Tubes in an Express

[cradleofflames]

What is the best tubes that are not NOS?

How particular is the Express regarding tube compliment?

I generally use Electro Harmonix in all my amps.

I'll say this right away, I won't use NOS.
1: They're too expensive only to become more so as they become more difficult to find.

2: I can't guarantee a life of NOS tube use. I'm only 21, they will run out before I'm too old. Either that or they'll become so expensive that only rock stars can afford them.

Let's face it vacuum tubes are such a niche they will probably never be as good as NOS were ever again.

[geetarpicker]

All of my clips of my Express on Youtube are with new Groove Tube EL34Ms. Some have bad luck with these and get some duds or a tube that don't last long, but I've had good luck with them using well over a dozen of these in various amps. I do run vintage (not NOS just decent used) Sylvania 12AX7s, though I typically find those on ebay around $15 a piece.

These amps are VERY particular about tubes but I think you can find some affordable tubes that will work well. Sometimes even the cheap stuff can sound ok, you just just have to try them and listen. You can get around microphonics in some preamp tubes (to a point) by NOT stacking the amp on the cab. Actually I prefer that because I can get close to the cab for sustain without any hum pickup from being too close to the amp head itself.

[Rimy]

try the electro harmonix el34 the come very close to the nos siemens.
and the preamp i would suggest v1+v2 tungsol 12ax7 and v3 ei with telefunken anode.
thats only my taste foer non nos tubes.
but as you know, taste varies.

good luck

ralph

[solderstain]

In my Express-inspired amp, I use a set of the 'previous generation' Winged-C EL34s. For 12AX7s, I use an original (read: Made In Holland) Bugle Boy in V1 and in the PI. I'm experimenting with different tubes in V2 - I have an old Tungsram there right now, but I've also fiddled with both EI-Bulgaria and EI-Yugoslavia tubes, both a smooth-plate and ribbed-plate Telefunken, and anything else I have in my 'big-box-o-tubes'. But I'm pretty sold on Bugle Boys in V1 and PI. I run Bugle Boy 12AX7s in V1 of my '63 AC30 and my Marshall SL as well. Yummy tubes!

[Rimy]

as far as i know are the bugle boy and tungsram nos tubes.
so not quite what cradleofflames is looking for.

What is the best tubes that are not NOS?

[pinkmarkos]

I would highly recommend the EI 12ax7's, except for V1 (too bright). JJ 12ax7's, while very cheap, are pretty good. I noticed they impart a little Marshally flavor to my ear. I also like the EH 12ax7 with gold pins. I know people say the gold pins don't make a bit of difference, but they are very smooth with a nice low end. Haven't tried the reissue tung sol 12ax7's, but I hear they are not bad. For power, if you like the 6v6 sound (which I do), the JJ 6v6's are nice. The only other non-NOS power tubes I have are the chinese el34's which I don't really care for. They break up too harshly for my ear. Lots of people like the JJ El34's though. I know this isn't what you're looking for, but the NOS mullards are really, really great in this amp IMO. Also +1 on the suggestion to keep the amp off the cab- helps reduce microphonics and extra noise. Good luck

[2tone]

I would get some NOS Siemens ( or Telefunken $$$$!!! or XF2 etc) The Siemens are still affordable and will last a long time at 390 volts. Expresses are fussy about power tubes. To me Siemens are the best for the $$ and sound. Even better are older Telefunkens( best harmonic content), and for a royal treat put in some ungodly expensive metal based 34's, rebias and stand back...I never liked any of the newer tubes in an Express.

[Darko]

I'm experimenting with different tubes in V2 - I have an old Tungsram there right now, but I've also fiddled with both EI-Bulgaria and EI-Yugoslavia tubes... I run Bugle Boy 12AX7s in V1 of my '63 AC30 and my Marshall SL as well. Yummy tubes!

There is not such a thing as EI Bulgaria. They were allways produced in Elektronska Industrija Nis, Yugoslavia. EI production from late 70's and 80's was very good and it was often rebranded as Siemens, Telefunken and Philips and sold throughout Europe. BTW, I have a lot of NOS Siemens and Philips which are - EI. Some of them are so good that they are clear choice for V1 in Marshall's and AC30's over Mullard, Valvo, Tele's and others.

[solderstain]

I'm experimenting with different tubes in V2 - I have an old Tungsram there right now, but I've also fiddled with both EI-Bulgaria and EI-Yugoslavia tubes... I run Bugle Boy 12AX7s in V1 of my '63 AC30 and my Marshall SL as well. Yummy tubes!

There is not such a thing as EI Bulgaria. They were allways produced in Elektronska Industrija Nis, Yugoslavia.

Just going by what's screened on the glass... The ones I have labeled "Bulgaria" are definitely different-sounding than the ones I have labeled "Yugoslavia".

EDIT: I was going through my 'box-o-tubes' for another reason and decided to pull these out and snap pix. See? I'm not making this up!

[img:640:480]http://www.mofinco.com/misc/ei_12ax7s.jpg[/img]