Hi, I bought a 12ax7 from a complete asshole names bigjimguitars from Ebay. I got it and searched the net and couldn't find any reference. The shitty dick motherfucker told me he wont accept the tube back because I don't deserve it. I will copy paste the email:
"If you bothered to read the description, I noted it appears to be a Mullard. Then I included an email I received about it being a rather desirable Made In Japan clone of an early Dutch Amperex. Then you don't even bother to contact me prior to opening a case speaks a lot about you. Then there is your outrageous demands. Send the tube back, but you need to pay shipping back...."
he continues
"Your words speak volumes about you and your character. Please enlighten me, when did RCA make a triple mica 12AX7...that was rhetorical as they didn't. The offer to return the tube is rescinded based on your little tirade, even though you don't deserve to own the tube. "
Here's some pics of it:
Thanks for your perusal and sorry for the picture sizes
Mullard tubes are typically etched with a code that shows the factory of manufacture (Blackburn, etc...) Post a pic over on the Tubes Asylum section at Audio Asylum and you're likely to get some more info on the tube. I'm not sure that Mullard ever made a 3-mica 12AX7, but I could be wrong.
The 3-mica tube and support rods might be lower in micro phonics and good for use in a guitar amp, should you get stuck with it. Try it out yet? Seems to have long plates as well. Interesting....
Cool. Haven't been over to AA much these days but lots of good info to be had. Might be a solid-sounding tube you have there. I have a 6681 GE from Britain that Mullard supposedly never made but it's got the factory code etched in the glass.
He is vinegar doucheness. I don't see how people like him survive in one piece. I'm stuck with the tube and it gives me no thrills. It's really quiet, but doesn't push out the grunge. I like my Sylvanias better. I didn't give him an out. He wouldn't be reasonable if it was the last thing that ever happened to him. I gave him the first negative he ever got on Ebay and boy did he freak out. He even says he's going to sue Ebay for loss of top seller status. It's really surreal, absurd, hellish, whacky, and just bad business. But hey, I don't really give a shit anymore. 30 bucks. I won't be the last bad review. I still want a Mullard. Now actually I need a 12ax7 and el84 for my peavey picovalve.
bigjimguitars
big jim's guitars
dflatblues
Ernest James Mead
from Canoga Park
he uses different ebay aliases
and uses them to leave negative feedback for others
Last edited by devideva on Fri Sep 20, 2013 9:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Bummer. If you get stuck with that tube, don't toss it just yet. Since it's quiet, it might end up working in another position for you or in another piece of equipment. Don't know if you have access to anyone's tube tester, but even a basic one would let you know if it's a "weak" tube.
Hoping my buddy eventually fixes my B&K tube tester. It was really helpful to check preamp tubes that I picked up on the net. If I got one that tested poorly, usually the seller was good about giving me a refund. Also, it's cheaper to buy them individually then in "matched-sets", though power tubes are another matter unless you've got a really good tester.
I've had pretty good luck picking up tubes from Audio Asylum and Audiogon. JSautter was a good seller, if memory serves.
The people at Audio Asylum are really nice and helpful.
I learned that triple mica preserves the second top mica from buildup and so can last longer. So I stuck the sucker in my Peavey Nanovalve because it gets so hot, and also needs a good clean pre for full range. I did try it in a couple other amps and it did nothing. I hear this is a Hitachi and really rare. As rare as wagyu veal I suppose. I am willing to trade it for a standard vintage Mullard 12ax7.
I ended up collecting a fair amount of 12AX7/5751 over the years - mostly for the hi-fi equipment. Anything that didn't make it there was kept as a backup or to stick in my Carr which uses a bunch of tubes. I've heard good stuff about some of the Japanese 12AX7's from that era. Might be just the ticket in a noisy/microphonic piece of gear. I paid a lot for a pair of Mullard 8137's that a guy tried in his Marshall but was looking for more gain, but I wanted them specifically for a phono stage and that's where they've lived. You can find decent single Mullards in the $30-40 dollar range, just try to buy from a guy that tests and has a good rep. AA and A'Gon have been my best resources and once I gained a bit more knowledge and got a tube tester, was more willing to take risks on Ebay.
I bought a pair of NOS RFT 12AX7's awhile back. They sounded nice in my phono stage, but I preferred some of the other tubes that I had. Fortunately, the RFT's are supposed to work well in guitar amps. I grabbed an old 50W JCM 800 from my buddy, so the RFT's might end up going in that
Be on the lookout for Tungsrams. They supposedly sound great in both Hi-Fi and Guitar Amps
I have one Telefunken and I use it in V2 and it is the best sounding distortion I have ever heard. Usually you hear they are mainly used in V1 but they rock. I think I am going to look for more of them. But not on Ebay. I am done with Ebay.
EBay's peer review system is artificial. Power sellers can have negative feedbacks removed if they complain enough. But the average person like me is a peon. I fucking hate Ebay.
