Source for old vacuum tubes - 12AX7

[Scromlette]

Posting on behalf of someone who is trying to source some 12AX7 vacuum
tubes for a guitar amplifier.

He has a preference for old stock as the recently manufactured valves
are apparently noisier or have less pleasant audio response.

Hopefully someone here can help with an Australian source?

Thanks

 

[geoff]

"Scromlette" <scromlette@egg.com> wrote in message
newsoKdnRyzEvy6drTPnZ2dnUVZ_vmdnZ2d@westnet.com.au...

Posting on behalf of someone who is trying to source some 12AX7 vacuum
tubes for a guitar amplifier.

He has a preference for old stock as the recently manufactured valves are
apparently noisier or have less pleasant audio response.

Hopefully someone here can help with an Australian source?

Tell him(?) to try practically any music store, and stop imagining things.

geoff

 

[Phil Allison]

"Scromlette"

Posting on behalf of someone who is trying to source some 12AX7 vacuum
tubes for a guitar amplifier.

He has a preference for old stock as the recently manufactured valves are
apparently noisier or have less pleasant audio response.

** Nostalgia is a bitch.

> Hopefully someone here can help with an Australian source?

** Try " ECC83 " on Ebay.

Someone in Brisbane has a pair of NOS Telefunkens on auction.

BTW:

12AX7 is the US number, ECC83 is the European equivalent.

Also look out or 7025, ECC803, E83CC, 5751, 7058, 7729, 6681 and CV4004.


.... Phil

 

[Scromlette]

On 6/09/2013 10:48 PM, Scromlette wrote:

Posting on behalf of someone who is trying to source some 12AX7 vacuum
tubes for a guitar amplifier.

He has a preference for old stock as the recently manufactured valves
are apparently noisier or have less pleasant audio response.

Hopefully someone here can help with an Australian source?

Thanks

Thanks gents, I'll pass the info on.

 

[Trevor Wilson]

On 7/09/2013 12:48 AM, Scromlette wrote:

Posting on behalf of someone who is trying to source some 12AX7 vacuum
tubes for a guitar amplifier.

He has a preference for old stock as the recently manufactured valves
are apparently noisier or have less pleasant audio response.

Hopefully someone here can help with an Australian source?

Thanks

**I second PA's suggestions. The 7025 (if you can find them) were
specifically designed to be quieter than regular 12AX7 valves.
Telefunkens will likely cost a small fortune.

--
Trevor Wilson www.rageaudio.com.au

 

[Phil Allison]

"Trevor Wilson"

**I second PA's suggestions. The 7025 (if you can find them) were
specifically designed to be quieter than regular 12AX7 valves. Telefunkens
will likely cost a small fortune.

***Here is the listing:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/radio-valves-ECC83-x-2-NOS-/190896149762?pt=AU_Electronics_Vintage_Electronics&hash=item2c724c1502#ht_16wt_951

Only $20 and two days to go.



.... Phil

 

[Trevor Wilson]

On 9/09/2013 9:51 AM, Phil Allison wrote:

"Trevor Wilson"

**I second PA's suggestions. The 7025 (if you can find them) were
specifically designed to be quieter than regular 12AX7 valves. Telefunkens
will likely cost a small fortune.

***Here is the listing:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/radio-valves-ECC83-x-2-NOS-/190896149762?pt=AU_Electronics_Vintage_Electronics&hash=item2c724c1502#ht_16wt_951

Only $20 and two days to go.

**Looks cheap to me. I purchased a couple of Dynaco PAS3 kits back in
the 1970s (around $120.00 each). I built one and used it for a few
years. The other got packed away. I uncovered it a couple of years back
and sold the unassembled kit for $1,200.00. The new owner was thrilled
(he was a medical student in the 1970s and could not afford one then),
given it used Telefunken 12UA7 valves. He had valued the valves at
$400.00 on their own. Dunno about 12AX7s, but I've seen other
Telefunkens sell for a large chunk of money. That said, I agree with
your original suggestion to use 7025s. I built a preamp in the late
1960s using 12AX7s and then swapped them for 7025s. Far quieter.


--
Trevor Wilson www.rageaudio.com.au

 

[Scromlette]

On 9/09/2013 8:27 AM, Trevor Wilson wrote:

On 9/09/2013 9:51 AM, Phil Allison wrote:
"Trevor Wilson"

**I second PA's suggestions. The 7025 (if you can find them) were
specifically designed to be quieter than regular 12AX7 valves.
Telefunkens
will likely cost a small fortune.

***Here is the listing:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/radio-valves-ECC83-x-2-NOS-/190896149762?pt=AU_Electronics_Vintage_Electronics&hash=item2c724c1502#ht_16wt_951


Only $20 and two days to go.


**Looks cheap to me. I purchased a couple of Dynaco PAS3 kits back in
the 1970s (around $120.00 each). I built one and used it for a few
years. The other got packed away. I uncovered it a couple of years back
and sold the unassembled kit for $1,200.00. The new owner was thrilled
(he was a medical student in the 1970s and could not afford one then),
given it used Telefunken 12UA7 valves. He had valued the valves at
$400.00 on their own. Dunno about 12AX7s, but I've seen other
Telefunkens sell for a large chunk of money. That said, I agree with
your original suggestion to use 7025s. I built a preamp in the late
1960s using 12AX7s and then swapped them for 7025s. Far quieter.

Thanks guys.

 

[Phil Allison]

"Trevor Wilson"

Phil Allison wrote:
"Trevor Wilson"

**I second PA's suggestions. The 7025 (if you can find them) were
specifically designed to be quieter than regular 12AX7 valves.
Telefunkens
will likely cost a small fortune.

***Here is the listing:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/radio-valves-ECC83-x-2-NOS-/190896149762?pt=AU_Electronics_Vintage_Electronics&hash=item2c724c1502#ht_16wt_951

Only $20 and two days to go.


**Looks cheap to me. I purchased a couple of Dynaco PAS3 kits back in the
1970s (around $120.00 each). I built one and used it for a few years. The
other got packed away. I uncovered it a couple of years back and sold the
unassembled kit for $1,200.00. The new owner was thrilled (he was a
medical student in the 1970s and could not afford one then), given it used
Telefunken 12UA7 valves. He had valued the valves at $400.00 on their own.
Dunno about 12AX7s, but I've seen other Telefunkens sell for a large chunk
of money.

** We'll see in a couple of days time - backyard dealers are like hungry
sharks when NOS tubes are offered cheap.

End users have little chance ......

That said, I agree with your original suggestion to use 7025s. I built a
preamp in the late 1960s using 12AX7s and then swapped them for 7025s. Far
quieter.

** IIRC, the 7025 was a " special quality" US type made by RCA based on the
12AX7 - Fender guitar amps used them heavily through the 1970s.

In the main, they had reduced microphony and AC heater hum - plus
consistently lower noise than run of the mill 12AX7s.

However, new ones offered now come from China and Russia so have no link
with original US made examples.

It is interesting that so many recent model guitar amps I see have DC
supplies for the preamp valves - which is one sure way to silence that damn
hum.



..... Phil

 

[Trevor Wilson]

On 9/09/2013 4:22 PM, Phil Allison wrote:

"Trevor Wilson"
Phil Allison wrote:
"Trevor Wilson"

**I second PA's suggestions. The 7025 (if you can find them) were
specifically designed to be quieter than regular 12AX7 valves.
Telefunkens
will likely cost a small fortune.

***Here is the listing:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/radio-valves-ECC83-x-2-NOS-/190896149762?pt=AU_Electronics_Vintage_Electronics&hash=item2c724c1502#ht_16wt_951

Only $20 and two days to go.


**Looks cheap to me. I purchased a couple of Dynaco PAS3 kits back in the
1970s (around $120.00 each). I built one and used it for a few years. The
other got packed away. I uncovered it a couple of years back and sold the
unassembled kit for $1,200.00. The new owner was thrilled (he was a
medical student in the 1970s and could not afford one then), given it used
Telefunken 12UA7 valves. He had valued the valves at $400.00 on their own.
Dunno about 12AX7s, but I've seen other Telefunkens sell for a large chunk
of money.

** We'll see in a couple of days time - backyard dealers are like hungry
sharks when NOS tubes are offered cheap.

End users have little chance ......


That said, I agree with your original suggestion to use 7025s. I built a
preamp in the late 1960s using 12AX7s and then swapped them for 7025s. Far
quieter.

** IIRC, the 7025 was a " special quality" US type made by RCA based on the
12AX7 - Fender guitar amps used them heavily through the 1970s.

In the main, they had reduced microphony and AC heater hum - plus
consistently lower noise than run of the mill 12AX7s.

However, new ones offered now come from China and Russia so have no link
with original US made examples.

It is interesting that so many recent model guitar amps I see have DC
supplies for the preamp valves - which is one sure way to silence that damn
hum.

**It's been awhile since I worked on musician amps. I didn't realise
that they'd moved to DC filaments. It's been common on hi fi amps for
quite some time, as I'm sure you already know, and, of course, my dearly
departed 1960s Hitachi clone of a Tektronix 545A (500 Watts power
consumption), which used a bunch of 6080 twin triodes for filament
regulation. All the vertical valves' filaments were operated in series.
Great CRo to use during the Winter. Not so nice during Summer.


--
Trevor Wilson www.rageaudio.com.au

 

[Phil Allison]

"Phil Allison"

"Trevor Wilson"

**I second PA's suggestions. The 7025 (if you can find them) were
specifically designed to be quieter than regular 12AX7 valves.
Telefunkens will likely cost a small fortune.

***Here is the listing:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/radio-valves-ECC83-x-2-NOS-/190896149762?pt=AU_Electronics_Vintage_Electronics&hash=item2c724c1502#ht_16wt_951

Only $20 and two days to go.

** Bidding finished at $157.00 for the pair.

Nuts.

I've got a used Siemens ECC82 " silver plate" in good working and appearance
condition - wonder what that is worth nowadays ?



..... Phil

 

[Trevor Wilson]

On 11/09/2013 4:37 PM, Phil Allison wrote:

"Phil Allison"
"Trevor Wilson"

**I second PA's suggestions. The 7025 (if you can find them) were
specifically designed to be quieter than regular 12AX7 valves.
Telefunkens will likely cost a small fortune.

***Here is the listing:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/radio-valves-ECC83-x-2-NOS-/190896149762?pt=AU_Electronics_Vintage_Electronics&hash=item2c724c1502#ht_16wt_951

Only $20 and two days to go.


** Bidding finished at $157.00 for the pair.

**Sounds about right.

Nuts.

**Oh yeah.

I've got a used Siemens ECC82 " silver plate" in good working and appearance
condition - wonder what that is worth nowadays ?

**Dunno. I got a bunch of nifty old valves, including some GE MOV KT88s.
I'll whack 'em on eBay soon and find out. Back when I used to fix Wasp
amps, I used to pay 25 Bucks for a KT88. Wish I'd stacked a bunch away.
Geez, I haven't seen Ron Holden for 20 years. Last time I spoke with
him, he was an Amway reseller. Shame. Talented guy. I did sell some
stuff to Gil McPherson about 6 years ago. Another good designer of musos
amps.

--
Trevor Wilson www.rageaudio.com.au

 

[Phil Allison]

"Trevor Wilson"

** Bidding finished at $157.00 for the pair.

**Sounds about right.

Nuts.

**Oh yeah.


I've got a used Siemens ECC82 " silver plate" in good working and
appearance
condition - wonder what that is worth nowadays ?


**Dunno. I got a bunch of nifty old valves, including some GE MOV KT88s.
I'll whack 'em on eBay soon and find out.

** GE MOV KT88s, new in box, are worth a motza.


> Back when I used to fix Wasp amps, I used to pay 25 Bucks for a KT88.

** Waste of perfectly nice valves ....

Wish I'd stacked a bunch away.

** I have a bunch of Hitachi 2SJ56 and 2SK176 mosfets, NIB if anyone is
interested.

Geez, I haven't seen Ron Holden for 20 years. Last time I spoke with him,
he was an Amway reseller. Shame. Talented guy. I did sell some stuff to
Gil McPherson about 6 years ago. Another good designer of musos amps.

** I met the bearded, rotund Gil when I worked briefly for Pre-Pak
Electronics in Croydon in 1973 and he was being employed by Jim Cord, just
up the road.

Rough, rude and abrasive were Gil's by words.

I recall his valve amps, branded " Phoenix", used power and output trannies
he wound.

The last product of his that came to me for repair was a hefty, SS mono
power amp labelled " BFA 400" .

So I found his number in Campbelltown and rang him to see what the three
initials stood for.

" Big Fuckin' Amp" was the reply.



.... Phil

 

[Trevor Wilson]

On 11/09/2013 7:34 PM, Phil Allison wrote:

"Trevor Wilson"

** Bidding finished at $157.00 for the pair.

**Sounds about right.

Nuts.

**Oh yeah.


I've got a used Siemens ECC82 " silver plate" in good working and
appearance
condition - wonder what that is worth nowadays ?


**Dunno. I got a bunch of nifty old valves, including some GE MOV KT88s.
I'll whack 'em on eBay soon and find out.

** GE MOV KT88s, new in box, are worth a motza.


Back when I used to fix Wasp amps, I used to pay 25 Bucks for a KT88.

** Waste of perfectly nice valves ....

Wish I'd stacked a bunch away.


** I have a bunch of Hitachi 2SJ56 and 2SK176 mosfets, NIB if anyone is
interested.


Geez, I haven't seen Ron Holden for 20 years. Last time I spoke with him,
he was an Amway reseller. Shame. Talented guy. I did sell some stuff to
Gil McPherson about 6 years ago. Another good designer of musos amps.

** I met the bearded, rotund Gil when I worked briefly for Pre-Pak
Electronics in Croydon in 1973 and he was being employed by Jim Cord, just
up the road.

Rough, rude and abrasive were Gil's by words.

I recall his valve amps, branded " Phoenix", used power and output trannies
he wound.

**Yup. I repaired one once. Ironically, it had a buggered output tranny.
I took it down to Special Transformers to have it re-wound. The guy from
Special Transformers called me a few days later, screaming down the
'phone: "This bloody thing has 13 interleaves! It's going to cost a
fortune to re-wind." The client loved the sound of his Phoenix, so I
instructed the transformer guy to do the job.

The last product of his that came to me for repair was a hefty, SS mono
power amp labelled " BFA 400" .

So I found his number in Campbelltown and rang him to see what the three
initials stood for.

" Big Fuckin' Amp" was the reply.

**Yeah, that sounds like Gil. He's a funny bugger.

BTW: I used to do a lot of Infinity speaker repairs. At one time, I
communicated with the US. Their budget models were called POS 1, POS 2,
POS 3, etc.

POS = Piece of Shit.


--
Trevor Wilson www.rageaudio.com.au

 

[geoff]

"Phil Allison" <phil_a@tpg.com.au> wrote in message
news:b9arpbF29ovU1@mid.individual.net...

** I have a bunch of Hitachi 2SJ56 and 2SK176 mosfets, NIB if anyone is
interested.

I've got some nice black glass NOS OC71 if anybody wants. The Sound Of
Germnium. Very exclusive - $200 ?

geoff

 

Hay mate Ive come across a BFA400 amp and havnt found a mention of it online apart from you mentioned about fixing one. Was wondering if u could give me some more details on it or if you would be able to tell me where I could get some?

 

Hay mate Ive come across a BFA400 amp and havnt found a mention of it online apart from you mentioned about fixing one. Was wondering if u could give me some more details on it or if you would be able to tell me where I could get some?

 

Hay mate Ive come across a BFA400 amp and havnt found a mention of it online apart from you mentioned about fixing one. Was wondering if u could give me some more details on it or if you would be able to tell me where I could get some?

 

Hay mate Ive come across a BFA400 amp and havnt found a mention of it online apart from you mentioned about fixing one. Was wondering if u could give me some more details on it or if you would be able to tell me where I could get some? 

 

[Phil Allison]

melita....@gmail.com wrote:

Hay mate Ive come across a BFA400 amp and havnt found a mention of it online apart from you mentioned about fixing one. Was wondering if u could give me some more details on it or if you would be able to tell me where I could get some?

** I saw one example decages ago and think only a handful exist - as they were hand made by Gil McPherson. IIRC it was a fairly normal transistor power amp using parallel Motorola TO3s.



.... Phil