What tubes for a Blues Jr.

[aman74]

Posting this for a friend who needs some EL84 tubes and possibly pre-amp tubes for a Blues Jr.

I haven't kept up on all the different brandings and rebrandings in a long time. Just looking for current production, reasonably priced and easily found options. I figured there are a couple popular go-to options.

JJ's seem to get mentioned a lot. Do they make their own tubes?

Who actually makes their own tubes nowadays? Just a handful of actual companies producing them right?

Thanks

 

[VintageToneGuy]

Contact Mike at KCA NOS Tubes and tell him what you want along with budget and he will get right back with you.

http://www.kcanostubes.com/

 

[Kriso77]

I'm a big fan of Tung Sol preamp tubes combined with the JJ power tubes. If you want to be consistent with one brand JJs in Fender amps have always sounded awesome.

 

[jlagrassa]

I like all JJ tubes in the Blues Junior or in Fender amps in general, V1 the first preamp stage is a good one you can experiment with for altering the tone slightly. If you need a little more headroom a 5751 or 12AY7 is worth trying especially if you use pedals for your dirt.

 

[Blue Strat]

There are 3 factories in the world making guitar tubes.

Good economy set for that amp: JJ EL84s, Svetlana 12AX7s.

 

[aman74]

Thanks for the tips.

I also strolled upon the JJ EL84 Blues Jr. thread going currently and read through that as well, didn't see it at first. There were some mentions of the JJ's not lasting all that long and it seemed to be a more recent issue, then I saw that the thread was a bit older originally and had been bumped. Is that something that was maybe limited to a certain time period? Some folks were saying they liked the Tung Sol El84's, which were new at the time. Any more long-term opinions on those?

 

[jlagrassa]

Your best bet is to try as many tubes as you can to see what you like, which is what really counts anyway

 

[DaveKS]

Go with Blue Strat, he'll get the best rated JJ el84 for that amp he can.

 

[modernp]

I went with tungsol for power and mullards for preamp real nice balanced tone.

 

[arvee72]

Picked up a used Bjr III on CL. Was noisy, and "spiky" on upper frets, with original GT tubes.

Swapped power tubes with JJ EL84s, added punch, and lessened noise issues, but "spike" remained.

Changed V1 to a Tung Sol, HUGE difference. 80% less "spike", allowing more "guitar" to shine through.

Any recommendations for V2, V3??

 

[MrFuzzTone]

vacuum tubes

 

[Joe L]

I like all JJ tubes in the Blues Junior or in Fender amps in general, V1 the first preamp stage is a good one you can experiment with for altering the tone slightly. If you need a little more headroom a 5751 or 12AY7 is worth trying especially if you use pedals for your dirt.

JJ just came out with a 12AY7 which I just tried in my BJ. In V1 , it is a very smooth tube which typical of 12AY7 tubes provides more head room. Also typical with a 12AY7 is lower volume at the same volume setting. The pricing is about $15, the same price point of EH 12AY7 which I also use.
I also like most JJ power tubes using their 6L6 in my TRRI, 6V6 in my PRRI and BJ with the octal conversion. I find these tubes to have big round/full tone and very durable/reliable.
I do use Tung Sol in V1 and V2 of my TRRI and am very happy.

 

[jlagrassa]

JJ just came out with a 12AY7 which I just tried in my BJ. In V1 , it is a very smooth tube which typical of 12AY7 tubes provides more head room. Also typical with a 12AY7 is lower volume at the same volume setting. The pricing is about $15, the same price point of EH 12AY7 which I also use.
I also like most JJ power tubes using their 6L6 in my TRRI, 6V6 in my PRRI and BJ with the octal conversion. I find these tubes to have big round/full tone and very durable/reliable.
I do use Tung Sol in V1 and V2 of my TRRI and am very happy.

I did buy one of the JJ 12AY7 tubes to check out, although I don't own the BJ anymore I liked it in the amp as well.

 

[DaveKS]

Since this zombie thread has been awoken.

V1... Sylvania grey plate 5751
V2-3 TAD 7025wa
Power.... JJ el84