Stuck a Mullard in my DR last night

mikey383 · Apr 25, 2009

I bought a used '65 Mullard 7025 to put in V1 of my Dual. Finally got around to putting it in last night.

I have been using a Chinese 12ax7 in V1, and JJ ECC83s in the other positions. The Mullard was much, much better sounding than the Chinese tube. The tonal changes weren't drastic (about the same as far as highs and mids, a little more low end), but the clarity and articulation was so much better. It was like taking a blanket off the speakers.

I thought maybe it was in my head, so I swapped them back and forth a few times, and each time, the Mullard sounded much better.

Thought maybe someone would like to know this.

KH Guitar Freak · Apr 25, 2009

I wouldn't be surprised really...

jdurso · Apr 27, 2009

Recto's are really good amps for taking to really good tubes. You try the same thing with some fenders and some marshalls and the changes aren't as drastic. I recently discoved this when i went full NOS in the preamp... its a beautiful thing if you get the right tubes in the right positions to get the tone your after. I used to use a geq in the loop of my roadster but after getting the right combination of preamp tubes, i have no need for a geq. Check out my post here if your curious about what i did and what im using.

http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=32608

stephen sawall · Apr 28, 2009

How do you know the tube is a 65 ?

mikey383 · Apr 28, 2009

jdurso said:
Recto's are really good amps for taking to really good tubes. You try the same thing with some fenders and some marshalls and the changes aren't as drastic. I recently discoved this when i went full NOS in the preamp... its a beautiful thing if you get the right tubes in the right positions to get the tone your after. I used to use a geq in the loop of my roadster but after getting the right combination of preamp tubes, i have no need for a geq. Check out my post here if your curious about what i did and what im using.

http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=32608

I bought some RCAs, Sylvanias, GEs, Raytheons, a Silvertone, and Mullards to experiment with. So far all I've done is stick a Mullard in V1 and a RCA in the phase inverter spot. That alone made the amp more 3D and fuller. I left it at my friend's house the same night I swapped them, so I haven't had a chance to mess with it more. I'm getting it back tonight, so tomorrow is experimentation day. I'll post my findings and we can compare

How do you know the tube is a 65 ?

The date code. I63 B5F1. Code I63 is the tube type code (7025), B for Blackburn plant (Mullard), 5 for 1965 (since this code started in '56, it can't be a '55), F for June, 1 for the 1st week.

http://www.audiotubes.com/mullcode.htm