Scott Henderson Discussion

[mikoo69]

Hi Scott,

Wondering your thoughts on NOS Tubes.

My new Marshall JTM45 THW comes with KT66s, 3x 12AX7s and a GZ34 Rectifier. While the KT66 NOS are prohibitively expensive, I'm wondering if it's worth going NOS for the preamp and rectifier tubes.

Do you typically use your amps stock, or do you do any mods or tube upgrades?

Thanks

[Scott Henderson]

I've tried NOS tubes in my '64 Bandmaster and the sound was improved, but when I tried them in my Suhr SH-100 they gave it too much bass. According to John, modern amp builders build and EQ their amps using modern tubes, so NOS might not be appropriate - my opinion is that they sound the best in vintage amps.

My amps from Suhr are stock - John likes JJ's and says they've been the most reliable so I just take his word for it. I'm not an expert on different tube brands.

[Red Suede]

Uwe Salwender told me the same thing. NOS in vintage amps, tubes of the day in new amps. I tried NOS in a Diezel amp I used to own. I sent it to him for repair and one of the NOS GE preamp tubes arced on him. He asked if he could take them out. I also put GE power amp tubes in it, thinking the tone would improve, and between he and my amp repair guy (R.I.P), they both said it wouldn't make a hill of beans difference, and they were right. Although NOS Mullards did make a big difference in my Soldano X88 preamp.

[mikoo69]

[peter_heijnen]

I guess it comes down to what the amp designer used during finetuning the amp.