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#1
07-06-2007, 08:26 AM
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Magic of EL84 Output Tubes
What's so special about EL84 output tubes? What sets them apart tonewise? How would you describe their sound?
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#3
07-06-2007, 08:34 AM
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Quote:
__________________
Mike K KCA NOS & NEW Production Tubes & Amp Repair/Modifications The World's largest selection of Guitar Amp Tubes http://www.kcanostubes.com
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#5
07-06-2007, 10:17 AM
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Nice top end, smooth mids, and ample bottom. They compress and overdrive so very well without becoming brittle. You'd be hard pressed to find any amp using EL84s that sucks. I have yet to play a EL84 amp and not like it. There are so many amps out there that use them because its easy to build a circuit around them. And they are cheap and readily available.
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#7
07-06-2007, 10:31 AM
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to me, they work well with single coils (well, I don't play HBs so much) - the mids fatten up scs well, but they still retain top end clarity
I do think the bottom end can vary with the amp -- some say EL 84s have weak bottom end, but the '65 London ( and other amps) proved that wrong. another point is that there's a lot of agreement that the JJ is a good current production EL 84, while there seems to be more debate regarding other current production tubes
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Proud fan of USACG, Seymour Duncan, Peter Florance, and old Fender Amps. "music heals"
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#9
07-06-2007, 10:46 AM
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Chime, yes. But its more than that, IMO.
The cool thing about EL84s IMO is how they start to shed the chime and get all warm and smooth as you transition into overdrive. Listen to Brian May's lead tones -- a lot less chimey and a lot more flutey, IMO. And I like how you can set the chime/warmth balance by riding the volume. Great stuff! D7
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http://www.softcloudcove.com/dumeril7
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#10
07-06-2007, 11:08 AM
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In addition to sweet, chiming cleans, EL84/6BQ5 valves become awesome little flamethrowers {in a good way!} when cranked.
Through a good output transformer and speaker, I find no lack of fullness at all. I think there's a lot of psychology going on with regard to how a tube or guitar looks and how it's sound is perceived. For example, if a guitar has a light-colored maple neck, it is likely to be perceived as being 'bright' sounding whereas all-rosewood necks are often described as 'dark.' An amp with 6SL7GT valves in the preamp sockets will often be praised for it's 'fat' sound. In my experience, these physical properties have little correlation with how a guitar or amp sounds; Don't be fooled by appearances! Cheers, -Dana
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#11
07-06-2007, 11:14 AM
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I would agree on some fronts . . .but the /13 ERT33 is a huge sounding fat amp. Huge bottom end.
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#13
07-06-2007, 11:30 AM
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I gigged with a Peavey Classic 50 tweed head for a year. It sucked. The cleans were dark, and the dirt was mushy. That's the only EL84 amp I've ever owned and I've been down on those tubes since. But I guess I need to get a good example of an EL84 amp. BTW... I hear people recommend Peavey Classic and Fender Hot Rod Deville amps here a lot. I've owned both and hated them. Major suckage to my ears. So I guess it proves that tone is in the ear of the beholder...
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#14
07-06-2007, 02:01 PM
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Anyway, clean or dirty, the el84 is my favorite allround powertube.
__________________
LesPaul or Esquire Pedals Dr Z Z28
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#15
07-06-2007, 02:15 PM
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I think the most overlooked key to owning an EL84 based amp are the speakers and the cabinet. What works great for EL34 amps doesn't necessarily sound great with an EL84.
I like EL84 amps running 2x12's (celestion blues) in an open back cabinet and you have tone to the friggin bone. If you want to fatten the tone up, run a 4x12 cab with pairs of vintage 30's and greenbacks. I think EL84's are the telecasters of amps. You are either a tele player or you aren't. You either dig el84's or you don't.
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