EL 34 tubes - what's best?

[AndreasG]

I tried JJ Teslas and found them good sounding in my 73 Marshall. Are there better ones out there? Svetlanas, Ruby, Sovteks, EH's...not considering NOS?

[Mr.Hanky]

Last time I talked to Greg Leevy he reccomended Siemens, they are NOS but they are stoopid cheap.
The only problem with them is that they may not handle the plate voltage that a 73 SL can dish out.

That would be a good deal if it works but I think the plate voltage on metal panel Marshals is really high. I have one, you'd think I'd have it memorized by now.

If and when I re-tube mine I will probably get the Mullards. For the amount of time I use this amp they will last me a lifetime. My 73' 100W SL is damn near the loudest thing on god's green earth.

[LaXu]

Out of the ones I've tried I've liked Svetlanas the most. Not Sovtek/Svetlana, but the "winged C" Svetlana. I think they go by SED in USA?

[Blue Strat]

Originally posted by LaXu
Out of the ones I've tried I've liked Svetlanas the most. Not Sovtek/Svetlana, but the "winged C" Svetlana. I think they go by SED in USA?

What Laxu said. They go by Svetlana Electron Devices, St Petersburg Russia. "winged C" is all you really have to remember.

[AndreasG]

"winged C".....someone states they sound more "hi-fi" with less breakup.... looking for classic Marshall sound. My Marshall is a 50-watter, used with a Hotplate and Strats, Firebirds, hardly any pedal (just an OD or Treble Booster sometimes..)

[LaXu]

The Marshall DSL50 I had actually came with Svetlanas. I don't think they're "hi-fi" really, they have a nice warm and smooth character to me and seem to work very well in a Marshall.

[Swarty]

I like JJ E34Ls. I keep trying others; EH, Winged C, Svetlana, etc... but keep going back. They just sound more robust, especially in the top end.

[Igneous]

Ill say it again...new sensor mullards are pretty cool.--Cheers-Ig

[IPlayHamers]

Originally posted by Swarty
I like JJ E34Ls. I keep trying others; EH, Winged C, Svetlana, etc... but keep going back. They just sound more robust, especially in the top end.

+1 My 72 Marshall 50 watt loves the JJ E34Ls. I haven't found a EL34 that can compete with them and this includes vintage NOS tubes.

There is none better IMHO.

IPH

[Red Planet]

I just got some Winged C Svets and both matched quads are microphonic and buxzzing like hell. Me no likey. I sent one set back and got a replacement and they still do it.

[iainmc]

another +1 on the JJ's - i just changed tubes in my matchless clubman from svetlanas to JJ's & it made a noticable diffrence on some stuff we've been recording.

/i
p.s. also they are what fred uses in /13s (i have an rsa23) & he is usually pretty right aobut this sort of stuff...

[Roccaforte Amps]

If you take a JJ EL34 and a Mullard XF2,
you'll see how the insides look identical,
same machining.
That said, I think the JJ is the best sounding
current production, but the Wing C svet
is more reliable.
Why I switched to the C. They sound good
too, but the JJ is a step better tonally.
NOS? Mullard EL34's can't be beat,
I'm stocked for life!

[Greggy]

In my Allen Class Act, I prefer Svets, Chinese el34b, and winged Cs, in that order. The Chinese tube is bright in a good way, which is important since my Allen is a little on the dark side of the tonal spectrum. The Svet is very rich in harmonics, I like it very much.

[Blue Strat]

Originally posted by Red Planet
I just got some Winged C Svets and both matched quads are microphonic and buxzzing like hell. Me no likey. I sent one set back and got a replacement and they still do it.

Interesting. No tube brand/type is immune from problems, but I haven't had this experience with over 1000 sold.

[aleclee]

I'd never say that a particular tube is "best" but my favorite EL34 is a 6CA7

...the EH version to be precise.

But my tastes don't necessarily align with yours. They often don't with most folks around here.