Tube Choices

[chcjunior]

Re: Tube Choices

EL-34's. It's that warmth and brightness that makes me happy.

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Tube Choices

EL84s are my favorite...I voted for the bottom one in the poll; it just "looked" right to me!

I really do like them all, but if I had to choose & live with one, it's EL84s all the way for me.

[Robert S.]

Re: Tube Choices

Hard call. I polled 6L6 because I use them the most but the EL34s in my Marshall are killer sounding as well.

Silicon will kill yer tone.

[ErikH]

Re: Tube Choices

EL-34's all the way. I just prefer their tone over anything else.

[JeffB]

Re: Tube Choices

. I'll leave the small bottles to other folks.

Agreed. I just don't care much for 84s or 6v6's in general.

34s for me.

[casblah]

Re: Tube Choices

My favorites are EL-34's. The 6550's are a close second.

[kevlar3000]

Re: Tube Choices

In the right amp I love em all. With my old heads I have all types and each of them have their own vibe. I can't pick a favorite and am glad that is the case.

[KLINKDETROIT]

Re: Tube Choices

EH 6CA7 Best of both worlds (6l6 & EL34)

[Stratman]

Re: Tube Choices

uh....you put EL84 twice instead of having an EL34 option

You should get your eye sight checked!

There are both EL-84 and EL-34 options

[Rich_T]

Re: Tube Choices

EL34 for me. I'm a brit guy through and through. Push 'em hard with a fuzz pedal and groove those psycadelic riffs. Duuuuude.

[adrian]

Re: Tube Choices

Been playing electric since 1966. Have played many amps, but actually never owned one which didn´t have 6L6s. Never thought about it before...

[The Golden Boy]

Re: Tube Choices

I'll say it doesn't matter about the tubes, yes a certain tube is going to lend a certain characteristic to an amp- but the overall design of the amp is more important.

For example. Most people will assume the Marshall 2203/04 goes with the EL-34. I have one that has the stock 6550s, and I happen to like that one more than any of the other 6550 or EL-34 amps that I've played.

[Burkwieser]

Re: Tube Choices

I choose the 6L6s , but I think it really depends on the amp. Some amps just sound better with a certain type of tube. For example, for me, a 6L6s sounds like crap in a Marshall. I have to use EL34s cranking. That's me though. It depends on what you like, and the sound you are looking to get out of the amp.

[Al.C]

Re: Tube Choices

Well my amp has 6v6's,6L6/kt66,EL34's,and EL84's in it (yes all at the same time and you can switch to your power tube of choice depending on your mood).
MY most used tend to be the El 84's and EL 34's. THe 84's have a great rough growl to them, on the other hand it can be a llittle to rough at times. THe EL 34's have a crisp well balanced tone, very musical - probably the one I would pick if I could only have one. I am currently running KT 66's in the 6L6 slots right now, this tube is a little smoother than most of the 6L6's I have used. It gives a nice contrast to the EL34's. THe 6V6's are my least used. They give a more compressed sound with less low end. Pretty cool when pushed, a completely different sound than the others, just one I don't use much.

[B2D]

Re: Tube Choices

My favorite is EL-34's. I love 6L6's and EL-84's too, but EL-34's have that woody 'chunk' that sounds great with humbuckers or singles. Having an amp collection that includes all the popular tubes has always been a goal, and is a luxury for any tube fan.

I'm with GJ on this one.... 'cept on the "collection" part. EL34s have this range of harmonics that I love and cannot seem to get with any other tube. My Legacy can taje 6L6's, 5881s, and EL34s so it'll be fun experimenting in the future.