swiveltung
Full Member
tracking number 770638390642
Posts: 219
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Post by swiveltung on May 13, 2013 9:47:02 GMT -7
I've been using JJ El84's in my ghia and havent burned one up yet. (1yr) I think I'm pushing my luck at this point and want to get a set . Is there any consensus on what to buy.... and in what way do your favorites sound "better"?
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Post by eggman on Sept 15, 2013 14:12:05 GMT -7
Howdy,
I cannot attest to "better", but JJ's reputation isn't what it used to be. I'm sticking with Sovtek for now (6BQ5s) for my Carmen Ghia, as they're cheap and reasonably reliable. Aside from price, Sovtek provides one with little to brag about.
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Post by zpilot on Sept 15, 2013 14:35:10 GMT -7
My MAZ 38 that I bought in 2002 came with Sovtek power tubes and they lasted a long time (for EL84's). I've installed them in several customer's amps and although they are nothing spectacular they do the job. I remember an ad I once saw in a magazine for Peavey power amps regarding power ratings vs reliability. It stated "When your amp is not working the power rating is zero".
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Post by hymns on Sept 15, 2013 17:55:36 GMT -7
I bought a quad of nos Siemans E84L's for $100. I've had s et in my Maz18 for over 8 months and they sound great. I swap playing amps around and that saves on tubes. I have about 5-6 sets of EL84 tubes so I'm not hurting for those at the moment. The Siemans are the one I've liked right now. I have some older EI's I like. I haven't used any new production tubes since I changed the original out. They are here somewhere I think.
hymns
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Post by bootlegger1929 on Sept 17, 2013 18:13:08 GMT -7
Electro harmonix have been my go to for years now in my maz jr. Like em more than the JJs and sovteks and the price is nice. Tried some others including the Mullard new productions and those were just too muddy for me. However pre amp tubes keep goin out on me. Kinda lame.
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Post by BritInvasion on Sept 17, 2013 18:31:01 GMT -7
I've had good luck with TAD EL84-STR's , and I like the way they took the harshness off the top end in my MAZ18. I get mine matched from KCA NOS , and I get them in the 3-5 GT rating he offers FWIW. I'm going to give E-H a try , I keep hearing good things about them and would like to have another way to go if / when TAD's quality slips.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2013 18:48:46 GMT -7
I currently have JJ's in my amp, but I'm going to try something new next time. I agree with the durability not being what it used to be. I'd contact Mike at KCA NOS and tell him what you're trying to achieve. He should be able to help you out.
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Post by bootlegger1929 on Sept 20, 2013 16:35:59 GMT -7
The last set of JJs didn't sound bad but were driving me crazy. Lots of crackles and hums that I thought were preamp tubes and kept switching them out. Then I put in a new set of EH EL84s and BOOM all better and the sound of the amp is better too.
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Post by simpleton on Sept 21, 2013 19:09:04 GMT -7
I thought the last time i was looking into this question the tube guru MYLES said JJ's were good for EL84's so I hadn't thought much about a different choice, I bought my Ghia over a year ago and never changed any of the tubes ... JJ's still running fine...they DO rattle but I turn up loud enough to not be bothered by that.
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Post by mickey on Sept 22, 2013 14:47:40 GMT -7
I've stuck with JJ's since I bought my Maz 38 severall years ago, despite the reliability problems some have experienced. That's what came in my Maz and Ghia, and I don't have any reason to change. I get them from Hot Rox UK, a reliable dealer who selects and burns them in, and I've had no problems apart from some filament rattle from one of the EL84's in the Ghia, but a set of tube dampers sorted that one out. JJ's sound good to me, and I change them after about 150 - 200 hours to be on the safe side. Job done!
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Post by Rik on Sept 24, 2013 10:40:32 GMT -7
When the Doc switched to EH, I followed. He seems to know what he's doing in my book! Also they sound really nice to my ears. Tried the TAD's and they went it about 15 minutes (combo) have never tried the Mullards but hear good things there.
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Post by edoetsch on Sept 24, 2013 13:14:24 GMT -7
Howdy, I cannot attest to "better", but JJ's reputation isn't what it used to be. I'm sticking with Sovtek for now (6BQ5s) for my Carmen Ghia, as they're cheap and reasonably reliable. Aside from price, Sovtek provides one with little to brag about. When were JJ's what they used to be? Is that across their whole line or just the EL84's?
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Post by deadstring on Sept 27, 2013 10:36:46 GMT -7
A quart of TAD EL84s crapped out on me, ordered some JJs from www.karltone.co.uk and I'm back in business with my maz18. If your vendor selects and burns them in I think you are on safe(r) ground. Probaly will try some EH's at some stage.
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Post by greenblues58 on Sept 27, 2013 13:56:58 GMT -7
Recently put a pair of EH in my Maz liking them so far just a tad brighter than JJ.
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Post by Hohn on Sept 27, 2013 16:44:50 GMT -7
I've been ok with JJs, but haven't really shopped around.
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Post by eggman on Sept 28, 2013 17:12:41 GMT -7
Howdy, I cannot attest to "better", but JJ's reputation isn't what it used to be. I'm sticking with Sovtek for now (6BQ5s) for my Carmen Ghia, as they're cheap and reasonably reliable. Aside from price, Sovtek provides one with little to brag about. When were JJ's what they used to be? Is that across their whole line or just the EL84's? Edoetsch, This comes from Myles, our resident tone Guru. I believe even Mr. Zaite himself has posted about the decline of JJ tubes, although I'd have to hunt for it. Plain Jane Sovteks for me, barring some windfall funds for NOS. You've got a Route 66, huh? I'll be it's more fun than Peanut M&Ms!
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Post by thatstatuemoved on Sept 30, 2013 11:13:01 GMT -7
I have used JJ's in all my Dr Z's and have found them to be a good reliable tube. I have not had one crap out on me yet, but I change my tubes about every 6 months. I think if you get tubes from a reliable vendor, you will have far less misery and if something goes wrong, they will stand behind the tubes. I have used some EH tubes also and found them to be fine and reliable. To my worn out ears, the JJ's pack a bit more punch, but don't think you could go wrong with either.
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Post by sonicboom on Oct 5, 2013 12:03:53 GMT -7
I have 4 gold lions on my Original RX. They sound open and chimey but distort really fast. In terms of durability I've been playing with them for the past year 1/2 and it was not until recently that I felt the huge tone loss. Im coming back to JJ's for the price.
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Post by cap217 on Oct 10, 2013 11:03:44 GMT -7
I was told by another builder that the Sovtek EL84M was the most reliable el84 out right now.
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Oct 10, 2013 12:48:07 GMT -7
According to Don, when I inquired about my Rx, he said they'd put EH's in it. They don't seem too expensive, either, so maybe it's a cost vs. performance thing??
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Post by Brimstone on Jul 18, 2014 13:00:22 GMT -7
Reissue Tung Sol's, TAD EL84-STR's or NOS RCA 6BQ5's.
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