Current EL34's

[muddy]

sorry, but i'm runnin' out the door, so no time searchy. who's making the best el34's these days? how are any of the ri mullards?


ml

[jbltwin1]

Haven't tried the mullard RI's but I PERSONALLY only get good service out of JJ E34L's. I put them in Music Man amps all the time and they last and sound pretty good. Likewise, the REAL Svetlana's (now called Winged C) are excellent too. That's the only two I'd trust at the moment.

[jbltwin1]

By the way, BEST is subjective. What SEEMS to work dosn't seem to work elsewhere-I don't know why. Might be shipping but I still stick with it.

[Blue Strat]

For reliability the SEDs have the best and longest track record. The Groove Tubes EL34Ms (Mullard Reissues) are excellent over their relatively short track record. Good tone with both of these.

[BLC]

I tried the new JJ KT77s and Like them in AC100 & AC50 type amps.

[muddy]

actually jb, what i meant to say was decent, & not best, but i was in too much of a hurry to change it. funny, mike, the sed's were in a very shortlist of valves i was curious about. the others were the gt mull ri's, & both jj's (34's & 77's). so the new sensor's are a bust?

DOH! for some reason, i thought my demeter tga-2 had ehx el34's (i JUST got the amp last friday), but on 2nd look, i see that they're actually a set of ehx 6L6he's! the prob i have with these toobs is that they are WAY too compressed when driven, whether it's the pre or a pedal. there's almost no knock (attack) on the front end, kinda like a super-saturated fuzz. i don't like it! so let's hear you're collective recommendations in a current 6L6, as well. i'm not sure how easy it is to set the amp up for el34's as of yet. thanx guys.


ml

[TweeDLX]

I use Svetlana's (Winged "C") with good results, but I've also heard that the new Tung-Sols are good, too. If your amp has lower voltage the Tung-Sol 5881's are supposed to be excellent. HTH

Mike

[JimmyR]

I've always sworn by SED 6L6s but recently I've been swearing AT them! I have tried JJs but for some reason they don't do it for me. So lately I've been using JJ KT77s in my EL34 amps and starting to use JJ KT66s in some 6L6 amps I think can handle them. The JJ KT66s sure sound good in my homebrew lo-po Tweed Twin. And the KT77s are so good I doubt I'll buy El34s again!

BTW I tried some "Mullard" EL34s - the New Sensor ones - and while they sounded good enough they lasted all of two weeks.

[sampleinajar]

Winged-C's for me. I ma interested in hearing the JJ KT77s at some point though. The EH's are OK, but the winged C's just seem more balanced and clearer to me.

[Monroe]

Out of all the new production I've tried:
-St. Petersberg Svetlana, (now SED "winged C")
-JJ EL34L
-New Sensor Mullard Reissues
are my favorites, in that order.
I still want to try some 77's, and also the new Tung-Sol

NOS Siemens are really nice, and still affordable, too.

[HipKitty]

To throw our hat of opinion into the ring, we went through batches of every current (new) production EL34's for our production amps. Not only did we drop them into our amp, but tried them out in our other shop amps and El34 based amps in for servicing. We came away loving a couple and settled on one "brand" for our amps. Not only were we looking for what sounded great in our amp, but sounded great in the others as well..along with withstanding abuse.
I will add that we have always listened to our customer's tube wants and needs and really never swayed anyone one way or another...though we would let our customers judge for themselves with what we carried in our stock.

With that being said, we loved the Mullards, SED's and the TAD's. We thought that the TAD's were a better "fit" in our amps for the fact that we could get them factory matched (coming in consistently at no more than 1ma of difference) at no additional cost (or time involvement for us to match groups of tubes), they sounded great across the board and really took the abuse we threw at them.

The Mullards took a close second with the SED's behind them.

As we have learned in the past, the EH's just didn't make the cut...though they sounded best in a TSL or DSL Marshall, they weren't consistent enough with all of the amps.

The JJ's seemed to fit a niche sound and weren't versatile enough in tone for some of our clients....we are of the opinion that you either love or hate these (and we do love their 6V6's!).

We had heard through the grapevine sometime last year that the TAD's were Ruby's relabeled (like Mesa), but to everyone's ears here, that didn't hold up...but who knows....they do look an awfull alike, but that doesn't speak for the composition of the internal parts and glass thickness...just not sure and would love to get the "real" scoop......

[AintNoEddie]

I'm searching for replacement EL34 currently, my experience so far:

I've had good luck with the "big bottle" EL34 (EL34B-STR, sold by Ruby for example) as well as the EH EL34/6CA7. My Marshall is running a pretty high plate voltage, and they've been holding up fine!

SED =C= EL34: Solid, not too exciting in my ears
Svetlana ("S") EL34: Went microphonic pretty soon, garbage.

Anyone has tried the Tung Sol EL34 Reissue? Is that an "independant" EL34 or just another Russian New Sensor relabled one?

Current production Ei EL34 anyone?

[Blue Strat]

Anyone has tried the Tung Sol EL34 Reissue? Is that an "independant" EL34 or just another Russian New Sensor relabled one?



Anything NEW with a Tung Sol label is by New Sensor (Sovtek, EH, Mullard Reissue, Gold Lion, etc) and Russian.

Funny that there would be a Tung Sol Reissue EL34 when the REAL Tung Sol company never made EL34s. :D

[jimkelly]

I like the JJ E34L's the best. I also built an EL34 "Champ" around a Winged-C (Svetlana) and that sounds pretty good, but the tube seems a bit gassy.

[Blue Strat]

I like the JJ E34L's the best. I also built an EL34 "Champ" around a Winged-C (Svetlana) and that sounds pretty good, but the tube seems a bit gassy.

How do you ID a "gassy" tube?

[jimkelly]

How do you ID a "gassy" tube?

Blue corona in the space between the grids and plate, rather than corona on the inner surface of the plate caused by impurities.

[mike80]

I like the JJ E34L's the best. I also built an EL34 "Champ" around a Winged-C (Svetlana) and that sounds pretty good, but the tube seems a bit gassy.


I have to agree with the JJ E34L. That is the only tube I will use in my Dual Recto.

I've had good tones with others, but the JJs give me that tone that I'm after.

[sickboy79]

I've tried quite a few of the new production EL34s, and have settled on a few that I really like.

I'm in the minority here but, my personal fav are the EHs. I've had good reliability with them, and I prefer their tone the best. I like their vintage quality tone and overdrive characteristics the best of the new stuff. Winged C/SEDs are a very close second.

I've recently tried the GT EL34Ms as well. I've only got about 20 hours on them so far but, I do like their tone and overdrive characteristics.

JJ E34Ls don't really do it for me - good tube but, too much bottom and headroom for my tastes. They sound a bit "hard" when overdriven. I much prefer their standard EL34 for the E34L - but, again - it's a bit bottom heavy for my tastes.

The Chinese made EL34B-STR is decent as well. I've only tried 2 sets of them, and they sounded good. But, I still prefer the breakup of the EH and SEDs better. I also thought this one was a bit bottom heavy with a sort of grainy top end when pushed. (seems to be I don't care for the "big bottle" EL34s, huh?)

There are lots of good choices out there - none are right or wrong for tone - just different. It all depends on what your ears like.

[Blue Strat]

How do you ID a "gassy" tube?

Blue corona in the space between the grids and plate, rather than corona on the inner surface of the plate caused by impurities.
http://www.kcanostubes.com/content/newsletter_details.asp?ArticleID=10

[JamesHealey]

I think JJ tubes are a little on the Dark side and make Marshall voiced amps a little woofy and undefined at stage volumes.

Tungsol 12AX7 & Winged =C= EL34's
Are the best tone for me.

[jimkelly]

Thanks for the link, Blue Strat.

[Ben C.]

NOS Siemens are really nice, and still affordable, too.
Amen to that!! I just threw some in my Peters Halo last week and they sound fantastic, esp. compared to the JJ E34L's that were in there previously. More clarity, less upper-mid punch (was a bit much w/ the JJ's), tighter and simply better sounding low end, and different guitars sound even more different than one another as their nuances are more clearly presented.

I can't believe you can still find a matched quad of these for "only" $150. I always figured you could do 'good enough' with new production, but I took the leap and really dig these NOS Siemens EL34's...

-Ben

[jimkelly]

Blue Glow -- what causes it?

There are TWO causes for this glow in audio power tubes; one of them is normal and harmless, the other occurs only in a bad audio tube.

Most Svetlana glass power tubes show FLUORESCENCE GLOW. This is a very deep blue color. It can appear wherever the electrons from the cathode can strike a solid object. It is caused by minor impurities, such as cobalt, in the object. The fast-moving electrons strike the impurity molecules, excite them, and produce photons of light of a characteristic color. This is usually observed on the interior of the plate, on the surface of the mica spacers, or on the inside of the glass envelope. THIS GLOW IS HARMLESS. It is normal and does not indicate a tube failure. Enjoy it. Many people feel it improves the appearance of the tube while in operation.

Occasionally a tube will develop a small leak. When air gets into the tube, AND when the high plate voltage is applied, the air molecules can ionize. The glow of ionized air is quite different from the fluorescence glow above--ionized air is a strong purple color, almost pink. This color usually appears INSIDE the plate of the tube (though not always). It does not cling to surfaces, like fluorescence, but appears in the spaces BETWEEN elements. A tube showing this glow should be replaced right away, since the gas can cause the plate current to run away and (possibly) damage the amplifier.

the above from www.vacuumtubes.net (http://www.vacuumtubes.net/index.html) & Svetlana

The second case is what I am referring to.

[Groovey Records]

MIKE


Thanks for the interesting read FYI this link is dead at the bottom of your reference

Of course, you might have a serious situation if the blue glow looks like this.

©1996-1999 Larry Barras, all rights reserved. May not be reproduced without permission.

Last Modified: 12/31/1999

[Blue Strat]

MIKE


Thanks for the interesting read FYI this link is dead at the bottom of your reference

Of course, you might have a serious situation if the blue glow looks like this.

©1996-1999 Larry Barras, all rights reserved. May not be reproduced without permission.

Last Modified: 12/31/1999

Oh well, I don't control all the links.

[Groovey Records]

Oh well, I don't control all the links.

Woops sorry Mike I thought this was your WebSite Your WebPage Your Business.

http://www.kcanostubes.com/content/n...p?ArticleID=10

[Blue Strat]

Woops sorry Mike I thought this was your WebSite Your WebPage Your Business.

http://www.kcanostubes.com/content/n...p?ArticleID=10

That particular link doesn't belong to me. Any more sarcastic statements you'd like me to address? :D

[JamesPeters]

...esp. compared to the JJ E34L's that were in there previously. More clarity, less upper-mid punch (was a bit much w/ the JJ's), tighter and simply better sounding low end, and different guitars sound even more different than one another as their nuances are more clearly presented.


I wonder if you'd also like JJ KT77. What you describe sounds like it could be the JJ KT77, from what I've experienced.

[Ben C.]

I wonder if you'd also like JJ KT77. What you describe sounds like it could be the JJ KT77, from what I've experienced.
NICE to hear from you James! Hope things are well with you! I'm still in love with my Halo... as is everyone else who hears it. Thank you again.

Funny you should mention the JJ KT77 - I was looking at them, but decided to give another EL34 type a shot before I tried those out. Got lucky with the Siemens for sure! But I'll definitely pick up a pair of the KT77's from Bob @ Eurotubes soon and give them a shot. With your amp it only takes me a few minutes to install and rebias ;)

-Ben

[JamesPeters]

NICE to hear from you James! Hope things are well with you! I'm still in love with my Halo... as is everyone else who hears it. Thank you again.

Funny you should mention the JJ KT77 - I was looking at them, but decided to give another EL34 type a shot before I tried those out. Got lucky with the Siemens for sure! But I'll definitely pick up a pair of the KT77's from Bob @ Eurotubes soon and give them a shot. With your amp it only takes me a few minutes to install and rebias ;)

-Ben

You're welcome! I'm very glad you like the amp. I'm doing well, thanks.

The JJ KT77 won't sound quite like Siemens EL34 but in their own way they might provide the sonic qualities you're after. I used to include them with my amps, but I found they were too "polarizing" of a tube...not quite "EL34 enough" for some and not quite "6L6 enough" for others. Nowadays I'm actually including EH EL34 with my amps, since they seem to be appreciated by everyone for a "normal EL34 sound".

[Ben C.]

You're welcome! I'm very glad you like the amp. I'm doing well, thanks.

The JJ KT77 won't sound quite like Siemens EL34 but in their own way they might provide the sonic qualities you're after. I used to include them with my amps, but I found they were too "polarizing" of a tube...not quite "EL34 enough" for some and not quite "6L6 enough" for others. Nowadays I'm actually including EH EL34 with my amps, since they seem to be appreciated by everyone for a "normal EL34 sound".
Thanks for the info James - I've tried a few different types and brands in the Halo, but not the KT77's. Might as well - never know 'till you try. Thanks again!

[ski_fast]

I just installed a set of Groove Tube EL34m in my Emplexador. Running three NOS world globe Amperex 7025's in the preamp. The tech said this setup's tone was of very impressive quality. Running an old Tung Sol 12AX7 in the first position gave it a tad more clarity and chime so will also use that one.

[Blue Strat]

I just bought the new Groove Tube EL34m and a set of NOS Siemens to test out next week.

These are the ones I would recommend for the tone you're after.

[jzucker]

I've had good luck with the JJ's. I think they sound great and haven't had any problems with reliability so far though one preamp tube arrived DOA but that's out of about 35 tubes so far. The price is cheap enough that you can buy a few pairs and have some for backup.

[cheesey]

i currently have ARS el 34 in my bogner shiva.
picked up a pair of gt el 34m a while ago for back ups.
where should the Gt be biased in 25-30 ma?
i know bogner recommend svetlanas .

[StudioRat320]

Would a set of KT77's benefit an amp like the Bogner Ecstasy or Shiva? I'm thinking these tubes would improve the clean channel while still maintaining the punch and saturation in the dirt channels.

What gives?

[Doug's Tubes]

i currently have ARS el 34 in my bogner shiva.
picked up a pair of gt el 34m a while ago for back ups.
where should the Gt be biased in 25-30 ma?
i know bogner recommend svetlanas .

Chinese EL34's wont last long in the Bogner. JJ's and St Petersburg winged =C='s are about the only ones that will take the plate voltage.

[blueblazes]

I like the sound of JJ EL34's but have had a 50% failure rate out the box lately. I hear that Eurotubes burns theirs in for a bit to weed out bad ones so I may try ordering from them in the future. Would like to try the E34L too.

[Brewmaster]

I like the sound of JJ EL34's but have had a 50% failure rate out the box lately. I hear that Eurotubes burns theirs in for a bit to weed out bad ones so I may try ordering from them in the future. Would like to try the E34L too.

I'm pretty sure Doug and Mike burn theirs in as well. I have never hesitated to order from either of them and never had any issues. :BEER

[SoCalSteve]

What's also interesting is how I've found that I prefer one tube over another depending on speaker used.

With an Emi Wizard I preferred a KT77's robustness, but with a Greenback type speaker I prefer an EL34 for more clarity over the KT77.