Who should I buy my 12AX7 tubes from?

[Resonant Serpent]

I know that they all sound different, but are there companies I should avoid buying from because of bad build quality?

I know this is subjective, but is there a reference resource for how each companies tubes sound? I looked, but couldn't find much.

Is there a standard 12AX7 tube that most people use, or is it all dependent on the gear?

I have a Marshall JMP-1 coming in this week that still has the original Electro-Voice tubes in it, and I wanted to replace them.

Thanks.

[utters]

i'm interested in this too...

want to replace the ones in my peavey valverb

[AstroDan]

JJ Tubes are super decent. Bob at EuroTubes is a great guy to deal with, too.

[ubertar]

Why would you want to replace the electro-voice ones? I don't think EV actually made tubes, so they're probably made by someone else and rebranded. EV is an American company, so the tubes were probably manufactured by another US company, like RCA, GE or Sylvania. Nothing wrong with those.

[infopimpster]

Some reputable places to get tubes:

http://www.upscaleaudio.com/

http://www.tubesrule.com/

http://www.tubedepot.com/

[Resonant Serpent]

Why would you want to replace the electro-voice ones? I don't think EV actually made tubes, so they're probably made by someone else and rebranded. EV is an American company, so the tubes were probably manufactured by another US company, like RCA, GE or Sylvania. Nothing wrong with those.

I should have been more clear. I'm not automatically assuming that the EV tubes are crap. I've read so much online in the last few days where people were happier after switching that I wanted to get a 'standard' and compare them to the EV.

[daveg62]

I buy mine from Doug at www.dougstubes.com . Great guy and very knowledgeable with amps and tubes.
I'd only buy from him or maybe Eurotubes fro JJ's.

[tomberdude]

i'm gonna go with infopimpster on http://tubedepot.com/
i just ordered 12 12AX7s from them and couldn't be happier.
great selection, prices, and turnaround.

[fremitus]

another thumbs up for tubedepot. they came super fast and at a really good price.

what more could you want?

[Murphdasurf]

http://www.audiotubes.com/12ax7.htm

[lyle76]

thetubestore.com

jon is a super nice guy to deal with... buy all my tubes from him.

[curtiswyant]

I use thetubestore.com as well, no problems.

[tubetapexfmr]

I don't think this guy means EV or Electrovoice, but instead Electro Harmonix or EH. EV never made tubes, but EH did and still does. As for the best tubes, that JMP will sound its best with some Mullards, whether you splurge on some originals or buy some repops, Mullard is THE classic sound of Marshall amps. I hear the new reproductions are actually pretty good.

http://www.tubedepot.com/mu-12ax7.html

[sdelsolray]

I've purchased many tube from Brent Jesse at:


http://www.audiotubes.com/

Jesse is straight shooter and very knowledgeable. He has a great inventory too.

[ubertar]

I don't think this guy means EV or Electrovoice, but instead Electro Harmonix or EH. EV never made tubes, but EH did and still does. As for the best tubes, that JMP will sound its best with some Mullards, whether you splurge on some originals or buy some repops, Mullard is THE classic sound of Marshall amps. I hear the new reproductions are actually pretty good.

http://www.tubedepot.com/mu-12ax7.html

Actually, I did a google search and found a pair of 12ax7s branded electrovoice on ebay. I'm sure EV didn't make them, but they were probably made in the US. That said, they're pretty rare, and there's a strong chance you're right that the guy who started the thread was confused.