Post
by kristyy » Fri Dec 30, 2005 2:16 pm
Honestly, I have not had problems with EH EL34's. I've blown one only because of it being my fault... forgot to check the speaker cable before turning on the amp (toddlers are wonderful, truely). I've used two sets so far.
Of the new production, I believe the best are SED, JJ, and New Mullard (a better built EH). Of the three, I like the SED's the best. The New Sensor Mullards are good but over priced compared to the SED and JJ. With any of these three, I believe you cannot go wrong. It is just what EL34 tone you are after. I do not any have reason why I do not use the JJ EL34L's much. I use to use the JJ's with JJ high-gain 12AX7's when we were playing more overdriven rock. I just do not want to give the impression that I think these are lesser than the SEDs and New Sensor Mullards.
I have not tried the New Sensor Tung-Sols but I hear good things about them. Some from well-respected people.
With that being said, I do not see any point spending 4x or 5x the price for "affordable NOS" EL34's. Current production are good. Right now, I'm using the New Sensor Mullards but switch back and forth with the SEDs.
The only problem I have with EH EL34 is the breakup. To me, it sounds like the EH do not break up well. They crapp-out too quickly. SEDs break up the best to my ears. The New Sensor Mullards sound slightly better at lower volumes. Hence the reason why I switch all the time.
I do have NOS sets in RFT and Siemens that everyone talks about being the affordable NOS including TT. I just do not hear enough justification to be paying $100 to $150 for each pair. These set in the original boxes on the shelf.
Pre-amp tubes are a different story. My ears tell me that there are still some ground between new production and NOS. The problem, cost-wise, is that I have to spend more money buying sets of 5 or 10 of new production to find two that have good sound. I do run "affordable NOS" in the pre-amp which is a Mullard in V1, a GT12AX7M in V2, and a Valvo 12AT7 in V3. This is a JCM800 so I am trying to limit the highs and gain to remove the buzzyness. I do have another GT12AX7M that I can run in V1, but the Mullard gives it some more clarity without increasing the highs into harshness.
My setup is the JCM800 2204 ('87 vintage), Les Paul or AM Strat (fat), not much in the signal chain... bypass, Boss GE-7, Boss OD, Ibanez Chorus/Flanger, and Phaser. I try to avoid effects as possible. The speakers is a 2x12 Avatar (Vintage 30 & G12H30). I do use a hotplate but I mostly set the volume and change the gain as need on the song.
My experiences with Tubedepot has been great as well. Another good dealer is Eurotubes (JJ only). For NOS, I most use tubemonger and KCA of which both I recommend. I tend to shop for price.
