Old-school NOS tubes in a vintage amp vs modern production: comparative tonal analysis explained.
Going on a tonal quest, I'll try practically anything to enhance my guitar's sound. Years ago, I was drawn by the hype over NOS tubes, believing they could miraculously improve my amp's tone. Thus, I splurged on some fancy NOS 12AX7 preamp tubes to see what the buzz was all about.
So, what exactly are NOS tubes (or, valves, in British lingo)? Essentially, NOS stands for 'New Old Stock,' which refers to tubes made decades ago but never used. This was predominantly during the golden era of tube manufacturing in the 1950s through to the early 1970s. Made mostly for military, broadcast, and industrial applications, these tubes were built under strict quality control, with some arguing that they outshine their modern counterparts.
NOS tubes have gained a legendary status in the guitar world, valued for both their tone and durability. Brand names like Mullard, Siemens, Amperex, RCA, Telefunken, and Brimar represent the pinnacle of tube craftsmanship. You can find these hidden away in old repair shop drawers, inside antique radios and organs, stockpiled by collectors, or for sale from reliable dealers.
Modern production tubes are primarily made in a handful of factories in Russia, China, and Slovakia. Though not necessarily terrible, they aren't built under the same military-grade standards of the past.
When it comes to guitar amps, many players believe that NOS preamp and power tubes offer a smoother tone, richer harmonics, lower noise, and better reliability. Years ago, I started experimenting with 'tube rolling,' or swapping tubes, by replacing the preamp tube in my JTM45 clone's V1 slot.
V1 is typically the first preamp tube in a tube amplifier, located close to the input jack. It handles the amplifier's initial gain stage and significantly influences the overall tone. I tried out Mullard, RCA, Telefunken, Amperex, and RFT tubes. Am I a believer in hearing a difference in tone? Absolutely – tone and feel!
Each tube has its unique characteristics: Mullard tubes from the UK produce a creamy, smooth tone with a rich, round low-end and round highs, while RCA tubes from the USA have a thicker feel with clear, balanced tone, round highs, and excellent articulation. Germany's Telefunken tubes are clear and punchy with pristine clarity, while Amperex's output rich, musical midrange with enhanced harmonics, note separation, and tight bottom. Finally, RFT tubes are thick, dark, and compressed, with aggressive mids, tight punchy bottom, and rolled-off highs.
John Thompson from Bad Cat Amps posits that NOS tubes can improve your tone, though the impact may vary depending on the circuit and design. Carr Amplification's Steve Carr also agrees, saying that he's heard amps transformed by these magic tubes, but that the tone depends on the circuit.
I concur with the experts that it depends on the circuit. Tube rolling a high-gain amp with multiple gain stages, such as the Engl Powerball, only resulted in subtle differences compared to the dramatic tonal shift experienced with the JTM45 clone and a Dr Z Remedy.
Thompson also mentioned something intriguing: "Swapping the Phase Inverter — typically the closest preamp tube to the first power tube — also makes quite an impact on feel and timbre."
In conclusion, a good NOS tube with the right circuit can yield smoother highs, enhanced depth, better feel under your fingers, more harmonic content, and better note separation. Diving into the world of NOS, you'll discover a huge selection of tubes, each with its unique traits. However, be prepared to pay up – NOS tubes can cost two to 10 times more than modern production tubes, and with a thriving market and dwindling supplies, a single 12AX7 can easily fetch £100 or more. But buyer beware – the market is rife with counterfeits and worn-out vintage tubes where the magic has faded. Only buy from reputable dealers unless you're willing to take a risk. Despite the cost, rolling in a well-chosen NOS tube is one of the more satisfying rabbit holes a guitarist can explore.
- In my pursuit of a superior guitar tone, I ventured into the world of NOS tubes, which are made decades ago but never used, often found in old repair shop drawers or for sale from reliable dealers.
- When I started experimenting with tube rolling – swapping tubes in my guitar amp – I noticed a significant difference in the tone and feel with the JTM45 clone and a Dr Z Remedy.
- Each NOS tube, such as Mullard, RCA, Telefunken, Amperex, and RFT, has its unique characteristics that impact the overall sound and feel of the guitar.
- Experts like John Thompson and Steve Carr agree that NOS tubes can improve the tone of an amp, but the impact may vary depending on the circuit and design.
- A good NOS tube, when combined with the right circuit, can offer smoother highs, enhanced depth, better feel under the fingers, more harmonic content, and better note separation.
- Although NOS tubes can be quite expensive – costing two to 10 times more than modern production tubes – investing in a well-chosen NOS tube can be a satisfying experience for guitarists, provided you buy from reputable dealers to avoid counterfeits and worn-out vintage tubes.
