Use of NOS tubes

Anyone have any thoughts of using NOS tubes on their builds? Just wanted to weigh in and see what everyone thought of NOS vs. New production.

Any thoughts?

-Jayson
FatCat Music Electronics

NOS and new-production tubes....

I had to reply. Don't want to seem like a forum hog but I love this stuff. I like the Watts Model 24 kit I built with all-NOS tubes. An early 70's Brimar CV4004 in the main pre stage, a 1961 Sylvania mil spec JHS 12AX7 with matched sides for the splitter/driver and a 1959 Tung Sol 12AX7 labelled GAP/R COMPUTER for the tremolo section. The rectifier tube is JAN Philips 5Y3GT from th 80's. And my 6973's in this application are Tung Sol labelled RCA's. All very hearty and beautiful sounding tubes. With the Brimar CV4004 (12AX7 type) being the shining star here. Awesome sounding tube......... Now, the Watts Super Thirty-Eight I own is using all new construction tubes: 6973's are Electro Harmonix, 12AX7's are JJ/Tesla and I believe I have a JJ/Tesla 5Y3GT rectifier too. Very tight, bouncy signal with plenty of growl and a nice edgey drive with the newer tubes in the higher-output Super Thirty-Eight. In the Model 24 the NOS tubes help make the sound quite creamy.....but it is a very focused sound still. The 80's JAN Philips 5Y3GT kind of keeps things from being too saggy or brown....like what you would get in the sound department if you were using a really vintage RCA 5Y3GT. Which is not bad. I like focus in the pick attack and the "tighter" sound with the Philips 5Y3GT; it is perfect. More laters. Hope that helps!

Last edited by schaef67 on Wed May 16, 2007 2:07 am; edited 1 time in total

thanks for the reply...sounds like you know your tubes. I just thought I would see who was spending the bucks for NOS vs. New Production...

I recently built a dumble clone, and am using 2x6V6 (sylvania lighting bolts) dark glass, V1 is a Amperex Bugle Boy, V2, is a RCA black plate & V3 is a Mullard AX7 ----what a warm, creamy tone...especially when I use he overdrive...very nice.

I am currently building a Tweed Bandmaster 3X10 -- (thanks Ken for carrying the sprague+ 25@25 cathode caps!!!) -- I am going to use NOS 6L6GB Tung-Sol Tubes for the power.....Picked up a matched set in the original boxes, and cannot wait to hear them!

Thanks again for the input...

-Jayson
FatCat Music Electronics