|
|
Post by splawndude on Feb 22, 2020 22:49:49 GMT -5
So what is everybody using and what have you had success with? I decided to bias my amp today because it has been over a year I think. Just for sh!ts and grins really. First I had an issue with my multimeter because I was getting all kinds of crazy readings. Found my older one so I was able to get the job done but it took longer than expected. I remember reading that if you multimeter gives you funky readings to replace the batteries or the fuse. I didn't think it would be a fuse at fist because it at least worked but sure enough - bad fuse. Solid white. SO I get to checking the amp with my bias prove and I got 12-13 mA. WTF? Can't be right right? Check the other tube, use the other socket, use the other meter. Same thing. Damn. So my SED =C= seem to be on the outs even though the amp sounds good. So I take those out find the old Mullards that came with the amp. They still have the old writing on them when I wrote '40' and '38' on them years ago. I pop them in and now I've got 26 mA. Still cold but better. I have the bias pot all the way up. The other I noticed for the first time is that if you keep cranking the pot clockwise it makes a slight click on each rotation so I think that is there to let you know you've maxed out even though you can keep spinning it clockwise. Make sense. Anyway - amp is fine but now I'm going to get a fresh pair. Thinking EL34Ls. JJ whatever I don't care. Suggestions? Below are some pics including my new way to position the amp while I do my work. May not be perfectly stable as a builders amp block or bench or leaning it against the way but it actually worked surprisingly well. It is just a 2x4 wedged against the Power Transformer. Perfect fit and held well. My 2x4 piece is black. Then before and after pics.    (Edit: I know Scott doesn't like gut shots of his amp to be posted but no ones is going to be able to see anything.)  |
|
|
|
Post by briman on Feb 22, 2020 23:09:02 GMT -5
I would go with jj's. I never had multi meter go funky because of fuse! But ot did one time because of battery.
Love your amp! Cool looking. You need to get an evh flanger!
|
|
|
|
Post by splawndude on Feb 23, 2020 21:23:54 GMT -5
Yep. Pretty comfy with JJs. Thanks Brian.
What about EL34Ls. Anyone try those. Or maybe even KT77s? EL34Bs. Not going to do SEDs anymore. Too expensive and I expected them to last longer than that.
And yeah, I need to get that Flanger.
|
|
shaja
Junior Member
Posts: 74
|
Post by shaja on Feb 25, 2020 4:03:15 GMT -5
I've had luck with New Sensor Svetlana reissue EL34 tubes. Two sets, five years, lots of gigs and recordings. They sound tight, not too trebly like Tung Sol, not too muddy like JJ. I like 'em more than Sed's, they are balenced and sweet. Also hold bias excellent. I' ve allso got couple of NOS pre tubes, Rft and Ei long plates. Ei in V1 and V4, and Rft in V2 and V3, and my QR never sounded better.
|
|
|
|
Post by splawndude on Feb 25, 2020 11:37:22 GMT -5
Thanks Shaja....I will also consider these.
|
|
|
|
Post by splawndude on Feb 27, 2020 23:17:48 GMT -5
I've had luck with New Sensor Svetlana reissue EL34 tubes. Two sets, five years, lots of gigs and recordings. They sound tight, not too trebly like Tung Sol, not too muddy like JJ. I like 'em more than Sed's, they are balenced and sweet. Also hold bias excellent. I' ve allso got couple of NOS pre tubes, Rft and Ei long plates. Ei in V1 and V4, and Rft in V2 and V3, and my QR never sounded better. Like these?  |
|
|
|
Post by cvogue on Feb 28, 2020 0:56:46 GMT -5
I would go with jj's. I never had multi meter go funky because of fuse! But ot did one time because of battery. Love your amp! Cool looking. You need to get an evh flanger! I've had great luck with JJ power tubes. JJ pre's are finicky from amp to amp, great in my Blackstar and I've got a few in my Street Rod. I did like JJ EL84's in my old Peavey Classic and I just got JJ EL34's (not E34L's, that is a thing!) put in my Street Rod and it's never sounded better. The JJ's give a nice rich tone without losing any of the edge. Awe-some! |
|
shaja
Junior Member
Posts: 74
|
Post by shaja on Feb 28, 2020 4:46:24 GMT -5
I've had luck with New Sensor Svetlana reissue EL34 tubes. Two sets, five years, lots of gigs and recordings. They sound tight, not too trebly like Tung Sol, not too muddy like JJ. I like 'em more than Sed's, they are balenced and sweet. Also hold bias excellent. I' ve allso got couple of NOS pre tubes, Rft and Ei long plates. Ei in V1 and V4, and Rft in V2 and V3, and my QR never sounded better. Like these? Yes, those are reissued ones. |
|
shaja
Junior Member
Posts: 74
|
Post by shaja on Feb 28, 2020 5:03:58 GMT -5
I would go with jj's. I never had multi meter go funky because of fuse! But ot did one time because of battery. Love your amp! Cool looking. You need to get an evh flanger! I've had great luck with JJ power tubes. JJ pre's are finicky from amp to amp, great in my Blackstar and I've got a few in my Street Rod. I did like JJ EL84's in my old Peavey Classic and I just got JJ EL34's (not E34L's, that is a thing!) put in my Street Rod and it's never sounded better. The JJ's give a nice rich tone without losing any of the edge. Awe-some! I've tried lot's of tubes over the years, testing them in live situations, studio, home etc. To my ear JJ's are ok in preamp slots if you like a little bit less upper midrange and highs in general, but I like a bit more bite, but not Tung Sol, too shrill sounding. Newer chinese are ok, Svetlana 12ax7( reissue) allso, some of the TAD offerings as well, but I've find that nothing beats a good NOS tube. For power tubes I don't like JJ, like a blanket over a speakers, Tung Sol again to shrill, nasty highs. SED's were great, NOS Rft, Siemens and Philips EL34 are outstanding tubes, but hard to find. Svetlana reissue EL34's are the closest thing to those old ones that I could find, at a great price, sweet sounding, great overtones, power and reliability. That's of course just my opinion, but I'm very happy with them and NOS pre tubes. |
|
PDC
Junior Member
Posts: 85
|
Post by PDC on Mar 27, 2020 17:52:31 GMT -5
I’m sorry - I’m a little late to this party. With the recent COVID shutdown, I have had time to do a MAJOR tube-rolling day with my Splawns. I tried JJ E34Ls, JJ EL34-IIs, and NOS Groove Tube 6CA7 Reissues. And the very best sounding power tubes in my QR are the tubes it shipped with (!) On my Nitro, I ended up really liking the E34Ls - maybe because they do tend to ‘tighten-up’ the low end and the Nitro really throws alotta’ lows at your cabinet. I did the same thing with pre-amp tubes and my QR just LOVES the Gold Label Genalex 12AX7s - which are pricey, I know. And laugh all you want, the Mesa SPAX7 with the black shrink wrap in the 2 gain stages of the Nitro are NOTICEABLY quieter than any other preamp tube I rolled through it.
|
|
|
|
Post by gtrjunior on Apr 3, 2020 14:26:06 GMT -5
I’m sorry - I’m a little late to this party. With the recent COVID shutdown, I have had time to do a MAJOR tube-rolling day with my Splawns. I tried JJ E34Ls, JJ EL34-IIs, and NOS Groove Tube 6CA7 Reissues. And the very best sounding power tubes in my QR are the tubes it shipped with (!) On my Nitro, I ended up really liking the E34Ls - maybe because they do tend to ‘tighten-up’ the low end and the Nitro really throws alotta’ lows at your cabinet. I did the same thing with pre-amp tubes and my QR just LOVES the Gold Label Genalex 12AX7s - which are pricey, I know. And laugh all you want, the Mesa SPAX7 with the black shrink wrap in the 2 gain stages of the Nitro are NOTICEABLY quieter than any other preamp tube I rolled through it. Agreed....a while back I blew a tube and decided to try a few different ones I had. I ordered a couple of sets too. At the end of the day, I liked the Chinese tubes that were factory installed the best. |
|
|
|
Post by splawndude on Apr 7, 2020 21:43:59 GMT -5
Considering KT77s
Any suggestions there?
|
|
|
|
Post by gtrjunior on Apr 8, 2020 5:57:11 GMT -5
Sorry....I’ve never used them. But as long as they are a drop in replacement.....why not give them a try?
I personally wouldn’t mod my QR for another tube type.
|
|
|
|
Post by briman on Apr 8, 2020 15:41:07 GMT -5
I've got KT66's in one of my JCM800's and i love em.
|
|
|
|
Post by gtrjunior on Apr 8, 2020 17:35:14 GMT -5
I've got KT66's in one of my JCM800's and i love em. How do they differ from an EL34 and are they indeed a drop in replacement? |
|
