp. I found that these amps are very sensitive to EVERYTHING. I guess it's because of their simple, but powerful design. It brings out the good (and bad) qualities of everything it touches. Guitars, tubes, speakers, the power source, the room, your playing etc. You just hear everything. Thats why the guys call 'em "tube testers". If somethings wrong with a tube, your Express will reveal it. When I saw the gutshots of your amp, I thought "damn, my girl has a sister". It looks almost identical to my amp. rj does a good job providing the goods for these builds. I would love to hear some sound clips once you get your tone where you want it!
Jim

Jim,

Thanks very much.

I'm looking forward to posting some audio clips - though capturing the sound may be another challenge. I have some digital recording "stuff" but I don't really have a good room.

Anyway - that's a future issue. Right now I'm on a quest for NOS power tubes. I thought I could get some from Tube Depot - but they are down to one tube. Tried KCA NOS tubes and they appear to be out also.



Guess I'll have to try eBay.

Are there any other NOS Power Tube suggestions?

Thanks,
-Paul

[Paul-in-KC]

Wahoo!

Found some NOS Siemens in original boxes - I don't know if these are RFT's - but they are definitely Siemens.

I hope they are good - they are cheaper than what I was seeing the RFT's listed for.

They are about $111 USD per matched pair. I bought 2 pair.

Can someone have a look at these and tell me if they are RFT or other?

[IMG:500:333]http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x37 ... Sel34s.jpg[/img]

Thanks.

[2tone]

the plates on the regular Siemens have four large punch holes. This tube looks more like an Amperex (maybe RFT?) with the small punched plate..