greg_moreira
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- Jan 21, 2008
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Hi guys. Ive got a 3 channel triple rectifier with the mesa branded STR440 6l6 tubes in it now, and Im looking into a retube. I use the head fairly regularly, and Id venture to guess that the tubes are at least 4 years old if not older..... They still work, but Id still like to retube it, and I think Im going to switch up with some EL34's.
Ive got two in mind, and Id like to hear what you guys think. Im thinking either the tung sol EL34B, or the SED winged C EL34. From the descriptions I read....both are very good tubes, with the EL34B having just a bit more headroom, and a little more low end(however still tight). I kinda like the idea of getting the middy, and harmonic content of the EL34, but still having "some" 6L6 flavor. So...the tung sol is sticking out to me a little more right now. One thing that makes me nervous though about this tube....it says at lower volumes, its much more like a 6l6, and the EL34 flavor doesnt really start to come out until the volume is pushed.
When were talking about a triple recto head with 6 power tubes....how much "volume" are we really talking about before it starts to really act like an EL34 should? Im sure you triple owners know.....this amp gets loud very quicky, and I dont find myself leaning on the volume more than about 30% very often at all. With that in mind....am I going to get what these tubes have to offer at that volume level, or am I better off with the SED for a really good EL34?
Also, I dont really like a "clean clean" sound. I like a bit of a dirty clean, but even still....I dont want it to get too compressed and crunchy too quick, so retaining some headroom and dynamic would be a plus for the clean channel.
Lastly.....what about a V1 pre tube? I see LOTS of rave reviews about the tun sol 12AX7....but then a few bad ones too. Ive heard great warmth and dept compared to stock, and Ive also heard sterile. Do some places test them better than others? If so...where do you reccomend buying them from(or what other production pre tube would you like). Id like to get rid of some fizz if at all possible, and round out the gain sound. I usually dial the gain right around 12:00 in channel 3 modern mode(without exceeding 12:00), so Im not a huge gain fanatic if that makes a difference.
Sorry for the long winded post, but thanks very much for any help!
Ive got two in mind, and Id like to hear what you guys think. Im thinking either the tung sol EL34B, or the SED winged C EL34. From the descriptions I read....both are very good tubes, with the EL34B having just a bit more headroom, and a little more low end(however still tight). I kinda like the idea of getting the middy, and harmonic content of the EL34, but still having "some" 6L6 flavor. So...the tung sol is sticking out to me a little more right now. One thing that makes me nervous though about this tube....it says at lower volumes, its much more like a 6l6, and the EL34 flavor doesnt really start to come out until the volume is pushed.
When were talking about a triple recto head with 6 power tubes....how much "volume" are we really talking about before it starts to really act like an EL34 should? Im sure you triple owners know.....this amp gets loud very quicky, and I dont find myself leaning on the volume more than about 30% very often at all. With that in mind....am I going to get what these tubes have to offer at that volume level, or am I better off with the SED for a really good EL34?
Also, I dont really like a "clean clean" sound. I like a bit of a dirty clean, but even still....I dont want it to get too compressed and crunchy too quick, so retaining some headroom and dynamic would be a plus for the clean channel.
Lastly.....what about a V1 pre tube? I see LOTS of rave reviews about the tun sol 12AX7....but then a few bad ones too. Ive heard great warmth and dept compared to stock, and Ive also heard sterile. Do some places test them better than others? If so...where do you reccomend buying them from(or what other production pre tube would you like). Id like to get rid of some fizz if at all possible, and round out the gain sound. I usually dial the gain right around 12:00 in channel 3 modern mode(without exceeding 12:00), so Im not a huge gain fanatic if that makes a difference.
Sorry for the long winded post, but thanks very much for any help!
