Svetlana EL-34 and Tungsol preamp tubes

[Pontius2000]

I am trying to get a good sound, particularly Lynyrd Skynyrd or ZZ Top out of my Roadster. the 6L6 imo either sound too sterile when clean or too harsh when the gain is pushed up. do you think the EL-34 tubes would be better for this classic rock sound?

I emailed thetubestore.com, which is a trusted site that Ive bought from before. they recommended the Svetlana EL34. any experience with these for classic rock? also, do you think I should even change the preamp tubes or just keep the stock ones in it?

also, I can't say for sure that these are even a problem. the power has been going in and out when it's in rectifier mode. so I called Mesa and they're sending me a replacement rectifier tube. possible that a bad recto tube is preventing the amp from sounding it's best?

 

[Scrapinger]

I've had bad luck with Boogie tubes. I just put all new Tung Sol preamp and power tubes in my Mark IV and love them. I use the EL34's and 6l6 combo and love the tone, esp how the EL34's make the clas A sound oh so very classic.

 

[ibanez4life SZ!]

IMO, the Roadster sound like it should with EL-34s...I don't understand why it comes with 6L6s. The amp is 100% better in every way with EL-34s, IMO of course.

As for preamp tubes, I haven't started messing in that arena with my Roadster. I'll be sure to let you know it I do!

 

[thejay]

IMO, the Roadster sound like it should with EL-34s...I don't understand why it comes with 6L6s. The amp is 100% better in every way with EL-34s, IMO of course.

As for preamp tubes, I haven't started messing in that arena with my Roadster. I'll be sure to let you know it I do!

I agree - overall I think the Roadster sounds much better with EL-34s

 

[danvortex]

same with DRs, to me they sound way better with EL34s

Svetlana are good tube if you're after that classis rock tone.

You should also look for SED EL34s winged C, they are the real Svetlana. The Svetlana you can get now is a new tube design and although it sounds really good it's not the real thing. The name has been bought and they changes the tube design. SED is what the ancient Svetlana are called now, the cie doesn''t own the name anymore but the tube is the same they used to make.