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Post by gbowman on Apr 25, 2018 13:56:30 GMT -7
I know there are all sorts of tube discussions on this forum, but I am looking for a simple response for this question: Of the current production EL84s, which tube would you choose for the Maz Jr - the JJ EL84 or the EH EL84 and why?
I know there are lots of great other tubes, but I need to pick tubes that are always available at my local store and that don't cost an arm and leg, so this question is really about pragmatics more than anything else.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Apr 25, 2018 14:28:33 GMT -7
I know these aren't local but here's what Doc is putting in them. NOS 6N14N (EL84 – matched pair) PerryR here on the Forum has great prices and ships quickly - buy a couple of pair and you'll be good to go for a while.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Apr 25, 2018 17:29:06 GMT -7
What Mike says!!! Perryr has great sounding military tubes that are built like the proverbial tank. If I had to pick between JJ and EH, I'd go JJ simply because I have had very bad luck with EH EL-84 tubes. That was years ago, but JJs have done much much better reliability wise over EH. Things may have changed since I stopped using them, so take this with a grain of salt.
I totally recommend you go for Perry's tubes. They are good enough for Doc to ship in his Z-Wrecks, and that's good enough for me. I have a set in my Maz 18NR and one in my Maz 8 that have been cranking for over a year.
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Post by fishyfishfish on Apr 26, 2018 9:43:20 GMT -7
I got almost two years out of the El84’s I got from Mr.Perry and that was A gig schedule of Fri-Sat-Bar gig, Sunday morning service twice a month with home plinking on the side-Pretty stout tubes. I would try these before anything else.
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Post by simpleton on Apr 26, 2018 15:35:49 GMT -7
Wow didn’t know about Perryr.... I’ve done JJ more successful than EHX...or more consistent tone.
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Post by mickey on Apr 27, 2018 23:40:16 GMT -7
I've always used JJ, never had an issue. Not tried the 6N14N's, not sure if I can get them in the UK, but I'm happy to keep on with JJ.
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Post by digs57 on May 6, 2018 6:42:48 GMT -7
Trying a set of tung sols for giggles (using up xtra sets)...they are nice and rich tone...
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Post by dcarver on May 6, 2018 12:53:42 GMT -7
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oowl
Full Member
Posts: 154
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Post by oowl on May 6, 2018 21:15:43 GMT -7
I know these aren't local but here's what Doc is putting in them. NOS 6N14N (EL84 – matched pair) PerryR here on the Forum has great prices and ships quickly - buy a couple of pair and you'll be good to go for a while. yup, agree with what others have said and also have liked the JJs in the past but it's been a while since I've bought any.
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Post by sharkboy on May 7, 2018 6:18:32 GMT -7
I have used most of the current offerings in several different amps over the past several years.
The 7189, or Russian ruggedized equivalent is the tube that seems to sound good for me in any amp I put it in, and is more able to deal with ZWreck/AC30/Matchless HC30 voltages and temperatures than others. This is what came with my ZWreck and I haven’t had the guts to try any other tubes in it. It may be the best sounding amp I’ve heard.
The Shuguang EL84 sounds surprisingly good and has held up for years in a Matchless clone. This was a big surprise to me.
JJs were darker and less magical for me, but for some of Z’s amps, I think they were the tubes he voiced his amps for, so they may still be a good option. Also, for the most part, JJs are built to survive. I haven’t even looked to see if these are what’s in my great sounding DB4.
EI (modern tubes, but out of production now) were my favorite sounding tubes, but have a poor reliability reputation. If I’m recording, I will use some of these in an amp if I’m having trouble getting a live enough feel. I wouldn’t even try them in my ZWreck.
EH seemed to distort early and be a bit grainier. Sounded good, but you don’t always want those characteristics.
I have a handful of NOS EL84s, but they don’t sound better than current offerings.
TADs: look tough. Sounded good. May give JJs a run for their money with reliability- I haven’t tested them long enough to find out.
I wasn’t blown over by the New Sensor “Mullard” and “Gold Lion,” but didn’t use them a lot. I vaguely remember that at least the Gold Lions were not intended for use in guitar amps- and especially not in fixed bias amps (which doesn’t make sense to me, since a lot of cathode biased amps are biased hotter than fixed biased amps.) I might feel more comfortable with these in a lower voltage or stereo audio situation.
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Post by Coleye on May 15, 2018 16:19:05 GMT -7
Mickey, if you want to try the Russian tubes in the UK, Watford valves had stock last time I was on their site. I haven't tried them yet as I've just retubed with JJ's but I was sore tempted!
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Post by mickey on May 15, 2018 23:35:49 GMT -7
Mickey, if you want to try the Russian tubes in the UK, Watford valves had stock last time I was on their site. I haven't tried them yet as I've just retubed with JJ's but I was sore tempted! Ah thanks for that, I hadn't checked them. To be honest I've gone with JJs for the last 10 years, bit reluctant to change!
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