Best EL84 for Vox AC-30?
RichL
the tech do the worrying was my philosophy. But I've been trying to educate
myself, and after reading some recent posts here I've realized that what the
best tube of a given type is *may* depend on what amp it's used with.
So--with that in mind--I'm wondering what people in the NG might think is
the best EL84 for use with a Vox AC-30 combo.
If I can get some kind of consensus (also will talk with people outside of
the NGs), I'll go ahead and order some well ahead of my next "oil change".
Details:
Pre-1970 (I think; serial numbers are hard to trace and I got it used)
top-boost model, no reverb, hi- and lo-inputs into three separate channels
(normal, top-boost, and vib/trem), Celestion greenback speakers.
mrp
RichL wrote:
I can't really comment on your amp, but I play a Soldano Atomic 16,
which also uses EL-84's. And like Vox amps, my Soldano really pushes
the output tubes. I've had great luck with "JJ" brand EL-84's. I run
them hot and they take it well....sounding good, at the same time.
I'd say they are worth considering for your amp, too.
Good Luck,
Mike
Chief...@hotmail.com
> OK, so until recently I never worried much about the guts of tube amps; let
> the tech do the worrying was my philosophy. But I've been trying to educate
> myself, and after reading some recent posts here I've realized that what the
> best tube of a given type is *may* depend on what amp it's used with.
>
> So--with that in mind--I'm wondering what people in the NG might think is
> the best EL84 for use with a Vox AC-30 combo.
>
I recently bought one of those epiphone Valve Jr. heads to play around
with, and have tried a couple types of EL84s. It's a single ended,
Class A , 5 watt amp. Anyway, it came stock with a Sovtek EL84 which
sounds pretty good, I have to admit. I tried a couple other Sovtek
EL84's I have, new and used, and they all sounded the same. I tried a
JJ EL84 out of my Blues Jr and I didn't like it..but it has quite a
lot of playing hours on it. I tried a GT EL84-S #6 out of my MAZ-18,
also with quite a bit of jam-time on it and it was GREAT..my
favorite.
Now I have heard that the GT EL84-S and the JJ EL84 are one and the
same tubes, so I can't account for the tonal difference between them.
Jim
> OK, so until recently I never worried much about the guts of tube amps; let
> the tech do the worrying was my philosophy. But I've been trying to educate
> myself, and after reading some recent posts here I've realized that what the
> best tube of a given type is *may* depend on what amp it's used with.
>
> So--with that in mind--I'm wondering what people in the NG might think is
> the best EL84 for use with a Vox AC-30 combo.
Got an equity line of credit? MULLARD. It's what the amp was designed
around.
In all honesty, if I didn't already have Mullard EL84, I would NEVER pay
the NOS price, but I might look for "used but not used up." The problem
is that any EL84 isn't exactly a "robust" tube (even though the Mullard
is reputedly long-lived) and the AC30 doesn't exactly "baby" the tubes
if you play loud (which is the best way to play them!).
An EXCELLENT alternative is Japanese built EL84. Out of production, but
there seems to be stock if you search. The factory was set up by...
MULLARD. I have some NOS that are silk-screened Raytheon. You might
luck out and find some from somebody that doesn't recognize that they
are Mullard clones. The sound great to me.
FWIW, I don't have an AC30 (yet). My EL84 use is in my Matchless
Spitfire circuit (home built), Epiphone Valve Junior, and Ruby Tone Bone
EL84 adapters (that I sometimes use in my Marshall or my Super Reverb).
At this time, I run real Mullard, because I have them. But those
Japanese Raytheon tubes also sound good.
The "common wisdom" for currently available EL84 seems to be leaning JJ.
I have not tried them, though.
RichL
news:1349fc9...@corp.supernews.com...
Jim -- a couple of follow-up questions:
(1) Would you be willing to part with a handful of those Mullards for the
right price? If so, what's the right price?
(2) One brand I never hear much of on this NG is Svetlana. I've been to at
least one site where they're very highly rated. Do you have any opinions on
them?
(3) You mentioned about the AC-30 doing a number on the EL84s when played
loud. I agree that's the best way to play them, but I'm playing mostly at
home and have been using the VJ for most really distorted sounds, i.e.,
mostly using the AC-30 for "sparkly clean" and slightly crunchy. In that
case, would the Mullard (say, as compared to the JJ/Tesla) make a big enough
difference to justify the added cost in your opinion?
(4) This brings up the issue with the VJ, as I use it a lot and run it
pretty hard and it's true class A and I'd expect the stock Sovtek won't last
all that long (not that I want it to!). Do you think the Mullard's suitable
for that too, or do you think it's like putting lipstick on a pig? Would
the JJ be a better choice for that amp from that perspective?
Elvis Kabong
"RichL" <rple...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:xdGdnS7-Q6i6V97b...@comcast.com...
Fuck the tubes. Get 2 G12 Blue AlNiCos for the REAL AC30 sound.
RichL
news:YIr1i.440$z45...@bignews2.bellsouth.net...
Yeah I know Ed. They're on my list too ;-)
Jim
No, for a couple of reasons, mostly because I don't want to have to look
again some day down the road.
>
> (2) One brand I never hear much of on this NG is Svetlana. I've been to at
> least one site where they're very highly rated. Do you have any opinions on
> them?
For EL84? For 6L6 I never felt the need, since I've accumulated a small
stash or assorted US and Japanese black plates.
>
> (3) You mentioned about the AC-30 doing a number on the EL84s when played
> loud. I agree that's the best way to play them, but I'm playing mostly at
> home and have been using the VJ for most really distorted sounds, i.e.,
> mostly using the AC-30 for "sparkly clean" and slightly crunchy. In that
> case, would the Mullard (say, as compared to the JJ/Tesla) make a big enough
> difference to justify the added cost in your opinion?
Probably not worth the extra money, in all honesty. If you were
recording distorted? Then yes.
>
> (4) This brings up the issue with the VJ, as I use it a lot and run it
> pretty hard and it's true class A and I'd expect the stock Sovtek won't last
> all that long (not that I want it to!). Do you think the Mullard's suitable
> for that too, or do you think it's like putting lipstick on a pig?
If the VJ is a pig, it's a pretty pig. I run Mullard in mine, because I
have them. I was kind of shocked the last time I check prices on
Mullard EL84. You might want to find a Japanese EL84 for starters.
Even a used one. If you think it sounds better, then you might want to
spring for a Mullard.
Would
> the JJ be a better choice for that amp from that perspective?
Lots of guys seem very happy with the JJ. I *think* I have a pair, if
that's what Ruby Tubes was using. I have a pair that came in my Ruby
Tone Bones. Maybe I'll go through my box and take a listen to it next
to a real Mullard in the stock amp. When I do, I'll get back to you.
RichL
Thanks for the help! -- Rich