GuitarGuy08
Well-known member
Hey guys! New here. I have a Rivera Clubster Royale Recording Top that I just love. Recently, I started rolling some tubes to see what kind of difference it would make and was shocked. Maybe this amp is just very reactive to small changes but the differences were undeniable, even when just changing the PI or reverb tube.
So, somehow I wandered into the NOS tube realm and have to say....very impressed. I have some old mullards I put into all slots. One is a red tip old shield mullard(59 I think?), One is a Hammond label and the other a 69 that tests higher than new.
Will definitely try to post some photos of some of the Mullards I picked up. These plates are definitely longer than the normal RI tubes I have on hand but don't think they are long plates. I would suppose not. When I get my RCA longplates, it will be easier to tell! Have some long grey plates and a black plate on the way. I know mullards are normally for British style Amps but boy do they really sing in this Rivera. And the gain here with these tubes...... Glorious. I play straight with no pedals or reverb all of the time, so harmonically right and liquid. I don't think I can go back to current tubes. I guess I've been converted. Could depend on the amp. Oh I also threw one in a little 4w Vox tube amp and WHOA is that a dimensional, mid-laden, little screamer. Will post photos when I can. Would like a pro to double check my identification on these bad boys.
First photos are of what I believe is a Red tipped (medical/scientific) Blackburn Mullard from 1959. Is this a 161? I think so
So, somehow I wandered into the NOS tube realm and have to say....very impressed. I have some old mullards I put into all slots. One is a red tip old shield mullard(59 I think?), One is a Hammond label and the other a 69 that tests higher than new.
Will definitely try to post some photos of some of the Mullards I picked up. These plates are definitely longer than the normal RI tubes I have on hand but don't think they are long plates. I would suppose not. When I get my RCA longplates, it will be easier to tell! Have some long grey plates and a black plate on the way. I know mullards are normally for British style Amps but boy do they really sing in this Rivera. And the gain here with these tubes...... Glorious. I play straight with no pedals or reverb all of the time, so harmonically right and liquid. I don't think I can go back to current tubes. I guess I've been converted. Could depend on the amp. Oh I also threw one in a little 4w Vox tube amp and WHOA is that a dimensional, mid-laden, little screamer. Will post photos when I can. Would like a pro to double check my identification on these bad boys.
First photos are of what I believe is a Red tipped (medical/scientific) Blackburn Mullard from 1959. Is this a 161? I think so
