?Where do you buy your tubes?

Lerxst

Lerxst

spaghetti and blankets
It's high time for a re-tube of my single rect.

I'm partial to winged C 6L6s and I like the looks of Doug's Tubes preamp kit but I'm open to suggestions of other vendors.
 
I've bought from Doug's, from Eurotubes, and locally.

The tubes I got from Doug's (for my Classic 30) sounded great, but one of the power tubes went bad within a few months. That's the only time I've ordered from him. Seems like a well run shop though, and I probably just got a bum tube.

I've found the JJs that Eurotubes sells to be very long lasting and reliable. They tend to lean toward a darker tone though for some reason. I'm really happy with their EL84 in conjuntion with some bright EH12AX7s in the C30.

Most recently, for my Bassman, I bought the tubes locally. Probably paid almost twice what I would have online, but I got EH6L6s (matched pair) and 4 EH12AX7s. The Bassman sounds great with them (though I did put the original 12AT7 back in the phase inverter).

Doug's is a very personal transaction though. I emailed him and told him what I was looking for tone-wise and he recommend and set of three different makes of 12AX7s and a matched quartet of EL84s. Like I said, they sounded awesome until one of the power tubes went bad.
 
Yeah, I've bought tubes locally and paid out the nose for GTs and sovteks...never again. Not a huge fan of the JJ 12AX7s in all preamp slots so that kinda rules Eurotubes out for me (at least for a whole order..I've never played an amp w/ their 6L6s).
 
I bought from dougs once...power tubes crapped out on me in 6 months. Mine were TADs 6L6. I ended up putting the old winged C s back in and they are still going strong. :shrug:
 
Interesting...I'm reading a thread over on MAPS with some similar power tube issues mentioned.....
 
I bought from Doug's Tubes once. I received a bad power tube that almost killed my amp. I had to pay to ship it back to him to receive a new one. He blamed the shipping company, but I'm not so sure. Why was only one tube damaged if the package was handled too rough? I suppose it's possible, but I felt cheated for a first transaction. I'm going to give some other online business a try next time.
 
I might actually go for the JJs....I have enough other good 12ax7s that I can sub in if I'm not thrilled with them.


(not to mention that thetubestore.com is running a 15% off sale on JJs until the end of the month)

15% OFF JJ Electronic Tubes available on web orders only.
Coupon Code: JJSale2010
Enter coupon code at check-out. Offer Expires 06/30/2010
Cannot be used in conjunction with other discounts.

Jello: I've not used the tube depot but IIRC their prices were always a bit higher than everyone else.
 
Done deal....85 bucks shipped for a full retube. Not to shabby for a matched pair 6L6GC, balanced 12ax7 for the PI and 4 more 12AX7s.:thu:
 
It's interesting that so many people have gotten bum power tubes from Doug's. I thought I was probably just unlucky, but apparently it happens fairly often. :shrug:
 
I generally buy tubes when I have the amps serviced localls, but this is an interesting thread...Prages reply below gives me an idea for another thread, though...

Prages said:
It's interesting that so many people have gotten bum power tubes from Doug's. I thought I was probably just unlucky, but apparently it happens fairly often. :shrug:
Click to expand...
 
Just a heads up that I found over on maps; SED 6L6GCs "seconds" from the tube depot for 20 bucks


http://www.tubedepot.com/sv-6l6gc-2nd.html

these SED "factory seconds" are no different. Some were returned from various amplifier manufacturers because they measured outside of their preferred range. While others may have physical irregularities, scratches on the bases or were simple exchanged returns.
Click to expand...
 
Prages said:
Thanks for that. I just ordered a pair for my Weber kit. I've heard that the tubes that come with the kit aren't matched, and aren't great tubes to begin with.

For $25 after shipping, I couldn't resist. :embarrassed:
Click to expand...

I realllllllly like those tubes......I might order a pair too.
 
My order has been delivered.

Now if Weber ever ships my amp kit out, maybe I'll be able to try them out. :)
 
Prages said:
My order has been delivered.

Now if Weber ever ships my amp kit out, maybe I'll be able to try them out. :)
Click to expand...

I'm really looking forward to seeing your kit progress unfold. I suspect it will push me over the edge....

My tubes should be here any day.
 
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