NOS in the cathode follower positions

[evanj69]

Ok, on every forum i am a member of , everyone pounds the table as to how much better NOS are.

I won't even try to debate that point, as I have seen how a simple tube change can make such a drastic difference.
My plan was to load my Stiletto and Lonestar with Tung Sol RI and experiment with NOS in V1/V2 (Stiletto) and V1(Lonestar).
Once finding something i really like, then I would start looking at the PI.

I have recently found out the cathode follower issues with the Tung Sol RI and other (if not all) new Russian tubes. sooooo, now I'm looking for some good "utility" 12ax7's to fit in the CF position.
My intention was not to load all sockets with NOS, just reserve them for the primary tone generators. (as this could get expensive fast).

I'm interested in trying both amps with Tungsram/Tesla/Tung Sol in V1&2 and seeing what i like, and maybe try some others such as RFT/Brimers/Raytheon, but the Tungsram/Tesla/Tung Sol seem to give a good bang for the buck from what I've read.

What would be a couple of good "Utility" NOS Tubes for the cathode follower positions?

I don't need or care for squeaky clean Fender "ish" tones, i never use them. I run the gain on my Lonestar (clean channel) @ 1/2 to 3/4 for a Hendrix type Machine Gun / Bold as Love kinda vibe. (toy with my volume knob as needed)
I REALLY dig OLD Billy Gibbons Tone (First Album). That's channel 2 or the Stiletto.


If there are readily available, and reasonably priced NOS tubes that would outperform the Chinese stuff, that's what I'm interested in. I just need some thought on the topic from others that are more experienced than me in this area.


Any help here would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Evan

 

[Tommy_G]

I have found that a Tungsol RI in V1, and a Chinese in the CF position is a really fine tone, and don't really have much tube lust with that combo.

That said, my curiousity has led me to buy an RCA shortplate for V1, and Sylvania greyplate for the CF, based on my web-research into tube selections. I'll also be trying out some Raytheons.

The Sylvania's are apparently very high output tubes, with lots of mids. Sounds like what I hear with the Chinese tube. Do a search for the tube review by Watford Valves where they discuss the Sylvania.

As far as expense is concerned, there are a lot of offerings on ebay for "almost" NOS, and can generally pick them up for around the same price as newpro tubes. I bought mine for around $15/tube. Yet to receive them.