Review – Mullard 12AX7 / ECC83 Reissue Tube
The Mullard 12AX7 / ECC83 Reissue is a nice tube but in my opinion better suited to home audio than guitar amps. The tubes have well balanced triode pairs and a very even flat response.…
In the Studio – Interview with Geoff Michael – Part 1
Part I If you have spent any time in the studio, you know that all recording engineers are not created equal. I like to work with competent people who know how to get good tone…
Keep it Small
If you’ve ever tried to board a plane with a guitar as a carry-on then you know it can be difficult. Attempting to bring an entire band over to Europe on an independent label budget…
6 Tips For Finding The Perfect Vacuum Tube
Finding the perfect vacuum tube is easier said than done. The industry can be confusing. Below are some recommended tips to implement to make the process go smoother. 1. Markings matter Each vacuum tube is…
The Northern Electric KT88 Tubes and Inspire’s SE KT88 Amp
Here’s a nice shot from Dennis Had (formerly of Cary Audio), maker of the new Inspire Amps. The “Fire-Bottle” amplifier pictured is a single-ended class A stereo amplifier featuring Northern Electric KT88 power tubes and…
Filament or Heater Glow, and Red-Plating in Vacuum Tubes
Last time we talked about blue glow in vacuum tubes and what causes it. Here we’ll look at filament/heater glow as well as red plate glow in power tubes. Filament or heater glow is…
5 Answers to Common Vacuum Tube Questions
In this podcast, one of our audiophile experts answers the following questions about vacuum tubes for both tube amplifiers and guitar amps: Will any tube that fits in the socket work okay? Why are some…
The Tung-Sol KT150 Tube is Here!
New from Tung-Sol! You want more power? The Tungsol KT150 tube is quite possibly the answer. This beast is rated for 70W plate dissipation! That’s 10W more than the already impressive Tung-Sol KT120 tube. We…
A Look at Preamp Tube Gain Factors
Gain Gain Gain Gain Gain For most there’s not much they can do with a guitar amp. You can change speakers and you can change tubes. These changes require a little common sense, a few…
Understanding Blue Glow In Your Amp Tubes
Look at your amp’s tubes and you will likely notice the warm glow inside. The color can tell you whether your amp tube is working properly or going on the fritz. Users regularly express concern…
