EVH 5150 III - Are NOS preamp tubes worth it?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ledvedder
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ledvedder

ledvedder

Well-known member
I've never been one who got pulled into the NOS hype. But, lately, I've become more and more curious. Especially in a higher gain amp such as my EVH. I'm currently swapping between a Mullard 4004 and a Tungsol 12ax7 in v1. I'd like to get some opinions about NOS tubes. Would it be worth the extra money? What types of changes would I notice?
 
IMHO in an amp with as much gain as a 5150III. I wouldn't bother with NOS tubes.Pick a pre tube that has what you like and just go with it.
 
Jesus still with this amp already?!

They are great stock.....stop messing with it already. You just got it.
 
So, in a Marshall, or any vintage Mesa I do believe in vintage power/pre tube superiority. I've owned 2 of the 50w 5153s and 1 Stealth 100w and I don't think I bothered with much tube rolling. But, you can really drop a lot of cash on NOS tubes. Too much to risk a minimal change in tone with a high gainer like the EVH. So, I suggest you look for some used pre tubes from a reputable ebayer. Last week I grabbed a strong Sylvania D getter early 50s 12ax7 for 24 bucks shipped. Sounds killer. Not NOS, but buying them used lets you hear what if any difference they might make. I also picked up an Amperex with the label worn off, still strong for less than 30. Raytheons, Amperex, GE, RCAs are all available for reasonable prices and if they don't make a difference then you aren't out too much. Mullards are usually expensive even used, and the tubes I mentioned sound just as good in my JCM 800. If you do buy some to try make sure you compare them at a nice loud volume...that's when the different characteristics between the tubes come through.
 
I tried a bunch of different NOS in mine including EI’s and that’s only because I have them on hand. The difference is so minute that you can pretty much get the same sound by just twisting a few knobs.
 
ledvedder":1ps45ets said:
I'm not messing with it. Just curious.
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If someone says yes, you'll be messing with it!

I can tell you this, I had a Blackburn Mullard in V1 of my last one I sold to "The Hoff", and I wish I had another Blackburn Mullard!

It was a thing of beauty in that amp, but, my new one responds very well to better, current production. I have a Tungsol in V1, JAN GE 5751 in V2, and CV4004 in V3, and it really livened it up. I'm very happy with it.
 
I've never tried NOS power tubes so I can't share anything there. But for 12ax7's I have tried and can recommend an Amperex or RFT in almost any amp. In a highgainer it's not going to be a night and day difference between NOS and current production tubes, and you might not think it's worth the cost but there is a difference. I find the NOS tubes tend to last much much longer, and they tend to run quieter as well. I also find that there's a distinct difference in the "quality" of the crunch produced, in that the NOS tubes actually crunch instead of becoming a smeared fuzzy mess.
Keep in mind that good quality RFTs can run you 60 bucks a piece and Amperex tend to cost more still. A long plate ribbed Telefunken is pretty hard to beat in the PI but they're running 200+ bucks these days.
 
Oblivion DC":2mr2jdgv said:
A long plate ribbed Telefunken is pretty hard to beat in the PI but they're running 200+ bucks these days.
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Can you say that one more time...

for me?

Real slooooooow. Please :lol: :LOL:
 
Try a late 50's/very early 60's USA made Raytheon...good strong ones can be had for $30-40 and have a really nice crunchy/smooth type of gain that still has top end bite. I use them in V1 of my Engl Fireball 100 and other than the reissue Tung sols wouldn't use anything else.
 
311splawndude":2w742be9 said:
Oblivion DC":2w742be9 said:
A long plate ribbed Telefunken is pretty hard to beat in the PI but they're running 200+ bucks these days.
Click to expand...

Can you say that one more time...

for me?

Real slooooooow. Please :lol: :LOL:
Click to expand...
Long-plated... and ribbed!! :yes:
 
Based strictly on the description I'd say that's a good deal.

I refuse to buy tubes via eBay but the seller appears to have his shit together.

I'm actually on KCANOStubes.com now looking for something different. I just bought some regular old plain jane JJ and Groove Tube 12AX7s too recently so there's that.
 
My experience with the 5153 (and it's definitely YMMV) is whatever tube quiets down the hiss with the extra gain was beneficial. I think I put a 5751 in V1 and it did the trick. As far as NOS it depends on the amp and the NOS tubes lol. Years ago I bought a bunch of NOS pres based on an "opinion" of how great they were. It was a waste of time and money for me.
 
my experience here too, I bought and tried a bunch of expensive nos tubes and differences are very subtle in high gainers and considering the price of the 'desirable' NOS tubes I wasn't really convinced that this was the way to go.

On a side note, I have a 1972 50W JMP that has original Mullards in it and it actually sounds better with Chinese 12ax7s so be cautious of spending big $ on tubes (not saying Mullards are bad, and mine are likely not too fresh but still something to consider)... For the power section though, modern EL34s can't handle the current on this amp (no grid resistors) so pretty much have to go with NOS, not because it sounds better but simply because the new production ones blow up. If if knew of any current production tubes that would work I would go with these instead of expensive NOS.
 
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