Which power tubes for my Dual Rec?

[El Dunco]

After noticing my amps are overdue for a tube swap and finding some suppliers who don’t charge like they’re way more of a big deal than they are (seriously, some go for as much as a full tube amp head!) and comitting to trying E34Ls in my Marshall (that’s not a typo, people rave about them) I’ve narrowed it down to these types. I don’t necessarily remember there being anything “wrong” with how it sounded with the Tung Sol 6L6GCs during their lifetime but I’m open to trying new things. If there’s a particular brand to avoid with any of them, let me know.

 

[dave74]

What era/model of rectifier is it?

 

[Cynical]

IMO, Rectos sound much better with 6L6s than they do with anything in the EL34 family. 6CA7s or KT77s might be interesting since those both have some 6L6 flavor, but why mess with what works? There's a reason those amps ship with what they do...

 

[El Dunco]

IMO, Rectos sound much better with 6L6s than they do with anything in the EL34 family. 6CA7s or KT77s might be interesting since those both have some 6L6 flavor, but why mess with what works? There's a reason those amps ship with what they do...

That confirms my gut feeling. JJ 6L6GCs are the cheapest and easiest to get but people are complaining they’re “too dark/loose” though I suspect under a proper A/B test, they probably aren’t and can’t sound much different to any other 6L6GC and besides, they make them rated for Mesa’s fixed bias specs.

 

[El Dunco]

What era/model of rectifier is it?

2 channel. Rev F I think.

 

[dave74]

Well that would have came from the factory with mesa 420, which were shugaungs, but you probably won't find any of them.
I would choose 6L6, probably the mesa jj str-445 since you can probably get them unbranded from a dealer within mesa bias range, and for an OK price.

 

[El Dunco]

Well that would have came from the factory with mesa 420, which were shugaungs, but you probably won't find any of them.
I would choose 6L6, probably the mesa jj str-445 since you can probably get them unbranded from a dealer within mesa bias range, and for an OK price.

Good advice. I’ll have a look around. Crazy that they range from $125 per quartet to over $1000!

 

[NegativeEase]

If you want big bright tight big broadband recto tones -I'd lean toward 6L6

If you want smooth mids and less scoop -go EL34

 

[El Dunco]

If you want big bright tight big broadband recto tones -I'd lean toward 6L6

If you want smooth mids and less scoop -go EL34

Yeah, big!

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I don't think JJ 6L6's are fat and loose, though. I'd say it's the contrary. They're bright, tight, and kind of insipid. Not a fan.

 

[NegativeEase]

I don't think JJ 6L6's are fat and loose, though. I'd say it's the contrary. They're bright, tight, and kind of insipid. Not a fan.

They definitely have the potential to offend the ears long before an EL34 when breaking up

Also, the fizz control takes more strategy.

But the cleans and the tight are aight!

 

[Demanic]

I don't think JJ 6L6's are fat and loose, though. I'd say it's the contrary. They're bright, tight, and kind of insipid. Not a fan.

How can "bright and tight" be "insipid"?

Sent from my SM-A115A using Tapatalk

 

[El Dunco]

I’m not even looking to drastically alter the sound. I like the sound, or I wouldn’t have bought it. If I want a different sound, I use a different amp. I just want to bring out the best in it the way E34Ls bring out the best of my JVM.

Few things, Mesa’s cold fixed bias switch, a quartet of 6L6s ranges from reasonable ($100-$200 per quartet) to ludicrous (as much as another used recto!) not to mention JJs claiming they’re rated perfectly for rectos vs people complaining they don’t sound right vs other people saying different brands of the same tube sound nowhere near different enough to matter and now I have a headache…

 

[NegativeEase]

Sorry, I only answered my opinion for a dual rec -but for a JVM? I prefer 34Ls because they are smoother and warmer and that keeps the fizz and aggression of my greenbacks and V30s in line.

 

[devastone]

I like 6CA7s in Marshall style amps, but for a Dual Rec I'd probably stick with 6L6s.

 

[El Dunco]

Sorry, I only answered my opinion for a dual rec -but for a JVM? I prefer 34Ls because they are smoother and warmer and that keeps the fizz and aggression of my greenbacks and V30s in line.

That’s all I’m after. The E34Ls are so good in the JVM and I’ve tried 6CA7s and KT77s, I’ve found what I’m after for that. The next part of my question now is what kind of 6L6s? We all know the bias is a little cold. JJs claim theirs are rated to work well with it, the reviews are split right down the middle.

 

[NegativeEase]

That’s all I’m after. The E34Ls are so good in the JVM and I’ve tried 6CA7s and KT77s, I’ve found what I’m after for that. The next part of my question now is what kind of 6L6s? We all know the bias is a little cold. JJs claim theirs are rated to work well with it, the reviews are split right down the middle.

Unless it's an emergency change (where i just trust the published rating from GT etc etc) -I usually measure my stuff and adjust bias every change.

 

[El Dunco]

I don't think JJ 6L6's are fat and loose, though. I'd say it's the contrary. They're bright, tight, and kind of insipid. Not a fan.

Insipid? Meaning sterile?

 

[some_dude]

I experimented a lot when I was younger and I typically find Rectos sound best wth stock Mesa tubes in them, which in this case is Chinese. I’ve also used Sovtek, but I think the Chinese ones sound better.

I’ve never used JJ 6L6. If Mesa has started using them that’s a relatively recent thing.

 

[El Dunco]

I experimented a lot when I was younger and I typically find Rectos sound best wth stock Mesa tubes in them, which in this case is Chinese. I’ve also used Sovtek, but I think the Chinese ones sound better.

I’ve never used JJ 6L6. If Mesa has started using them that’s a relatively recent thing.

I think this pretty much settles it. It shouldn’t be any more complicated than that.