Metropoulos Forum

I love old Michael Schenker UFO tone. They were based in England, so I'm sure EL-34 tubes were used, but what would have been the likely choice ? Mullard, Siemans ?Great warmth and mids, with a bottom and top 'roll off'. Thats how it sounds to me.

Real simple, but GREAT tone, 50 watt (maybe '68 to early '70's)Marshall, either pre rola or rola 25 watters, and a flying V.

Cranking these amps were essential back then, so I'm sure tubes were replaced every 3 or 4 months. What would have been the likely choice in England back in the mid '70's ?

Well Marshall were using Tesla's by the mid 70's, so I guess it all depends on who was sourcing their tubes.
Since I'm old 34 I couldn't possibly comment on what was available in the shops!
But if their guy was using Marshall as a stockist, then Tesla would be the likely option.

The mid 70s through to early 80s was a time when Marshall were using a few different types of EL34. I've had a 1980 2203 with original Siemens EL34s and an '81 2203 with Mullards all through the amp. Also had a early 80s 1959 with Teslas.

For the tone you describe, some Tesla or Mullard EL34s would be the way to go - Siemens are brighter with more of a midrange-focused crunch (great for hard rock).

Great, thanks guy's.

So Mullard is English, Siemans German ? Tesla's Russian ? Is this correct.

Mullard= England, Siemens(RFT)= Germany, Tesla= Czechoslovakia

Thanks, just found out that the JJ plant is the remnants of the Tesla plant. Possibly some of the same machinery and 'recipes' as well.

Tone Slinger wrote:Thanks, just found out that the JJ plant is the remnants of the Tesla plant. Possibly some of the same machinery and 'recipes' as well.

if only that were true - the current JJs sound nothing like the old Teslas.

I've been talking to alot of tube vendor's lately, and have heard 'varying' stories. One said the Mullard reissue and the Eh el-34's are the same. Then I found out that, though they are made in the same plant, they are indeed different, with the EH actually sounding better when distorted, though they may not be quite as rugged as the Mullard reissue.

I also hear that the JJ tubes are real good in Marshalls, as well as thier pre amp tubes. I didnt like my JJ e34L's too much when I really got to trying different one's.

Maybe thier standard el-34 is better, I have heard people say this.