Anyone use these tubes?

[FrankenFretter***]

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...bes?sku=219159

It's for my Bogner Alchemist.

Somebody can correct me if I'm wrong, but Groove Tubes aren't that special. Talk to the guys at EuroTubes. They're really great guys, and super helpful. You're probably aware of them, but if you haven't done business with them, you should give them a try. I know there are more than a couple folks here who can back me up on that.

[mapka]

Somebody can correct me if I'm wrong, but Groove Tubes aren't that special.

I think that is true. I know at one time they were the tubes to have, but now I remember someone telling me that they saw some Groove Tubes and they were just restickered Soviet Tubes

Here is another good place for tubes http://thetubestore.com/

[LeadedEL84]

Groovetubes are relabled Sovtek tubes. I am not a big fan of Groove tubes or Sovtek tubes in general. However Sovteks are made in the old Reflektor plant that is now New Sensor. The quality of New Sensor tubes has improved greatly over the last decade. While Groovetubes might not be the best choice in most amps for the best sound or most character,they are very dependable. I've never used gold pin tubes but they are supposed to be the top of the line.
Before you guys go writing off Russian tubes realize that they are making some of the best tubes on the current market. New Sensor is making some of the top brands like Svetlana,Tung Sol,Electro Harmonix,Genelex/Gold Lion,and Mullard. New Sensor is an American owned company that took over the Reflektor plant in Saratov Russia.
My current choice in tubes are Tung Sol 12ax7s in the preamp and Electro Harmonix EL84s in the power amp. They are the best all around tubes I have found for sound vs price ratio. Durability factors in too since my 30w combo punishes tubes pretty good through heat and vibration. I don't feel I need to spring for gold pin tubes. I'm getting the sound I want and they seem to last me. These choices suit my situation for what amp I have(Crate USA V-series 3112),my tone tastes,and my budget.
As you know,Kiteman,different amps sometimes prefer different tube configurations. Your Bogner liked the stock tubes better than the others you tried (according to your post a few days ago). What were they? Groove Tubes? If so the gold pin,Groove tubes might be the ticket for you. From my understanding the gold pin tubes are just upgraded versions of the regular design. They are supposed to offer more durability. The gold pins are supposed to resist oxidation better.
I have a friend who has a nice little vintage amp collection. Fenders and Marshalls. He likes to use NOS tubes in those. He keeps s pretty good stock of his favorite NOS tubes on hand. When it comes to his modern Marshall he uses the new Tung Sols in the preamp and Gold Lions in the power section. He swears my them and will not use anything else. I can attest to his good tone with these tubes in his Marshall. He gigs often and pushes his amp. He replaces tubes about once a year in that amp which he plays for about 80% of his gigs.
If it were me I would look at the Gold Lion tubes if I wanted to upgrade to gold pin power tubes. Especially since the price of the gold pin Groovetubes is in the same ballpark as the Gold Lions. But that is me with my EL84 amp. I'm not sure if your Bogner is an EL84 or 6L6 power tube. You really can't know what your Bogner prefers without some testing.
I would have trouble paying that price for the gold pin groove tubes but that is my bias that comes from my experience with my amps. Having never used gold pin tubes I am a little skeptical about the actual benifit vs. price ratio.