{"id":861330,"date":"2025-07-09T21:13:54","date_gmt":"2025-07-10T02:13:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/09\/if-you-stick-a-modern-production-tube-in-an-old-vintage-amp-you-may-be-a-little-disappointed-with-the-tone-do-vintage-nos-tubes-really-sound-better-heres-what-you-need-to\/"},"modified":"2025-07-09T21:13:54","modified_gmt":"2025-07-10T02:13:54","slug":"if-you-stick-a-modern-production-tube-in-an-old-vintage-amp-you-may-be-a-little-disappointed-with-the-tone-do-vintage-nos-tubes-really-sound-better-heres-what-you-need-to","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/09\/if-you-stick-a-modern-production-tube-in-an-old-vintage-amp-you-may-be-a-little-disappointed-with-the-tone-do-vintage-nos-tubes-really-sound-better-heres-what-you-need-to\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cIf you stick a modern production tube in an old vintage amp, you may be a little disappointed with the tone\u201d: Do vintage NOS tubes really sound better? Here\u2019s what you need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"
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As a self-proclaimed tone chaser, I\u2019ll try almost anything in pursuit of better guitar tone. Years ago, intrigued by the hype around NOS tubes and the promise that they could magically transform my amps into tonal bliss, I invested in a stash of pricey NOS 12AX7 preamp tubes just to see what the fuss was about.<\/p>\n

So, what are NOS tubes (or, valves, in UK parlance) anyway? \u2018New Old Stock\u2019 (NOS) refers to tubes made decades ago and were never used. This was mostly during the golden era of tube manufacturing in the 1950s to early 1970s, as they were produced in massive quantities for military, broadcast and industrial applications. The saying, \u2018They don\u2019t make \u2019em like they used to,\u2019 might be true for these tubes as they were built under strict quality control.<\/p>\n

NOS tubes have become somewhat legendary in the guitar world, prized for both tone and longevity. Brands such as Mullard, Siemens, Amperex, RCA, Telefunken and Brimar represent the pinnacle of tube craftsmanship.<\/p>\n

These were built to last and many still outperform modern equivalents. You\u2019ll find them tucked away in forgotten repair-shop drawers, hidden inside old radios and organs, hoarded by collectors, or offered for sale by reputable dealers.<\/p>\n

Modern production tubes are mostly made in just a handful of factories in Russia, China and Slovakia. Are they terrible? No. There are some solid current-production options out there, but they aren\u2019t made to the same military-grade specs of the past.<\/p>\n

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How to Replace Tubes in Your Guitar Amp – YouTube<\/span>
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When it comes to guitar amps<\/a>, many players believe that NOS preamp and power tubes offer smoother tone, richer harmonics, lower noise and better reliability. Years ago, I started experimenting or \u2018tube rolling\u2019, as us tone junkies call it, by swapping tubes in the V1 preamp slot of my JTM45 clone.<\/p>\n

V1 is typically the first preamp tube in a tube amplifier<\/a>, located closest to the input jack. It handles the amp\u2019s initial gain stage and has a major influence on overall tone. I tried out Mullard, RCA, Telefunken, Amperex and RFT tubes. If you\u2019re wondering whether I heard a difference in tone, then absolutely \u2013 tone and<\/em> feel!<\/p>\n

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Each tube has its own unique characteristics. Offerings from Mullard in the UK sound creamy and smooth with a rich, round low-end and round highs, while RCA tubes from the USA have a thick feel with clear, balanced tone, round highs and excellent articulation.<\/p>\n

Germany\u2019s Telefunken tubes are clear and punchy and with pristine clarity \u2013 very hi-fi sounding. Meanwhile, Amperex (from the Netherlands) produces tubes with a rich, musical midrange that have enhanced harmonics, note separation and tight bottom. Finally, RFT (East Germany) tubes are thick, dark and compressed with aggressive mids, tight punchy bottom and rolled-off highs.<\/p>\n

Changemakers<\/h2>\n

John Thompson from Bad Cat Amps weighs in on NOS preamp tubes and feels that they can improve your tone, but the impact can vary depending on the circuit and design: \u201cIn Bad Cat amps, the difference in tone is subtle,\u201d he says, \u201cbut if you swap out V1 in an old Fender, you will<\/em> notice a difference. The simpler the circuit, the more you\u2019ll hear the variations in NOS tubes. Not so much with amplifiers using multiple gain stages.\u201d<\/p>\n

Carr Amplification\u2019s Steve Carr has similar views, stating that: \u201cI\u2019ve heard NOS 12 AX7s that absolutely transformed amps from being dull, flat and nothing special to something magical.<\/p>\n

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I\u2019ve heard NOS 12 AX7s that absolutely transformed amps from being dull, flat and nothing special to something magical. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve also heard amps where there wasn\u2019t much of a difference. Vintage amps were designed around these tubes, so if you stick a modern production valve [tube] in an old vintage amp, you may be a little disappointed with the tone. I really think it depends on the circuit.\u201d<\/p>\n

I agree with the pros that it does depend on the circuit. Tube-rolling a high-gain amp with multiple gain stages, such as the Engl Powerball, only yielded subtle differences compared with the dramatic tonal shift experienced with the JTM45 clone and a Dr Z Remedy.<\/p>\n

Thompson also mentioned something else that I accidentally stumbled on while rolling tubes: \u201cWhile many players focus on the V1 tube, swapping the Phase Inverter \u2013 typically the closest preamp tube to the first power tube \u2013 also makes quite an impact on feel and timbre.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Guitar Myth Busting: Tubes Change The Amp’s Tone At All? – YouTube<\/span>
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Although there are many tonal variations from one NOS brand to another, the overall consensus is that a good NOS tube with the right circuit should yield smoother highs, enhanced depth, better feel under your fingers, more harmonic content and better note separation.<\/p>\n

There are plenty of tubes to choose from with some made in the same factories but just with different brand names. As you explore the world of NOS you\u2019ll see a huge selection of tubes with different internal designs, gain ratings and other variants.<\/p>\n

The most sought-after tubes can be identified by etched or printed factory codes, variations in construction, brand logos stamped on the tube glass and many other visual distinctions. You\u2019ll have to do your research to learn about the specifics.<\/p>\n

One of the first things you\u2019ll notice when dipping into the world of NOS tubes is the price tag. Compared with modern production tubes, NOS can cost two to 10 times more.<\/p>\n

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With a thriving NOS market and dwindling supplies, a single 12AX7 will now easily fetch \u00a3100 or higher. The coveted Blackburn Mullards (manufactured at the Blackburn factory in the UK), with their legendary status in the guitar world, can yield a price tag upwards of \u00a3250 for just a single tube.<\/p>\n

But buyers beware \u2013 the market is full of counterfeits and worn-out vintage tubes where the magic has long since faded. Only buy from reputable dealers unless you know what you\u2019re doing or just willing to take a risk. I was not happy when my pricey black-plate RCA 12AX7 died just a few weeks after I bought it.<\/p>\n

Of course, not all NOS tubes are magical and not all modern tubes are bad, but in well-designed circuits, NOS options often have a noticeable tonal edge. Whether you\u2019re chasing vintage mojo, singing harmonics or just curious to hear what all the fuss is about, rolling in a well-chosen NOS tube is one of the more rewarding rabbit holes a guitarist can explore.<\/p>\n