If you're concerned over shipping, stop thinking inside the box! FedEx, UPS, USPS are not your only options. (they are the most expensive options) Shipping 412 cabs are not a big deal or a deal breaker. Get a pallet from one of many places, (Home Depot, Lowes, grocery stores in their receiving...
Hard to say. since the sourcing of the Siemens of that era have a lot to do with wide specs. My tube spec reference books are not much help when it comes to this period of tube. That's why Aspen Pittman began his Groove Tube Company in order to "bin out" those tubes. (Now owned by Mesa Boogie I...
I'm sure the issue of EL34's not getting a vote of confidence from Boogie is because of the variety of "inferior" tubes available in today's market. The days of robust, high current, durable EL34's definitely are in the past. As a disclaimer, Boogie just wants to CYA should you want to run in...
I do have an assortment of "unobtanium" tubes from the 90's through present. I just don't have a lot of time to do tube rolling right now and the foreseeable future. I'm sure I'll get around to it soon enough though. I have some Ruby, NOS Shuguang, NOS Mesa SP's etc... We'll see what's in store. :)
No doubt but in my experience the connection is drawn to the guitar because it is an intricate part of the tactical connection between the player and instrument. Ultimately though, you can make a crappy guitar sound great through a good amp but hard to do with a crappy amp and a great guitar...
The two are so different it really is refreshing to be able to choose one or the other and not just one..... the have distinct characteristics due to the design platform and the RK IIb is truly an amazing amp. I am so fortunate to be able to play through them both as well as the Mark lineage...