JeffB
Let it B
Picked up a complete set of JJ's for my DSL-
2 ecc83 MG (mid gain) tested for high gain and matched. Put these in V1/2
1 ecc803S tested for high gain for V3/Cathode Follower
1 ecc803S tested for high gain and balanced for V4/PI
2 EL34-II which seem to have been out for a few years but not much in the way of real world reviews. All the metal doodz like the 34Ls, and not many seem to like their standard el-cheapo-34
I have never tried any of these tubes before.
All of my power tubes have been tested, matched and at the same bias point rating from Tube Depot.
The EL34-IIs, like the JJ KT77s, sound BIG. Wider frequency response and noticeably different than my Mullard RI EL34s. The IIs are clearer and have a thicker low mid than the Mullards and a fair amount more headroom. Some reviews have said great for "classic rock", but the Mullard RI are definitely creamier, warmer, thicker, and more compressed like you would expect in a classic el34 tone. The II's remind me of some kind of 6550/El34 hybrid (as the KT77s remind me of a 6l6/el34 hybrid). I have had to crank the mids on my amp, and roll back lows (bass/resonance) and highs (treble/presence). Cranked and screaming for mercy , the IIs do the hard open crunch more than the Mullard RI, but do start to compress some. I like them, but probably where I want to be is halfway between the mullards and the JJIIs...a bit smoother and compressed than the JJs but not as much as the Mullards. A very nice sounding tube though, just like the KT77s. I think the JJ big bottles are far better tubes in their class than their el84 and ecc83s counterparts.
So, the mid plates- these are very different than the short plates. I have seen where the mid is supposed to mean "mid length plate" and not "midway on the gain scale" which makes more sense after testing some 83MG rated the same as some 83s. The MG are much more open on the top, cleaner and clearer with no fizziness or darkness issues. The 83s just sound like a ratty mess after having the MG in an amp, and also have a weird loosey goosey feel compared to the MG. The 83s do have noticably more compression, which IMO the MG really needs some of. The openess is great for clarity in gainy chord work and riffing on the low E and A, but playing solo work on the high strings and frets, the clarity takes some getting used to. Overall a much more professional and higher quality sound than the 83s, but may not be the right sound for vintage tones. I'd probably like these in a rectumfrier or other high gain Mesa (or an Orange!)
803s- I can only compare these to the Sovtek LPS and Mullard ECC83 long plate reissues. The 803 has the bigness and clarity of the Mullard RI with a softer breakup leaning more towards the Sovtek. The Sovtek LPS is still warmer, thicker, and more polite though.
Tube rolling combos with all my New Sensor stuff next week. I"m thinking the Tungsol or Svetlana in V1 and the Sovtek LPS or an ECC83s in the phase inverter will get me more the little more warmth and compression that is missing. The clarity is great for my effects and the digital reverb, but is a bit too much for my actual tone.
2 ecc83 MG (mid gain) tested for high gain and matched. Put these in V1/2
1 ecc803S tested for high gain for V3/Cathode Follower
1 ecc803S tested for high gain and balanced for V4/PI
2 EL34-II which seem to have been out for a few years but not much in the way of real world reviews. All the metal doodz like the 34Ls, and not many seem to like their standard el-cheapo-34
I have never tried any of these tubes before.
All of my power tubes have been tested, matched and at the same bias point rating from Tube Depot.
The EL34-IIs, like the JJ KT77s, sound BIG. Wider frequency response and noticeably different than my Mullard RI EL34s. The IIs are clearer and have a thicker low mid than the Mullards and a fair amount more headroom. Some reviews have said great for "classic rock", but the Mullard RI are definitely creamier, warmer, thicker, and more compressed like you would expect in a classic el34 tone. The II's remind me of some kind of 6550/El34 hybrid (as the KT77s remind me of a 6l6/el34 hybrid). I have had to crank the mids on my amp, and roll back lows (bass/resonance) and highs (treble/presence). Cranked and screaming for mercy , the IIs do the hard open crunch more than the Mullard RI, but do start to compress some. I like them, but probably where I want to be is halfway between the mullards and the JJIIs...a bit smoother and compressed than the JJs but not as much as the Mullards. A very nice sounding tube though, just like the KT77s. I think the JJ big bottles are far better tubes in their class than their el84 and ecc83s counterparts.
So, the mid plates- these are very different than the short plates. I have seen where the mid is supposed to mean "mid length plate" and not "midway on the gain scale" which makes more sense after testing some 83MG rated the same as some 83s. The MG are much more open on the top, cleaner and clearer with no fizziness or darkness issues. The 83s just sound like a ratty mess after having the MG in an amp, and also have a weird loosey goosey feel compared to the MG. The 83s do have noticably more compression, which IMO the MG really needs some of. The openess is great for clarity in gainy chord work and riffing on the low E and A, but playing solo work on the high strings and frets, the clarity takes some getting used to. Overall a much more professional and higher quality sound than the 83s, but may not be the right sound for vintage tones. I'd probably like these in a rectumfrier or other high gain Mesa (or an Orange!)
803s- I can only compare these to the Sovtek LPS and Mullard ECC83 long plate reissues. The 803 has the bigness and clarity of the Mullard RI with a softer breakup leaning more towards the Sovtek. The Sovtek LPS is still warmer, thicker, and more polite though.
Tube rolling combos with all my New Sensor stuff next week. I"m thinking the Tungsol or Svetlana in V1 and the Sovtek LPS or an ECC83s in the phase inverter will get me more the little more warmth and compression that is missing. The clarity is great for my effects and the digital reverb, but is a bit too much for my actual tone.
