JJ's in Splawn Modded 59SLP

[89custom]

Ok just got a set of the High Gain EL34L's for Christmas, had a problem with the set and must say that Eurotubes gave me great customer service, sent out another set in 2 days and were very helpful, I have dealt with them before, and in this day and age is hard to find GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE. They took care of me and I highly recommend there service. I work in retail and when I get good customer service I'm shocked. Ok, so much for the plug. BTW Scott also still gives GREAT customer service even thou he doesn't do mods anymore. Talked with him in great lengths about some issues
Anyone else try them in a Marshall Splawn, I'm such a tone snob and I'm trying to get use to them. Got the outer tubes at about 34 and inners at 32.8. It definitely sounds different. Had Mullard RI and replaced them with Winged C's. The C's and Mullards were more compressed sounding where the JJ's seem crunchy or raw sounding. Anyone else have any thoughts on these tubes. I know the Splawn guys love them, but thats a TOTALLY different beast then the Modded 59SLP. The Modded SLP still sounds like a Marshall and the Splawn QR sounds..well like a Splawn. Maybe I might need to bias a little hotter, plates are running about 450.

[AndyK]

Hey! I missed that orange SLP I sold you so much, I just bought a Splawn modded 1987x! Hope it sounds as good.
I found that preamp tubes made more of an overall difference in tone on that amp. I find using JJ 12AX7's darken the tone and add more gain. Using Chinese preamp tubes adds brightness, which may be overkill on a Plexi.

I've tried JJ E34L's, and they were much louder tubes than the Mullards and other EL34s. I play at low volumes, so louder tubes is not what I would want at this point. Not sure how you use the amp, but the JJ tubes are supposed to be pretty durable and dependable (the odd problem with a set aside). You should post some youtube samples of the orange beast!
Andy

[89custom]

Man that amp is the BOMB. Its the sound of Marshall that I have in my head. The 34L's are LOUDER for sure, and that amp is bright, lots of gain but its clear. Scott did a number on this one for sure. I play it threw an 800 cab that has Big Block speakers with the GT-75's. It sounds awesome. Bud of mine had an older QR and we AB'd them, same cab same room, guitar volume, and just my opinion (and his) the SLP just had more the sound we liked. The QR just has this weird midrange thing happening, just not my taste. Don't have any u tube stuff yet but I'll put the bands web page. A fellow guitar player shot a small clip on his phone and posted it, its the ending to Walk this Way in the comments. It had the winged C's in it at the time. I'm surprised the recording is not that bad. Everyone LOVES the sound of it.
www.myspace.com/sidetraktheband

[AndyK]

That sounded freakin awesome! Not sure what you dont like about the tone, but that video clearly shows how killer that amp is. Great low end Plexi chunk, cuts through the mix, excellent job!

[89custom]

Hey thanks for checking it out..its just me looking to fix something thats not broke. Every time I try a new amp or guitar, I'm comparing it to what I already have, and I already have the very best...to my ears that is. I even listen to some recordings sometimes and go "Wow, is that really me playing." Just like the words from that G&R song..Allways hungry for something I haven't had yet. That amp is THE sh!t!. Thanks for looking.

[AndyK]

I did the same thing listening to my youtube samples. That Splawn Marshall sounded the best, even better than the early QR I had. It sounds like a modded Marshall, rather than a Splawn. I should get my 1987x tonight! Hope it sounds as good.

[89custom]

I think you will like it, the 1987x Modded Splawn was the very first one I herd many years ago. Thats THE SOUND I was talking about...hope it works out for you.

[AndyK]

Hey - I got the 1987x, and I guess the tubes are shot because it sounds kind of lifeless. I opened it up to bias in some new EL34s, but can't figure out where the center tap wire is. On my JMP it was a brown wire that lead to the tip of the HT fuse holder (easy to clip a lead to). Any idea where (or what color) the center tap is on our reissue Plexis?

[Ayton(e)]

Hoping this one turns out well for you, Andy.

Ayton/zombielolocaust

[AndyK]

Thanks, I figured out that my multi meter fuse is blown, so I can't get mA readings! I ordered a new fuse, and some new tubes. So, to be continued!

[89custom]

Andy is this the one from Va. I know the guy you got it from and herd there was some problems. He's a stand up guy and I know he wouldn't sell crap. Either way hope it works out. I use a Bias Rite so I know just enough to get me in trouble. I went threw a bunch of Hoopla with those JJ's. First set had some noise, sent me out another and one just took off, shut it down before it Red Plated. Finally got a set that was quiet and it does sound a little different. Euro-tubes worked with me and went out of there way to get me a set that was quiet. Great Customer Service..and yes that is a Plug for them. They are way louder and have this nice mid crunch. So Andy if I read your posts on this 59SLP right, did this amp originally have KT88's or was that part of the original Splawn Mod?.

[AndyK]

Actually, the first amp I bought was from the guy in VA, who took the amp back after it arrived DOA. Turns out his tech says it was a problem with the Splawn circuits, and they sent it back to Splawn for a repair. In the mean time, I bought my latest from a guy in Alabama.

I ordered the JJ E34L tubes from Eurotube, hopefully they will work fine!

As for the 1959 I sold you, I read my old posts and I did mod it back to EL34's. I never liked KT88's - way too clean and "modern" sounding in a Marshall.