We present Tip Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (TERS) results with side illumination of a scanning tunneling microscope ( STM) Au tip on thin multi wall carbon nanotubes deposited on Au(111) with a similar to 75 nm lateral resolution. The spectral features observed in the enhanced near-field regime are discussed considering also the presence of defects in the tube(s) structure and/or trace amounts of amorphous carbon contaminations. (C) 2009 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.