Best El34s to compliment my Rivera Jake

[Jacob Van Noy]

Hey guys,

I just got an almost perfect condition (one little nick in the tolex) Rivera Jake Studio Combo. I love it but I would like to retube it since the tubes in it are probably 7 or 8 years old. What I'm looking for is a high headroom El34 that really shines with the Fender channel and will bring out the cleans while also keeping the Marshall channel sounding fat. I've heard several tubes mentioned around here and it seems the Winged C EL34s and the JJ EL34L are favored as well as many others. I'm just wondering what you guys think and your experiences, I'm really more of a clean player so that's the more important part in this quest but I have to be able to use that beautiful drive channel. Thanks guys.

Jacob

PS--if anyone wants to mention preamp tubes that sound great in Riveras I'd love to hear what you have to say. I was thinking about getting some Tung Sol RI 12ax7s, maybe a mullard 12at7 for the phase inverter, etc..let me know.

[Blueser]

JJEL34L's will give you the bigger headroom that you are looking for. I had them in a Komet 60 for a while, and they sounded huge.

With regard to preamp tubes, for new production, I like both the Electro Harmonix 12AX7 and the Tung Sol 12AX7, the former having a touch more gain based on my experience in a Soldano SLO.

For NOS preamp tubes, I prefer Mullard Shield Logo 12AX7's and Telefunken Ribbed Plate 12AX7's. Both have beautiful complex harmonics on the top end, with the Mullards having a touch more upper sheen. In the Jake, I would probably go with the Mullards, as the gain channel was a touch darker. In a brighter amp I would go for the Telefunkens.

Hope that helps.

B

[blong]

Jacob,
You've already gotten some good advice, but find a member of this forum by the name "rivertoasters". He is an avid collector of Rivera's, has owned numerous models, and knows them very well. I have a Rake, the head version of the Jake model. I pay attention to what rivertoasters says, as well as look for Richard Scobro's Rivera Page on google. He's another Rivera expert and has tons of advice on his website.

Finally, why not contact Paul Rivera, or Paul Jr., yourself. Go to Rivera.com and look up their number or email them. I have spoken to Jr. on the phone a couple of times and they are very helpful and generous with their time. They could probably recommend the tubes you looking for and send them to you.

I hope this helps,

Bob

[Blueser]

Originally Posted by blong

Jacob,
You've already gotten some good advice, but find a member of this forum by the name "rivertoasters". He is an avid collector of Rivera's, has owned numerous models, and knows them very well. I have a Rake, the head version of the Jake model. I pay attention to what rivertoasters says, as well as look for Richard Scobro's Rivera Page on google. He's another Rivera expert and has tons of advice on his website.

Finally, why not contact Paul Rivera, or Paul Jr., yourself. Go to Rivera.com and look up their number or email them. I have spoken to Jr. on the phone a couple of times and they are very helpful and generous with their time. They could probably recommend the tubes you looking for and send them to you.

I hope this helps,

Bob

I agree with your advice. I forgot to mention that I owned a Jake for a few months, so I am not without experience in my recommendation as well.

[Jacob Van Noy]

Thanks for the help guys. I think I want to try out the JJ El34Ls. Either way I know I'm gonna have fun with this amp.

Jacob

[Jacob Van Noy]

Tried 6L6s in it and even without adjusting the bias I loved the sound. Even thought the marshall side sounded great! I'm gonna open up the chasis, can someone describe to me where the bias pot and jacks are? Should I bias the 6L6 tubes to around .35 mA? That's what I bias 6L6s at in other amps, just making sure that's okay in a Rivera.

Thanks, Jacob

[bbgie1223]

Hey Jacob,
Check this:
http://scobro.150m.com/Rivera/

Andy

[Jacob Van Noy]

Thanks for the link. I've already checked that out though and the link to Biasing your Rivera doesn't work anymore. Does anybody have any info on biasing a Rivera--especially how 6L6s should be biased in a Rivera that normally takes El34s? Riverastoasters are you out there? Thanks guys.

Jacob

[Jacob Van Noy]

Any help?

Jacob

[Scott Peterson]

Longtime past owner/still huge fan of the Rake.

Best tube going in there is some NOS Siemens. Find them. Buy them. You'll thank me later.

[rockon1]

Originally Posted by Jacob Van Noy

Tried 6L6s in it and even without adjusting the bias I loved the sound. Even thought the marshall side sounded great! I'm gonna open up the chasis, can someone describe to me where the bias pot and jacks are? Should I bias the 6L6 tubes to around .35 mA? That's what I bias 6L6s at in other amps, just making sure that's okay in a Rivera.

Thanks, Jacob

No expert but if that amp is biased for EL34's then 6L6's will be running WAY too hot by just plugging them in! I wouldnt do it for long or you will smoke them.You may have to change a resistor to get it biased cool enough for 6L6's. Bob

[02Singlecut]

Originally Posted by Scott Peterson

Longtime past owner/still huge fan of the Rake.

Best tube going in there is some NOS Siemens. Find them. Buy them. You'll thank me later.

+100........ I have a set from my K-55 Knucklehead...... I have replaced them with GTE34LS........but I use the Siemens sparingly and was TOLD not to let them go! ....They are WAY WAY KILLER!!!! Mesa has a (I believe) Siemens out. Call and talk to Lyle @ http://www.asharpmusicco.com/ He was telling me about the Mesa tubes. They are a GREAT resource for Rivera Amps as they've had a relationship with Paul and Paul Jr. for a long time! If you go to Rivera's website you will see Matt from A# doing a GREAT demo of their amps.......The Venus 6 vid is done and will be up shortly!!!!

[jcollins]

I prefer JJEL34 and Tungsol 12ax7 in my M60.

Mullard 12ax7's in V1 and V2 will give killer marshall
crunch.

[jamesrsmith]

how bout the new groove tube el34sm's? i have apair and sound great in an allen brown sugar,, these are the copies of the mullard,., work great for me,, i use jj's and put these in sometimes..

[02Singlecut]

Originally Posted by Jacob Van Noy

Thanks for the link. I've already checked that out though and the link to Biasing your Rivera doesn't work anymore. Does anybody have any info on biasing a Rivera--especially how 6L6s should be biased in a Rivera that normally takes El34s? Riverastoasters are you out there? Thanks guys.

Jacob

Call Paul or Paul Jr. they will walk you thru it. Lyle, Matt and Tony @ http://www.asharpmusicco.com/ are a wealth of Rivera knowlege also. I believe the bias info is hanging on their wall !!