EL34's or 6L6's in Roadster?

[roadster_1]

Hey guys, I was just wondering how big of a tonal difference there is by switching to EL34's in my Roadster combo? I'm curious as to how different the amp would sound, as I've never heard it without the stock 6l6's.

also, if anyone knows where I can find some sound clips of this, that'd be great!

thanks a ton!

 

[wildrat666]

Ill always use 6L6s cause the sound very good- used EL34s in my ex dual recto and i did nt like the sound. but you might get a little tighter sound with the el34s, smoother bas(maybe)

 

[fluff191]

Already a thread mang!

http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=35058

And try KT77's if you get a chance. If a 6L6 and EL34 got drunk at a party and got it on, and the EL34 had a baby, it would be named KT77.

 

[DirtyNoise]

What all do you have to do to put KT77's in a SR? Just make sure they are in range for the amp?

 

[LithiumZero]

I have been running EL34's for the past couple of weeks and I'm switching back to 6L6's. To me, the amp seems less congested and compressed sounding with 6L6's. The cleans are MUCH better too.

 

[MesaGod666]

I didn't like the sound of the clean channel with EL34's either. The crunchy channels are great, but the cleans are less than attractive.

 

[fluff191]

What all do you have to do to put KT77's in a SR? Just make sure they are in range for the amp?

THe KT77 is a direct replacement for the EL34. Just to be safe though, when ordering make sure to tell whoever you buy from that they are going in a Mesa and to send the correctly rated tubes.

They are the perfect cross between a 6L6 and an EL34. I first read about it on this lovely foum and gave it a shot and it sounds great!

 

[Areola]

I'm going to have about 30 people post after me saying how I'm wrong but here's a nice little rule of thumb

6L6 > EL34 = ALWAYS

 

[fluff191]

I'm going to have about 30 people post after me saying how I'm wrong but here's a nice little rule of thumb

6L6 > EL34 = ALWAYS

You're wrong. :lol:

Just kidding. 6L6's own. Just not own all.

 

[echoes420]

To my ears... a Mesa with anything but 6L6's, doesn't sound like a Mesa.

I have not had the chance to mess around with one that has the KT77's in it, but if they are a mix of 6L6 sound and EL34 sound, it would have to be much more 6L6 than EL34 for me.

EL34's made my DR sound like a more beefy JCM 900.... which isn't a bad amp, just not a Mesa.

Bottom line... you may be able to use EL34's or KT77's, but there is a reason that most if
not all amps in the Rectifier series are shipped with 6L6's... that's how it is "supposed" to sound... in my opinion.

 

[Areola]

Let me reiterate

6L6 > EL34 = ALWAYS

:lol:
If its not a 6L6 amp, its just not worth it!!!

 

[fluff191]

To my ears... a Mesa with anything but 6L6's, doesn't sound like a Mesa.

I totally agree with you. I just didnt want to stick with the 6L6 having never tried anything else and happen to be on a wierd tone quest.......which.....oddly enough had me oreder some 6L6's today.....so there ya go. But limiting yourself to one tube would be ridiculous. I personally cant just settle on one thing without trying everything else in it first. If that makes sense. Thats all.

 

[jdurso]

Its all a matter of taste and what kind of sound your going after. honestly i hear a bigger difference replacing preamp tubes, but at the end of the day if it doesnt kill your wallet i would pickup a quad of mesa el34s or jj el34s and see if you like them. Trust your ears over our opinions.

 

[orangine2002]

With Kt77's is the bias ok in the el34 setting for the roadster??

 

[Elixir]

I had my new Roadster shipped with EL's because I heard it gave it a more tight sounding/crispier crunch. Now how do the 6l6's compare? Really?

So far I've loved my sound but i don't mind trying something else.

 

[KH Guitar Freak]

I prefer mine with 6L6s, JMO...