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Post by heavyredmetalneck on Jun 7, 2014 10:35:30 GMT -5
Hey guys, I'm getting wildly mixed results on this here board about the Valve Art (Shuguang) EL23B, some praise 'em, some throw rocks at 'em. Could some folks with actual experience with them give their take on these tubes? I know speakers, pickups, guitars and all that contribute to tone, but anyways I like a really smooth warm tone not so harsh in the highs and mids. I just tried a pair of JJ 6CA7's and although they aren't bad, they lack warmth to me. not so sure about anymore of there tubes as I'm reading too much about recent quality issues, although I've never had a problem with there pre amp tubes and 6L6's I used to use with my old 5150. thanks! I quad of EL34B's are easy on the wallet, and I've read a lot of good reviews (as well as bad)
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Post by sasquatch on Jun 7, 2014 12:17:34 GMT -5
I think they sound pretty good. I actually like them better than the =C= EL34's. The first quad I bought lasted a year ( I change 'em on a yearly basis), but one of the tubes in my second quad failed after about 5 months. That was when I decided to try the JJ E34L's. I'd been using the JJ's exclusively for a couple years and just last year decided to try the =C= EL34's. I made sure to get them from a reputable dealer who test's, matches and burns in the tubes as I'd heard the factory had shut down and low grade factory seconds were being widely sold. I had no quality issues with the =C= but they don't compare to the JJ's in my opinion. They have essentially zero low end compared to the JJ's and it was the first time since buying my QR back in '09 that I actually felt like I was getting a bit lost in the mix. I think they're too compressed and distorted. The JJ's have that nice, tight, extended low end with tons of punch and aggressiveness and nice distortion characteristics when pushing the pose section... which I do. So, here would be my preferences in order...
JJ E34L
Valve Art EL34
Tung Sol / Ruby (Toss-up)
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Post by edguyrocks on Jun 8, 2014 9:57:03 GMT -5
Depends on the year Quickrod.
I have used the Valve Art EL34-B, and recently threw a quad of =C= in. I like the Winged =C= a little more in the harmonics...they sound similar in a newer QR, but a bit more mids. The Valve Art EL34-B feels like a 6L6 to me. It is a bit too tight for me. I had a couple go out on me over time...
I did try a pair of JJ's E34L in, and I don't mind them, but no lie, one went bad within 2 weeks...and i bought them new from Eurotubes. I was a little upset.
Some have said the Valve Arts EL34-B rate at 30watts, and if that is true to some, then they are basically a 6L6 in disguise. So adjust your bias accordingly.
I paid $75 for my quad of Winged =C=, and now after testing them, I wouldn't pay the $165 they get new now. The tonal difference is so minimal, they aren't worth it. It's more of a feel difference.
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Post by heavyredmetalneck on Jun 8, 2014 16:37:57 GMT -5
thanks edgu. i am torqued off by the tubes going bad with the JJ's. been hearing so much of that. I just want the smoothest tone I can get, and with my '08 maybe it's just too much an angry monster to get that. All I know is that the quick rod has a mojo I refuse to walk away from, I will stick with this amp until to find the speaker/tube/pickup. yadayada I come up with
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Post by edguyrocks on Jun 8, 2014 23:46:15 GMT -5
thanks edgu. i am torqued off by the tubes going bad with the JJ's. been hearing so much of that. I just want the smoothest tone I can get, and with my '08 maybe it's just too much an angry monster to get that. All I know is that the quick rod has a mojo I refuse to walk away from, I will stick with this amp until to find the speaker/tube/pickup. yadayada I come up with When I had my 06, what worked for me, which is what you are looking for, was using a Jan Philips 12ax7wa blue label in either v1 or v2. only need one. smooths out the tone, and also I used old TESLA EL34s, Brown base, 70's EL34s. Only ran it at 50watts cuz I only had the pari of Teslas...Man, they sounded killer. Warm and smooth. Don't think that setup is needed with my 2012. In fact, I sometimes think I am working towards my 2006 tone. Needed a brighter Amprex Bugelboy, and a sweet ass Mullard. The Jan Philips I have isn't in it cuz it doesn't need to be smoothed out. |
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Post by sasquatch on Jun 9, 2014 19:56:22 GMT -5
thanks edgu. i am torqued off by the tubes going bad with the JJ's. been hearing so much of that. Interesting. I've been using JJ E34L's for over 4 years now... never had one fail. I also use their ECC83's... same thing, no failures and I push the amp hard. We play some good size clubs and outdoor shows and play loud. I use an attenuator so I can drive the power section pretty hard, so the amp and tubes are working hard. Never had one fail yet. Granted, I change tubes every 12-14 months, but that's just because I find they lose some mojo after being used for that long. Not just JJ's, but any tube. I can always immediately tell the difference when firing up a new set of tubes. Also... preventative maintenance is always the best kind. |
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