My Mullard EL34's are confusing me

[Jericho]

So I bought an OD-100 a while back. Today I was talking with a friend about tubes and such and I took at look at the tubes inside the amp and I noticed they seems to be Mullard EL34's. I'm guessing they're reissues but I've never seen reissues with a golden stamp. But then again I don't know that much about tubes.. Can anyone straighten this out for me? What type of tubes are these?

Pics here (was pretty hard to get good pics without removing the tubes):

http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/-Gemini-/?action=view&current=IMG_0113.jpg

http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/-Gemini-/?action=view&current=IMG_0098.jpg&newest=1

http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y34/-Gemini-/?action=view&current=IMG_0100.jpg&newest=1

 

[hmontgomery]

Made in Russia....reissues.

 

[Dr. Tweedbucket]

Decent tubes. I have them in an Orange and they sound great!

 

[dakotajones]

definitely reissues...more than likely the new sensor factory in st. petersburg russia

 

[HipKitty]

The new Mullards are really good tubes. They are from New Sensor.

For those considering these (or any other current production output tubes), I recommend getting them from a supplier that tests and burns them in for 24 hours and matches them.

 

[RackCrew]

They are standard current issue Mullards. Good tubes.

 

[Blue Strat]

Like a lot of New Sensor power tubes, watch out if your plate voltage is over 450V.

 

[RackCrew]

Like a lot of New Sensor power tubes, watch out if your plate voltage is over 450V.

I believe that would be true of any tube including NOS tubes.

 

[salvatruco]

love those power tubes

 

[Blue Strat]

I believe that would be true of any tube including NOS tubes.

Sorry, but that's just not true of types that are supposed to handle up to 500V (6L6GCs, EL34s, etc). This is from a person who has sold over 100,000 tubes of every description.

 

[RackCrew]

Sorry, but that's just not true of types that are supposed to handle up to 500V

Sorry, but not all NOS tubes handle that either. If you want to continue bashing all new production tubes go ahead, I understand your are a seller of NOS tubes. But at least stop spreading disinformation that NOS tubes are magic and no new tube can do what NOS tubes can do. That's just not correct.

 

[Blue Strat]

Sorry, but not all NOS tubes handle that either.

All the NOS Tubes SPEC'd for over 450V do handle over 450V. Not true of ALL new production tubes.

If you want to continue bashing all new production tubes go ahead, I understand your are a seller of NOS tubes.

This thread isn't about ALL new production tubes. I sell almost as many new production as NOS tubes. So please read my posts and stop trying to put words in my mouth.

But at least stop spreading disinformation that NOS tubes are magic and no new tube can do what NOS tubes can do. That's just not correct.

I've never said that. Again, read my posts before getting all excited. l

One undisputed fact is that all NOS tubes (on average) last a lot longer than new production tubes.

Remember, I've sold over 100,000 tubes...new and NOS. Experience counts.

 

[AmplifiedParts]

definitely reissues...more than likely the new sensor factory in st. petersburg russia

The New Sensor factory is in Saratov, Russia. The St. Petersburg factory is a completely different company which makes the Winged-C brand tubes.

 

[Blue Strat]

The New Sensor factory is in Saratov, Russia. The St. Petersburg factory is a completely different company which makes the Winged-C brand tubes.

Thanks for catching that. There's already too much misinformation out there.

 

[RackCrew]

One undisputed fact is that all NOS tubes (on average) last a lot longer than new production tubes.

So I guess your saying the nonaverage ones don't last any longer.

Remember, I've sold over 100,000 tubes...new and NOS. Experience counts.

And I've built many custom amp rigs and provide service for many of the major artist in the world and I'm looking at my wall of gold and platinum albums and my tour and album credits and I've sold a few tubes myself. Funny I don't see Nugent, Aeorsmith, Santana, Tom Petty, Robin Trower, The Clash, The Who, VH and few dozen others on your resume. So I guess I dont have any real world experience with amps and tubes there.

Wow I guess yours is bigger than mine.

 

[Blue Strat]

So I guess your saying the nonaverage ones don't last any longer.

Yes, 1 or 2% of NOS tubes don't last as long as average (the ones that tested good) new production tubes as the same type. 5 to 10% of new production tubes don't last as long as average new production tubes. The other 98% of NOS tubes last 4 to 5 times longer than average/good new production tubes.

You asked.

Wow I guess yours is bigger than mine.

If you'd like to have a pissing contest I recommend taking it private. You just look silly doing this in public. I was talking about experience with a wide range, and large quantity of tubes. Is there something you don't like about that?

I'll give you the last word. I have work to do.

 

[RackCrew]

Sure let's take it private.

Your the guy that sells new tubes than can't help but basing them in many of your posts.

was talking about experience with a wide range, and large quantity of tubes. Is there something you don't like about that?

I just didn't know you were the only guy with the corner on experience. McDonalds 2 Billion sold. I guess I should take their word on what good food is.

Enough already! Geeezzzeeee

 

[shallbe]

Whew!

Anyway, good to hear these are good el34's. My question is whether they can handle what a Matchless amp throws at them. So far, the JJel34's and el34L's have been great for me over the last 4 years. Zero failure.

Has anyone compared the two?

FWIW, I don't use NOS output tubes, just current production and have been happy.

However, NOS preamp tubes are the only way to go, IMO. Great, rich sound and amazing life. No current tubes sound close to NOS preamp tubes, IMO. They are louder, richer, more dynamic, etc. Love the Mullards, Teles, Amperex, RCA and GE preamp tubes. I've bought some from KCA with great success.

 

[dakotajones]

Thanks for catching that. There's already too much misinformation out there.

well i got part of it right. =P. never claimed to be the expert. i knew it was new sensor...couldn't remember which location that factory was.

here's a question some of you may know...i'm too lazy right now to look it up. whatever happened to the blackburn factory or the west german factory where the good stuff was made - mullard, telefunken...why can't someone resurrect these old factories with the original equipment, the original specs...make tubes like they used to...the way they should be...longer lasting, more consistent.

 

[dakotajones]

i actually use a quad of Mullard reissue EL84's in my Matchless 30...sound great. Which Matchless uses the EL34's?