Put a Tungsram in my Mark III

[Facelift]

that I bought off ebay. It had no logos or anything on it, I just compared it with other pics that i found of them. Heres what i got. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110595904946&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

I slapped it in V2 and cranked it for a bit. My first response in comparing the Tunsgram to the RFT that I have been using is the Tungsram is smoother and has way less gain. Could also be just the slot its in. I will try it in V1 and also in V3 to get a better idea of the gain characteristics. I do say though that while I blend R2 and te Lead channel the sound is pretty killer as well. I still think that the Tungsram takes a notch of the gain out that I prefer but not terribly bad. The sound of it kinda makes up for it.

Anyway, I need to play with it more to really find out if I like it or not.

 

[JOEY B.]

I still think that the Tungsram takes a notch of the gain out that I prefer but not terribly bad. The sound of it kinda makes up for it.

Anyway, I need to play with it more to really find out if I like it or not.

The Tungsram in V1 of my Marks make the cleans oh so nice. FWIW, tone overrides gain 24/7 !

 

[Facelift]

yeah but I dont play on the clean channel nearly as much as I do the Lead. Although i do like a good clean sound. The tone I hear from the Tungsram in V2 is great. It seems to be more harmonically rich than the RFT but has about 1/3 less gain. I dont know if maybe since this tube I got from the bay is used and maybe worn out a little or if that just how they are...gainwise. Im really happy with the tone of R2 and Lead blended. Love that thick distortion.

 

[ltd2recto]

To my ears the tungsram is more balanced with less gain than a RFT. Where as a RFT has more bass, gain & less high end.

My fav combo right now is tungsram's in v1-2 & a RFT in v3. The increased high end detail really shines in v1 for the clean channel. The RFT is a perfect compliment to the lead channel in v3. All IMO.

What is your lineup now?

 

[cremona]

I have also played around with this tubes a fair bit.

All RFT`s in my IIc+ made the amp sound too dark and as if there and is lacking transperency, and did not really sing with solo work.
But the sound had a tone of balls, and bass is amazing.

The amp sounds very different with all the RFT`s wich indicates to me that the RFT`S have a very profound sonic signature.

Word of caution, I also tried some RFT`S without the ring getter, the did not not sound as ballsy as the ones with the ring getter.

The tungsrams are very transperent , with all tungsrams in there the guitar almost has that acoustic guitar transperency going in the clean channel, but the lack the punch of the RFT`s

When i put the two tungsrams in v1 and v2 and rfts for the rest , it really gives the best of both worlds imo, and the amp has that singing sustain that sound so godly

 

[Facelift]

To my ears the tungsram is more balanced with less gain than a RFT. Where as a RFT has more bass, gain & less high end.

My fav combo right now is tungsram's in v1-2 & a RFT in v3. The increased high end detail really shines in v1 for the clean channel. The RFT is a perfect compliment to the lead channel in v3. All IMO.

What is your lineup now?

Currently this is what I have going on.

V1-RFT
V2-Tungsram
V3-RFT
V4-Mesa/Ruby
V5-RFT

I personally like what the RFT did in V1. It made the Lead channel come alive. Even though I have one in V3 as well, I did notice a considerable amount of change when all I had was the stock mesa in V3. I notice that the Tungsram definitely gives off a more rounded spongier feeling especially when palm muting. Im not much of a lead player so hearing how they make it "sing" isnt in the cards for me yet. I like heavy distortion myself so I wantto try and get as much out of this amp as possible. So far its going good. I just wish the Tungsram had the same amount of gain as the RFT but with the same sonic qualities.

As for the RFT without the ring getter. I know what you mean. I have tried both and prefer the one with the ring.

 

[kdorsey]

Where are you guys buying your RFT's? Is there a consistent source without paying vintage prices? RFT was the mfg for so many other brands (Siemens, National, etc.) you can get lucky to find a lot or two from various vendors, but that's not reliable in the long run.

 

[Facelift]

Where are you guys buying your RFT's? Is there a consistent source without paying vintage prices? RFT was the mfg for so many other brands (Siemens, National, etc.) you can get lucky to find a lot or two from various vendors, but that's not reliable in the long run.

ebay is the only consistant source. Just gotta look for the right deal. I dont see the point in paying anymore than 30-35 for one tube. Thats kinda high if you ask me but still worth it.

 

[Skyless7620]

Where are you guys buying your RFT's? Is there a consistent source without paying vintage prices? RFT was the mfg for so many other brands (Siemens, National, etc.) you can get lucky to find a lot or two from various vendors, but that's not reliable in the long run.

ebay is the only consistant source. Just gotta look for the right deal. I dont see the point in paying anymore than 30-35 for one tube. Thats kinda high if you ask me but still worth it.

Considering they last a lot longer then current production tubes the price isn't that bad...