Please tell me about NOS RFT 12ax7/ecc83's

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mctallica1

mctallica1

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I just looked these things up. Kinda expensive at almost $40 each.

Are they worth the cost?

What are the tonal characteristics?

Do you use a full set or only certain slots?

Thanks!
T
 
I tried one in V1 of my Herbert and quite liked it. It has less headroom then the stock tube, so earlier breakup and more gain. Nice smooth top end and a thick midrange. I had one that was kind of noisy and one that was excellent out of the two I bought. It's lasted quite a while so far too.
 
The RFT sounded great in every amp I tried it with in the V1 position. It makes the amp sound more full and adds more crunch, kinda warms up the tone a bit as well. Only negative thing is that it makes the clean channel suffer a bit. I think they're well worth $35 though.
 
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mctallica1":5f965 said:
Do you use a full set or only certain slots?

T
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Deopends on the amp. If the amp has a "good separation" of tubes vs. channels, then into the socket which affects the channel. In vintage Marshalls into V1 in general (for me).

If it is an amp like a DSL, Powerball or something where V1 is shared for all "modes", you have to try if you really like it in V1 (clean) or simply use a later socket, which affects the crunch & lead sound.

Also RFT ECC81 are very nice for PI sockets
 
I think I may pick up a couple.


What is the general concensus on reliability...ie, if I buy 2, what are the chances one will be bad? :doh:
 
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duesentrieb":5df82 said:
Warm and with lots of gain - if good.
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That's also what I've found.

In fact, I think you sent me the couple that I have. I believe they're labeled EGRO. :)
 
I have them in V1 and V3 of my blackmore and in V1 and V2 of my JVM. I also have NOS Siemens (made by RFT) EL34's in my JVM and would recommend them highly. I think that the RFT pre tubes take away the sizzle that some amps can produce at hi gain levels. I feel that my overtall tone on both amps is fatter and tighter. Just my $.02... :)
 
You guys talked me into it :P Just ordered 3 of them.
 
I've been playing with preamp tubes for the last two months and have a pair of NOS 5751 JANS coming in the mail this week. I will give em a shot and post on my findings. To date in my old 59 amp the NOS 12AU7's have sounded the best but I don't have much overall volume. The 5751 are 70% gain as opposed to the 20% of the 12AU7's and should make a big difference. That being said, preamp tube make a big difference and you need to try different ones to see what your ear and amp likes the best.
 
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bill":24fa7 said:
preamp tube make a big difference and you need to try different ones to see what your ear and amp likes the best.
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Agree 100000%!

I have found that in high gain amps, I tend to like some combination of 8th gens, JJ's and Tung Sol's...but not every amp. I really like Sovteks in my VHT and so far, I like a NOS Sylvania in v1 of my MOD50.

I have never tried the RFT's before, so I think having a few on hand to play with should be cool.
 
My favourite high gain amp 12AX7's are the late 80's / early 90's Chinese (square getter) tubes. They are VERY reliable and have tons of gain!
I have a tube tester and these tubes are always at the high mark for output, in fact sometimes 30% higher than other brand new tubes.
Sovteks are the worst, I don't care what anyone says, garbage!
I'd love to know what your thoughts are after trying out the RFT's as I've heard nothing but good ... especially if Olaf likes 'em!! :thumbsup:
He has good ears, old ears, but good!! ;)

Keith
 
RFTs match super well with the tung sol re issue. I use a RFT in V1 and V3 and a tung sol in V2 Very vocal midrange but not like a cocked wah. unique.


you can get deals on ebay i got my tested pair for $23 :lol:

they've been running strong for about a year now.

Brae
 
LOL - old ears. Hi Keith. Hi Jason, yup - with some luck one can find RFTs under several labels here on kraut ebay.
 
I liked the rft in the herbert,savage 120 and 6505, I didn't like it in the powerball,uber, or roadster.

Has anybody tried a rft in a splawn yet.
 
The nice thing about good nos pre tubes is that they'll last for fricking ever. I have a few mullards that have been with me through about 6 different amps over the past 5 years.
 
RFTs have a strong midrange, which makes them a good tube for amps that are a tad on the harsh/shrill side IMO. They helped a lot when I had an Engl, because that amp lacked a nice midrange and had to much highs and lows. They also tamed the Soldano-sizzle when I had a HR50. In my 2203 I just took the RFT out and put a GT12AX7M in which I liked over all of my NOS tubes in that amp. It all comes down to personal preference of a certain tube in a certain amp in the end. :) Personally, I have stopped buying NOS-tubes. IMO prices for the really good stuff went through the roof, especially when there's enough new tubes available again that perform very well.
 
The preamp tubes showed up today!

Can't wait to try them out...hopefully later this evening :thumbsup:
 
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