Decent deal on Raytheon 12ax7a long black plate

[dodger916]

<$20 delivered. I've tried them with very good results. Not my auction

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=330253312912&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=014

Per Timbre Wolf:
"And now, my favorite for V1… Raytheon long black plate, halo-getter12AX7 – Made in USA in the early ‘60’s, these beauties are kind of obscure. They’re often found, used, in old Baldwin organs (with “Baldwin” markings painted on them). Like the RFT, these break up early. Unlike the RFT, they don’t lose articulation because of this early breakup quality, and they are very uncompressed/responsive. They can be clean as a whistle, then come alive with an effervescent bloom of upper harmonics when you hit the strings hard. They’re not as strong in the low frequencies as the Mullard long plate ECC83, but if you try them, you probably won’t mind when they reveal their lively character to you."

He was giving advice on retubing a Triaxis in this thread: http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?t=749&highlight=12bz7

 

[212Mavguy]

Those are one of my faves...have about a dozen or so. They are very well made and last a long time. They should be right up there with Mullards and Amperexes as far as a "gotta have" vintage tube. Good choice for someone to try for a first vintage 12ax7 type.

 

[212Mavguy]

Nah, Shredd, I jones much more for the earlier 50's 12ax7 long blackplate rectangular getter wire above all, :wink: ... and have found that the few long grayplate halo getter 12ax7a 60's ones I got this year kick the ALL the 60's 12ax7a blackplate halo getter I have to the curb! :shock: ...to my ears anyway.

Peace.

 

[Timbre Wolf]

Those are one of my faves...have about a dozen or so.

Me too! 8)

The Raytheons are definitely in my pantheon of ~10 "top three favorite" 12AX7, depending on the amp/position. I also have a rotating list of 7-10 "top three" favorite wild mushrooms, depending on the season.

- Thom

p.s. - that's a Raytheon 12AX7A in my avatar!

 

[Timbre Wolf]

I jones much more for the earlier 50's 12ax7 long blackplate rectangular getter wire above all, :wink:

Have you compared these to early-'50s Sylvania long black-plate 12AX7?

They are quite similar, in my experience. Both are bright and clear, with less bass than most 12AX7, and both have later-breakup character, unlike the Raytheon halo-getter l-b-p 12AX7A.

Cheers!

- T

 

[212Mavguy]

I agree with you on that. They sound similar, but in my experience there is plenty of bass from both tubes. There are strong mids and sweet harmonics from both of them. The long blackplate rectangular getter wire Ray gets the nod from me between the two, there is a velvety "Ray family tone" sound that goes on up til the highest frequencies. In a given amp, if the Ray works well then so soes that particular sylvania, clean or dirty. The Sylvania is less rare and less expensive to procure, but in both cases watch out for microphonics. No way would I trash either of these in a combo amp. Both are wonderful blues/rock tubes in the right amp.