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A thing of beauty – the Mullard ECC83

This photo shows a new old stock Mullard ECC83 tube manufactured at their Blackburn works in 1966. Note the fineness and precision of the electrodes inside the glass envelope—they really don’t make tubes like this any more. The high purity barium/strontium/calcium carbonate emissive cathode coating, high grade magnesium-nickel alloy (better than ‘Cathaloy A30’. See BS 3504:1962) cathode and precision electrode geometry are an engineer’s dream. This tube possesses exceptionally low noise and microphony making it an excellent choice for use in the first gain stages of a tube amp or the Effectrode ‘Blackbird’ tube preamp. It really is a thing of beauty and we’re fortunate that these tubes are still obtainable.

Prices are slowly spiralling upwards though—they’re a finite resource and people are becoming aware that we’ll certainly never see this level of craftsmanship in a tube ever again. There just isn’t the demand, the resources or expertise to make them nowadays. You can expect to pay around £45 for one of these tubes, which is about four times the price of a modern manufacture tube. But it’s worth it. The engineering that good. Not only is the microphony fantastically low and often inaudible compared to modern tubes, the Mullard ECC83 also has a long lifespan, which means the purchase cost is spread across many years, even decades—the initial purchase cost diminishes into insignificance. It’s not like you’re going to be changing them as frequently as, say a set of guitar strings. I highly recommend getting hold of one to try out in the Blackbird or Tube Drive pedals.

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17 COMMENTS

Richard Mccutcheon July 7, 2017 at 04:05:09 Log in to Reply

Hi Phil, you didn't work at GEC Measurements in the early 80's did you ?Perhaps I have you mistaken for someone else!

Phil July 7, 2017 at 05:39:38 Log in to Reply

No not me. Best, Phil

Chris Filben July 2, 2017 at 05:10:54 Log in to Reply

Hi Phil, I am really enjoying reading all of the articles you have posted to the Effectrode website. I just stumbled across this Mullard ECC83 article and had to write a response. When I purchased my Blackbird Preamp I immediately sought out a N.O.S. Mullard ECC83 and swapped out the JJ 12AX7 in the middle position with the Mullard ECC83. Note that I did all of this before reading this article. I paid roughly $45 for the Mullard tube. All I can say is "WOW!" The sound of the Blackbird is more present and substantial in every respect with the installation of the Mullard ECC83.Now that I have read your article I feel very good about my decision to swap out the middle JJ tube for a N.O.S. Mullard ECC83. I have always loved the sound of incredible N.O.S. tubes in home stereos, guitar amplifiers and boutique guitar pedals.Thank you for making such incredible pedals. They truly define my sound now that I own two Blackbird SR-71 Preamps, a Fire Bottle magnetic pickup booster, the Mercury Vacuum Tube Fuzz pedal, the Tube Drive, Glass-A Buffer and the Atomic Power Supply.I anxiously await the release of the latest Tube-Vibe, Delta Trem, PC-2A Compressor and Phaseomatic pedals. As soon as they are available I will purchase each and every one of the pedals. Keep up the awesome work. I absolutely love every Effectrode pedal I have ever heard.

Phil July 3, 2017 at 09:46:19 Log in to Reply

A N.O.S. Mullard ECC83 is an excellent choice Chris. I cannot say enough good things about these tubes and feel incredibly fortunate that we can still get hold of them at what are, in my opinion, reasonable prices. Whata fantastic legacy Mullard left behind, eh. Thanks for you feedback and comments. All the best, Phil

Alan October 25, 2015 at 07:08:43 Log in to Reply

So I now have tried original Mullard AX7s and an AT7 in my tube-drive. You are right the first gain stage offers the observable difference. I did some recordings to changing valves for JJs to Mullards. Difference seems more smooth, and punchier response. Certainly "felt" the difference. Tried the 83 in the Blackbird same experience, although I still find the red channel a bit to balls out for my use, the clean and blue channels are things of beauty and I get swept away whilst playing jazz and blues. In fact I swapped the first valve in the BlackBird for a AU7 and I get even more control for finding the sweet spot. I liked it so much that I found x2 ax7 and x1 AU7 Mullards NOS for £20 each so am very happy. Have to say though. It's your craftsmanship with your pedals that makes the main difference to my tone, not the valves.

Phil October 26, 2015 at 10:50:43 Log in to Reply

Thanks for your comments Alan - I can't take full credit though. Those engineers, metallurgists, chemists, physists and assemblers achieved something utterly incredible when they put these tubes together. This is useful stuff for other players too, so thanks for taking time to write down your thoughts. I'm just waiting for some RCA 7058 tubes from Canada. Will post my findings as soon as I can.

Wes October 23, 2015 at 12:00:24 Log in to Reply

Dear Phil, Two years ago was close to buying Blackbird peddle to run with my Marshall TSL-60 Head thru Marshall Mode 4 Vintage speaker 4X12 16 ohm A cab. I decided instead to buy used Mesa Heart Breaker Head. I then got 2 2X12" cabs also. One is Mesa with pair of EV 200 watt black shadows, other cab with pair of 300 watt re-coned JBL E-120's. The amp heads together sound just terrific. I was gifted a Cry Baby Classic peddle for effects in like at times. I think your Effectrode Tube Vibe or Phaseomatic peddle would allow would allow entire new sound to be added to rig and allow a modified sound the Fender Vibrolux or tube vibrato sound I always liked a lot but more defined with better control than when part of amp only. Using the small semi hollow body PRS Meyers guitar have owned just over a year, the new voice from amps would be imagination (and skill) limited. I already have more power than have ever needed but with combination it also has incredible voice and detail now even at lower volume. I am still looking forward to first Effectrode purchase but quality and sound of the products are far and away best available today or at anytime from what I have been able to hear.

Phil October 23, 2015 at 04:00:46 Log in to Reply

Thankyou for your comments Wes. I'm a huge fan of Boogie (and Soldano) - these are the amps that inspired many years ago to start working with tubes. Wishing you all the best in your quest for the ultimate tone (although I think you're already well on the way there), Phil

Alan October 17, 2015 at 07:10:44 Log in to Reply

Worth doing just one valve or swapping all?

Phil October 18, 2015 at 04:00:54 Log in to Reply

Most benefit is usually obtained by swapping the first gain stage tube, however purists would swap all tubes out for Mullard N.O.S.

Alan October 18, 2015 at 08:18:20 Log in to Reply

Cool, I have some ecc 83s and an 81 on order will see (hear) what we can :-)

Phil October 19, 2015 at 04:27:37 Log in to Reply

Which tube manufacturers made the tubes Alan?

Alan October 19, 2015 at 08:55:51

Mullard. The AT7 is NOS from Langrex, the AX7s are used but look ok.

Phil October 20, 2015 at 09:18:38

Some Mullard 12AX7s were being sold on Ebay recently for about £20 - that's a very good deal. I just bagged NOS Mullard 12AX7 still in it's box for £45

Justin (New Zealand) October 13, 2015 at 08:59:24 Log in to Reply

I've been contemplating buying up some NOS Mullards for my Effectrode pedals for some time now. Could anyone recommend some trustworthy dealers to buy NOS Mullards from?

Phil October 14, 2015 at 05:28:34 Log in to Reply

Hi Justin, Langrex and Billinghurst are reputable suppliers of tubes. They're in the UK.

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