We have never met a tube dealer who isn't a unique character. There have only been a few we have trusted and depended on through the years, and many of our purchases were simply finding NOS tubes from random sellers on eBay, once we verified what equipment they were testing things on and let them know if there was any baloney going on, we would tell the world in print. That seemed to get us all on the same page.
We have not needed a matched quad of power tubes since we owned a blonde 100-watt MESA/Boogie Mk2 C+ head that we gigged with, the same amp we infamously cleared the first seven rows of folding chairs with when asked to play a show for the grand opening of a fancy famous international golf mecca. We launched them at 8 am, had them running for the hills with their Styrofoam cups of drip coffee.
When our cherished friend Justin Stabler, tech for PHISH and also a serious musician and player, asked us for a connection, we reached out to Martin Myers in Iowa on the chance he could deliver. We have purchased a couple of stellar vintage new-in-the-box Telefunken 12AX7s from him through the years incognito, as well as some Mullards. Martin found what we needed, and we always love to shine the light on all things tubes and the chase for them, as well as what the heck things are looking like these days.
And on that note, if there is any curiosity yet remaining on why we still hold these vintage glass vacuum tubes on high, let us assure you they absolutely are stars above new production tubes. They sound so much better — richer, more robust, shimmering, and stoutly beautiful when you find the right ones, and they last for years. That, right there, is why even though it may cost you a nice chunk of cash to get in the door, it is far cheaper than having the atrocious Guitar Center on a Saturday afternoon crapola "tone" the rest of your life and blowing cheap modern tubes day after day while standing on a stage. There are some who tell you they sound great with modern tubes. That's nice. Good for you. Come visit us and play your amps alongside ours and see the light. We will forever hold our ground here until someone rises to the top and brings back the magical glass to production. Oh, how we wish they would, but they haven't yet — not even close. Welcome Martin.
TQ: What was your path to all this? There are rumors that since you are in Iowa, you have a corn silo filled with tubes. Is the Midwest a great place to find tubes?
Well, I don't have quite that many tubes, but I know a guy that supplies me with many of them. A year ago this month, I drove out to his place, and he's got a barn that's probably about half as long as a football field, and it's full of tubes. And you get about three-quarters of the way back and they're double-stacked. When I first met this guy, he claimed that he has over 15 million tubes, and when I drove out to his place… yes, he's right!
TQ: What gear do you gig with? You're a musician, and at some point you just got into tubes?
Yes, I used to be nothing but a consumer. A few years back, we bought a new home, and as we were going through all the extra stuff from the storage shed, I came across this box of tubes that I'd kept over the years. And of course, my wife said to just throw them away — you know, they're no good. I had no tube testers. I had nothing. I only bought tubes to put them in my amps. I got curious, went to eBay, listed a handful of them, and within two hours, I'm yelling up the basement stairs going, "Sold one!" And it's been like a snowball running downhill ever since.
TQ: What kind of amps are you gigging with?
My favorite go-to amplifier is an Ampeg J-12. I just love that little amp in so many ways. Has an amazing crunch when you sit on the strings. It's full-bodied and really has like a throatiness to it. It's very dynamic and has a beautiful, clean ring to it. I also play a Fender black panel Champ, a Marshall JCM, and a Peavey Roadmaster.
TQ: You are doing a bunch of Taylor Swift covers in a band that plays all over the Midwest?
Aha, that's a good one. We actually do know a couple of hers we can whip out, from when she was more of a country artist. I use a "10 Top" PRS and a Fender Custom Shop '54 Strat, a '60s reissue gold top, and even an Ibanez Roadstar 2. They seem to cover the bases. Funny thing, that Ibanez: I've been so many places with that guitar, fly gigs and more. It's got Floyd Rose on it and, I swear, that guitar stays in tune better than any guitar I've ever owned.
TQ: What has been happening in the world of tubes? Any strange wild flurries of runs on them thanks to the economy, tariffs, wars, and general shelves-empty mania?
The tariff threats have actually encouraged companies to start looking to opening production facilities in the U.S.A. There is an ebb and flow to things. A lot of time around paydays and at the end of the month, there are more orders. I certainly have not seen a slowdown; things are as busy as ever.
TQ: Are there even many great NOS 12AX7s out there still that aren't a fortune? If not, what should we look for? Is it true that Western Electric is trying to make them here?
A guy that I've met who works for Western Electric now, where they make the 300B, has been talking about producing a 12AX7. They reached out and I offered to do anything to help them. They wanted black-plate RCAs, so I sent them a bunch of shorted-out pulls so they could study their structure. They were obviously very interested in the early-'50s and '60s tubes. This was two years ago. We shall see. As far as 12AX7s, there's a reason why the great stuff is pricy. Telefunken, Mullard, RCA, etc. We all know why.
TQ: Yes, when players ask us for advice and balk at the price of vintage tubes, we share that they will last so much longer than new production, and they'll get their money back, as well as the best sounds of their lives.
That said, I really do love Westinghouse tubes. They can be found for less than some of the other majors. Telefunkens will give you a strong, bright sound, typically. RFTs can give you a darker tone with more out-front mids. I just love a good-quality RCA right down the line. That's just my personal preference.
TQ: We agree. You have a great tube czar, but there must have been days when you went picking in the Midwest. Do you have a story or two from these adventures?
Before I came across my tubes buddy, that's basically what I did. I just spent hours going through tubes on eBay and sometimes would have to buy lots of a couple hundred even just to get three I was chasing after. That's just what you have to do. Just a couple weeks ago I sold a United States Air Force 12AY7/6072 that was original in the box from 1951 — what a tube. I have found some great things. ToneQuest readers should know that the medical-grade tubes are red-tipped, and that's from a stringent selection process: They're looking for balanced and quiet. The blue tips are military and typically high quality, as well. I can find pretty much what anyone is looking for, so let me know. I'll be here for TQR readers — count on it. TQ—Riverhorse
eBay id is marmy_871reverb.com/shop Martin's gear locker-538
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And feel free to check out the band I'm in with my wife — she's amazing, has opened for all kinds of great artists.—dlhband.com