[Paladin79]

Or is this one better?

I would go with the second ones if they are similar in price.

Both have all the indications of a true 1578. The tubes from the 80's have real pronounced midrange while the earlier versions from the sixties are more well rounded, especially the versions from 58-63 that I own. All of them IMHO need pin solder replacement, just like the Fotons. The tube year is in the lower right of the Melz logo, I could not make it out on those but I only have time to look quickly this morn.

 

[SHIMACM]

I would go with the second ones if they are similar in price.

Both have all the indications of a true 1578. The tubes from the 80's have real pronounced midrange while the earlier versions from the sixties are more well rounded, especially the versions from 58-63 that I own. All of them IMHO need pin solder replacement, just like the Fotons. The tube year is in the lower right of the Melz logo, I could not make it out on those but I only have time to look quickly this morn.

Thanks for the clarification. If I choose Melz, I must buy the second one, confirm Paladin79 indication. As the money is short, I am in huge doubt between the Melz 1578 and a pair of GEC L63, since you can't buy both. Can anyone make a brief comparison of the two?

 

[Paladin79]

Thanks for the clarification. If I choose Melz, I must buy the second one, confirm Paladin79 indication. As the money is short, I am in huge doubt between the Melz 1578 and a pair of GEC L63, since you can't buy both. Can anyone make a brief comparison of the two?

I believe @bcowen can.

 

[JKDJedi]

Thanks for the clarification. If I choose Melz, I must buy the second one, confirm Paladin79 indication. As the money is short, I am in huge doubt between the Melz 1578 and a pair of GEC L63, since you can't buy both. Can anyone make a brief comparison of the two?

If your unable to desolder the pins of the Melz 1578 then clearly the GECL63 would be a better buy.

 

[Slade01]

If your unable to desolder the pins of the Melz 1578 then clearly the GECL63 would be a better buy.

@SHIMACM I can only add that if you did go with the GEC L63 approach - you would invest in that dual 6J5 adapter - which will open you up to another, deeper vein in the rabbit hole of tube rolling...

 

[JKDJedi]

Well... as luck would have it..talk about Melz tubes...and look what just dropped in today... 4 weeks in waiting. Not the premium 1578 but a Melz just the same. See how they stack up to the 1578 on hand and especially...to the mystery tube coming in later this week.

 

[Paladin79]

Well... as luck would have it..talk about Melz tubes...and look what just dropped in today... 4 weeks in waiting. Not the premium 1578 but a Melz just the same. See how they stack up to the 1578 on hand and especially...to the mystery tube coming in later this week.

Just do not get them mixed up and send @sam6550a one of those.

 

[kvik]

Regarding resoldering pins.. any advice on how this is best done? Received a pair of 1958 Melz, and one is fine I believe, but the other makes loud crackling noises. I am not that experienced with a solder iron, but perhaps with some idea of what to do and not do, I might still give it a go.

 

[sam6550a]

Just do not get them mixed up and send @sam6550a one of those.

One unknown in the equation is all I can handle. I would like to hear @JKDJedi's results of his comparison of the "special" Melz to his find.

 

[sam6550a]

Regarding resoldering pins.. any advice on how this is best done? Received a pair of 1958 Melz, and one is fine I believe, but the other makes loud crackling noises. I am not that experienced with a solder iron, but perhaps with some idea of what to do and not do, I might still give it a go.

@Paladin79 is the expert on this task. I use a Hakko FR-301 desoldering tool, along with a Weller soldering iron, Kester liquid flux, and Kester #66/44 0.031" solder. @Paladin79 posted a procedure summary on this thread a while ago, but I could not locate it. Suggest you contact him.

 

[Paladin79]

One unknown in the equation is all I can handle. I would like to hear @JKDJedi's results of his comparison of the "special" Melz to his find.

I have a pretty good idea since I already own some of those Melz with round micas.

 

[Paladin79]

@Paladin79 is the expert on this task. I use a Hakko FR-301 desoldering tool, along with a Weller soldering iron, Kester liquid flux, and Kester #66/44 0.031" solder. @Paladin79 posted a procedure summary on this thread a while ago, but I could not locate it. Suggest you contact him.

As much as I resist following his advice, @bcowen suggested not long ago that I should do a Word document with photos showing all the steps. I will try to work on that this week. This would be a very easy solution and save me a lot of typing and hunting for photos. Sam certainly knows what he is doing on this, as does this Cowen fellow.

 

[Paladin79]

Regarding resoldering pins.. any advice on how this is best done? Received a pair of 1958 Melz, and one is fine I believe, but the other makes loud crackling noises. I am not that experienced with a solder iron, but perhaps with some idea of what to do and not do, I might still give it a go.

You have a very fine year for Melz, got photos? Perforated plate or solid?

 

[kvik]

They are perforated (see below). I found some of your comments in this thread about solder replacement. And realize I need to practice on duds first. Some photos of the process would still be very useful.

 

[Paladin79]

They are perforated (see below). I found some of your comments in this thread about solder replacement. And realize I need to practice on duds first. Some photos of the process would still be very useful.

Those are indeed excellent tubes. I will go back through my photos and help where I can. I have ‘58’s with both solid and perforated plates, Jedi will hear a solid plate soon.