Ken’s preferred brand of valves in his amps?

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Sat Apr 08, 2023 10:27 am

I remember Ken liked Mullard four notch rectifiers in his Rocket amps as they could handle the current. I have one in my Rocket clone.

Other than that I can’t remember the preferred 12AX7’s, EL-84’s, and EL-34’s.

I thought he preferred different brands in different amps.

What do you know?

Reeltarded · Post by **Reeltarded** » Sat Apr 08, 2023 10:38 am

I have seen Siemans and other german 34s in most Express amps, preamps are Amperex, Mullard.. umm.. I think Amperex BBs mostly in V1..

Amperex 84s and some Telefunken. I don't remember seeing Mullards that came original, but I am unsure about most Rockets.

The Amperex BBs in V1 seem to be the similar thing across a lot of the amps.

2tone · Post by **2tone** » Sat Apr 08, 2023 7:32 pm

When Ken had Mullard 5AR4, he used them. he had quite a bunch of them. Premp tubes differed. Tungsram, some Bugle Boy, Mullard and some Telefunken. They were chosen specifically for the amp. National box tubes were often Amperex BB, etc. For EL84's he went with the Groove Tube labeled old Russian commercial(not the military type) 6n14n. For Expresses, he almost always sent Siemens dimple top EL34..

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Sun Apr 09, 2023 7:45 am

Thanks for your replies Miles and 2Tone. I have heard of Trainwreck amps with various 12AX7’s in them. It’s hard to know if Ken put them in or the customer did.

The EL-84’s interest me quite a great deal.

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Wed Apr 12, 2023 8:48 am

I wrote to John Mark at Trainwreck amps regarding valves preferred by Ken, but I haven’t received a reply.

I will ask Hogy at Komet and see if he responds.

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Tue Apr 25, 2023 9:45 am

No replies from Hogy or John Mark. I decided to act in your advice, Holland made valves.

Thanks for your advice.

Turbojunkie · Post by **Turbojunkie** » Thu Oct 26, 2023 5:41 am

Hi Guys,

Here's pictures of some info that I had, it used to be up on the Hi-Test site...they're a little dark, but should be able to read...Let me know if not.

I can share my experiences with my Rocket in more detail when I get a chance, it's turned out to be particularly sensitive to tube choices compared to other EL84 amps that I've put my tube set in...

HI TEST Tube Suggestions 1 Rotated.JPG

HI TEST Tube Suggestions 2.JPG

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Thu Oct 26, 2023 11:08 am

Look forward to hear your Rocket findings TJ. Thanks for the info.

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Ken’s preferred brand of valves in his amps?

Ken’s preferred brand of valves in his amps?

Re: Ken’s preferred brand of valves in his amps?

Re: Ken’s preferred brand of valves in his amps?

Re: Ken’s preferred brand of valves in his amps?

Re: Ken’s preferred brand of valves in his amps?

Re: Ken’s preferred brand of valves in his amps?

Re: Ken’s preferred brand of valves in his amps?

Re: Ken’s preferred brand of valves in his amps?