Are JJ EL34L tighter than Mesa EL34 str 447?

[borisson]

Just put in the Mesa EL34s 447 yesterday, the top end is much smoother which is big improvement, the midrange is more present and there is overall more gain. Negative for me is the looser feel in the bottom end with less definition, would the JJ EL34L be a tighter and punchier?
Thanks

 

[Heritage Softail]

I have JJ's in my MKV. I have 2 cabs, one 3/4 2x12 Celestion Gt75s and one closed Egnater oversized 2x12. The oversized 2x12 has more punch than the open 2x12. The E34L thru a closed cab may be the punchier set up for you. Check out the JJ info on both tubes. SED =C= EL34's are pretty good for current production, St. Petersburg Russian. Lots of $$ to be spend on NOS. Not going there on my lunch money....

 

[borisson]

Thanks, i was hoping somebody here has tried them both and could give me an advice...
I havent tried my 2x12 closed back recto yet but using the open back wide body 1x12 the mesa el34 are looser in the bottom end than the stock mesa 6L6

 

[ryjan]

El34's are always going to be looser than a 6l6. I switched from Mesa 6l6's to JJ el34l's a while back and only notices a slight loss of thump. The tonal benifits of the el34l's far outweighs a little bottom end. They are super cheap from eurotubes so just try them out.

 

[Shang Chi 66]

El34's are always going to be looser than a 6l6. I switched from Mesa 6l6's to JJ el34l's a while back and only notices a slight loss of thump. The tonal benifits of the el34l's far outweighs a little bottom end. They are super cheap from eurotubes so just try them out.

I absolutely agree!

What little hit you take in tightness on the bottom end, you more that make up for with sweeter highs, and a chewier midrange.

And actually, (at least for me) the Mark 5 is a tight enough amp personality wise in the first place (especially in pentode op)

I quess if you're a high speed death metal type of player, it may be of more importance...but I would think that for the majority of the hard rock/classic rock style player, it's a non issue.

 

[Welshman]

Funny you should post this - I've just (literally 2 hours ago) ordered a MkV head and I've ordered a set of EL34s to go with it.
I already own a MkV combo - sweetest amp I've EVER owned and have debated for ages what amp to put alongside it in a stereo rig.
I almost bought a RK II, but decided against it largely because the clean is not as good as the MkV.
What I'm looking forward to now is trying out the EL34s in the combo (open backed) and then with the head (1x12 closed back widebody) to see which I prefer - although I'll be keeping the 6L6s to hand in case I want to switch back.
Regarding the JJ E34Ls, I have a set of those to hand but, as a relatively new Mesa owner, how does the fixed bias handle a non mesa toleranced set of valves (tubes)?

 

[wezzley]

if you put any non-mesa tubes in your amp, you should have the shop send tubes that are in the acceptable "bias tolerance range" for mesa amps. most shops offer that service if you tell them what amp the tubes are for. i don't know if tubes that are outside of the bias tolerance mesa uses will damage your amp/tubes; but it'll sound like crap.