Cure for tube hoarding?

[Springfield Scooter]

Do you prefer a clean tone, or a distorted tone?

This was my preamp tube cure:

I started with a very simple amplifier that only uses 1 preamp tube (12AX7) .

I felt that by only having 1 preamp tube, it would be easy to hear the slightest nuiances between different tubes.

I adjusted the amp to have a nice, thick, robust distorted tone, exactly like I prefer.

I then spent time, rolling every 12AX7 tube I had (about 20 different NOS and new 12AX7 tubes).

I learned, that for a distorted tone, preamp tubes really did not matter nearly as much as I had imagined!

Now if I played with a clean, Fender tone, things would be different.

But for the distorted tone that I prefer, preanp tubes had very little effect to my ears.

Your mileage may differ, but this simple test changed my outlook on nos and exotic tubes.

 

[purpleplexi]

^ Fixed.

Peace - pizza. It's all the same

 

[saxon68]

Modelers are the cure….. lol

 

[Scumback Speakers]

I have two 19 gallon storage containers with ANOS/NOS tubes. I'm no help for those looking to get in on the cheap. Sorry!

 

[Wildeman]

Dunno, but everytime I see this thread, it makes me want to buy tubes..

 

[StingRay85]

EL34

200+ Mullard (37 new in box). 90+ RFT (40+ new in box). Tesla brown and black base, Telefunken with and without wings, Svetlana SED pre-=C=

All of them measure within spec, listed in a big Excel table.

 

[Sustainium]

View attachment 122610

ECC83 / 12AX7

You have my deepest respec!

 

[cooljuk]

Do what the pros do - transfer your addiction to something less harmful. Tubes are too easy.

Try collecting 1960s 100k 1/2w Iskras.

Buy all you can. You’ll still have your money and space.

 

[saxon68]

I’ve got 4 EL34 and around 10 12AX7-ECC83, pretty sure that’s too many. Grabbed enough to retube the JVM401H, it’s since moved along, but the SC20H uses them so……. Still good.

I probably should have a pair each of 6L6 and EL84 but not in a rush.

 

[Wildeman]

Alright then, we need to start a collective, when we croak, all our tube hoards go to the collective, for safe keeping and distribution amongst the collective as needed, just think of it, a tube rollers library!🤔😁

 

[tschrama]

Maybe it helps that a tube lasts about 25.000 hours and a 5cent resistor makes more difference that a 100 dollar tube.

 

[Vinsanitizer]

I bought a couple of these, oh, between 9 - 12 months ago, and I paid around $20. This is unobtanium now.
I'm sitting on a small stockpile of tubes in a box, that I bought throughout 2003 - 2010, and they're probably worth their weight in gold at this point.
Even JJ 12AX7's is $30 now.
It's approaching $600 to retube a 100w Marshall, etc., and that's if you don't require bench time.
Take care of your maps, kiddies.

 

[paul-e-mann]

Is there a known cure for it?

Asking for a friend...

Yeah, can you say solid state?

 

[StingRay85]

Maybe it helps that a tube lasts about 25.000 hours and a 5cent resistor makes more difference that a 100 dollar tube.

Nope, doesn't work. I also have thousands of resistors, obviously

And of course, mustard caps 🙃

 

[StingRay85]

Alright then, we need to start a collective, when we croak, all our tube hoards go to the collective, for safe keeping and distribution amongst the collective as needed, just think of it, a tube rollers library!🤔😁

I'm not necessarily against an idea like this. But shipping is not cheap, and customs can be a real pain

 

[Wildeman]

I bought a couple of these, oh, between 9 - 12 months ago, and I paid around $20. This is unobtanium now.
I'm sitting on a small stockpile of tubes in a box, that I bought throughout 2003 - 2010, and they're probably worth their weight in gold at this point.
Even JJ 12AX7's is $30 now.
It's approaching $600 to retube a 100w Marshall, etc., and that's if you don't require bench time.
Take care of your maps, kiddies.

View attachment 123409

Yep, soon as this jive started I bought out my local. Got 7 Tungsol 12ax7, 4 JJ 6v6, 8 EH El 34s, 4 GT 6L6 and 6 EH el84s all at prewar prices, and I already had a decent stash. I put off buying another amp I was eyeing just to build up my stash. I'd rather have and not need.

 

[dro]

Every time you think of buying tubes, buy a new guitar,
You won't be able to afford tubes.