Post by nicholas on Apr 17, 2014 11:42:24 GMT -7
Well I've had my Wreck combo for about a month so with out any other EL84 amps, nor spare tubes I decided to order a few quads for backups. I figures I may as well try a few different brands. So I ordered a quad of JJ's, and new production Mullards. I like the sound of the amp and really wasn't looking for an "improvement". Just some solid backups, and a replacement set for the inevitable.
First I tried the JJ's. I left them in for two days with 4-5 different playing sessions. These made a very noticeable difference right away. There was nothing wrong, or bad with the tone, just different. But it seemed to loose a bit of headroom and didn't seem as punchy. It sounded fine though. Had the amp shipped with them and I didn't have the factory tubes for a reference point I wouldn't be looking for an improvement. Without using a million adjectives and tone clichés..... it just didn't sound as special with the JJ's. Not bad for a inexpensive backup though. But not what I want going forward when the factory tubes inevitably fail.
I put the factory tubes back in to confirm my thoughts.
Then I tried the Mullards. I always liked these tubes for a big fat sound and less headroom. I'm a blues, blues rock guy mostly. They always seemed to get to the good stuff faster. These sounded even farther away than the JJ's did compared to the factory tubes. They had way less headroom, and really rocked out. But being a humbucker guy, they just didn't have enough headroom and I felt like I almost lost my clean. Keep in mind I'm playing pretty loud with the amp volume around noon. These might be perfect for someone looking for lower volume dirt, or single coil guys.... but not for me. I pulled them after the first session.
I contacted Z amps to see if I could order the same power tubes, but they are being saved for future new amps. I was given some helpful tips. I found what I think are the same tubes at Dougs Tubes. NOS Russian from '89. I ordered a quad as the price isn't outrageous. Hopefully these are the same and sound pretty much the same. Fingers crossed.
I report back when I try them. I know the factory tubes are rated for 5000 hours. I'll just sleep better when I have a good replacement set
First I tried the JJ's. I left them in for two days with 4-5 different playing sessions. These made a very noticeable difference right away. There was nothing wrong, or bad with the tone, just different. But it seemed to loose a bit of headroom and didn't seem as punchy. It sounded fine though. Had the amp shipped with them and I didn't have the factory tubes for a reference point I wouldn't be looking for an improvement. Without using a million adjectives and tone clichés..... it just didn't sound as special with the JJ's. Not bad for a inexpensive backup though. But not what I want going forward when the factory tubes inevitably fail.
I put the factory tubes back in to confirm my thoughts.
Then I tried the Mullards. I always liked these tubes for a big fat sound and less headroom. I'm a blues, blues rock guy mostly. They always seemed to get to the good stuff faster. These sounded even farther away than the JJ's did compared to the factory tubes. They had way less headroom, and really rocked out. But being a humbucker guy, they just didn't have enough headroom and I felt like I almost lost my clean. Keep in mind I'm playing pretty loud with the amp volume around noon. These might be perfect for someone looking for lower volume dirt, or single coil guys.... but not for me. I pulled them after the first session.
I contacted Z amps to see if I could order the same power tubes, but they are being saved for future new amps. I was given some helpful tips. I found what I think are the same tubes at Dougs Tubes. NOS Russian from '89. I ordered a quad as the price isn't outrageous. Hopefully these are the same and sound pretty much the same. Fingers crossed.
I report back when I try them. I know the factory tubes are rated for 5000 hours. I'll just sleep better when I have a good replacement set
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