What EL34s for a stiletto?

[droptrd]

Have JJ E34Ls in there right now. Im happy with the tone. Im on the fence between the JJs and SED's. Recommendations?

 

[Old BF Shred]

I have used both in my Ace.......
JJ's had a nice warm tone, but the clarity and ruggedness of the SED is unmatched. they were both better than stock Mesa, IMO (and the Mesa's were ok).

I will use SED from now on...try 'em and you might do the same.
Good luck!

 

[droptrd]

Cool thanks. I think im goin with the SEDs if I can get over the $$. My biggest concern is that I keep hearing that the JJs have a bigger than most bottom end. I dont want to lose any bottom by switching brands. Although I am using a GE7 in da loop with the bottom 2 bands boosted just a C hair. : :wink:

In my 6L6 amps, I ONLY use SED. They kill.

I have used both in my Ace.......
JJ's had a nice warm tone, but the clarity and ruggedness of the SED is unmatched. they were both better than stock Mesa, IMO (and the Mesa's were ok).

I will use SED from now on...try 'em and you might do the same.
Good luck!

 

[Old BF Shred]

hard to say.....
I used JJ el34 (not e34l or KT77) and can not comment on the low end of the other types. I do know that the set of SED el34 I have in the Ace now seem to have as much low end as the GT el34M (my previous personal favorite for low end response in el34 types).

I guess it will all depend on what you are used to.
I had always used my 50/50 (6l6) before getting the Ace and was surprised how the el34 did not have the lows of the 6l6. I had to make adjustments and now I like the tone I get with el34 (in fact, so much so that I modded my 50/50 to use el34's!).
I also sometimes use eq in the loop to boost lows, but not always. The striking clarity of the SED is what sold me.
...to each his own....
Good luck!

 

[MusicManJP6]

When I had my Ace I liked the TungSol EL34Bs.

 

[rocksalt7]

+1 on the EL34B"s

 

[Old BF Shred]

Hey rocksalt and JP6, I am curious about those 34b's....granted I won't need tubes for a while now, but I am wondering what specifically you like about them. 8)
How is the frequency response? Good low end? Have either of you tried the SED and can comment on how they compare? And how about KT77 or e34l .....I think you said you tried kt77, before, JP6....how'd you like those? :?:

I'll eventually need new tubes and would consider trying something different....I just really like the SED's detail.

And lastly, what current rating did you use and for what amp (I know JP had an Ace before). I had "37" (just a relative rating; 37ma. at 400 volts on plate with -38v bias, per Tube Depot) SED's before but went with "32", lately, in hopes of longer life, and I'm hard pressed to tell much difference between the two, tone-wise.
I am curious what you used and how well they held up.
Thanks in advance!
Take care!

 

[MesaENGR412]

I'm currently running Tung-sol EL34B's in my Rectifier. I really like them. The next time i re-tube i plan on getting TAD EL-34B's. They seem to be a great tube, and they sound really good in my bud's Hughes and Kettner. Had them in there for about 2 years, no tube failures at all. I'm also looking at getting their brand 6L6's for my 5150 II. Should be awesome.

-AJH

 

[rocksalt7]

Hey BF....to me, the 34B's had a little rounder bass response; the stock Mesa's were OK but a little on the bright / plain side. I swapped them in looking for more bottom end in my combo. I've had them in for over a year now with no issues so far; still giving me what I want!! :mrgreen:

I'd like to try some SED's, but I'm stocked w/ Mesa's right now thanks to MusicMan, so it might be awhile.