misterwhizzy
Well-known member
I haven't seen them around for long, but I love the Tung-Sol brand in general. Anyone taken the plunge yet?
Anyone tried the Tung-Sol EL84s?
- Thread starter misterwhizzy
- Start date
Toe-Knee
New member
Re: Anyone tried the Tung-Sol EL84s?
I have very briefly. Unfortunately it was an amp that wasn't mine and i were revalving/biasing it.
However they replaced some JJ E34L's The JJ's were tighter and more focused (and a couple of years old) However the Tungsols were brighter and more aggressive sounding overall in the amp (engl powerball)
I plan on trying some in my own amps when it comes time to replace mine.
I have very briefly. Unfortunately it was an amp that wasn't mine and i were revalving/biasing it.
However they replaced some JJ E34L's The JJ's were tighter and more focused (and a couple of years old) However the Tungsols were brighter and more aggressive sounding overall in the amp (engl powerball)
I plan on trying some in my own amps when it comes time to replace mine.
SongsForTheDeaf
New member
Re: Anyone tried the Tung-Sol EL84s?
I use JJ EL84s and find them very nice in my amp. Tried tung sols in my other EL84 Traynor and found them a little harsh sounding but that could have just been the design of the traynor (vox based)
I use JJ EL84s and find them very nice in my amp. Tried tung sols in my other EL84 Traynor and found them a little harsh sounding but that could have just been the design of the traynor (vox based)
astrozombie
KatyPerryologist
Re: Anyone tried the Tung-Sol EL84s?
****. I have a Vox. Thanks for the JJ recommendation, I assume they have the durability JJs are known for.
****. I have a Vox. Thanks for the JJ recommendation, I assume they have the durability JJs are known for.
misterwhizzy
Well-known member
Re: Anyone tried the Tung-Sol EL84s?
I like both JJs and the Mullard reissues, slightly leaning towards the Mullards, because I find the highs aren't quite as brittle. I suppose it could also have to do with the fact that I biased it slightly colder with the Mullards. Who knows? For what it's worth, the JJs lasted me almost two years, with little to no signs of wearing out, and they were biased pretty hot.
I like both JJs and the Mullard reissues, slightly leaning towards the Mullards, because I find the highs aren't quite as brittle. I suppose it could also have to do with the fact that I biased it slightly colder with the Mullards. Who knows? For what it's worth, the JJs lasted me almost two years, with little to no signs of wearing out, and they were biased pretty hot.
astrozombie
KatyPerryologist
misterwhizzy
Well-known member
Re: Anyone tried the Tung-Sol EL84s?
Mine's a Jet City JCA20H, so I'm not sure how relevant this will be, but I'm pretty happy right now with a Tung-Sol in V1, a Ruby 12AX7C5 HG+ in V2, and a Chinese 12AU7 in the PI. Not much headroom with the low wattage and high-gain preamp.
Mine's a Jet City JCA20H, so I'm not sure how relevant this will be, but I'm pretty happy right now with a Tung-Sol in V1, a Ruby 12AX7C5 HG+ in V2, and a Chinese 12AU7 in the PI. Not much headroom with the low wattage and high-gain preamp.
metlking
Well-known member
Re: Anyone tried the Tung-Sol EL84s?
I have a VOX Night Train that I stuck a pair of Mullard RI EL84's into and I think it sounds great! "Agressive, yet pleasantly Smooth " is how I would describe them.........Got a couple of Mullard 12ax7's in there too. Nothing really special about them, I prefer Tung-Sol 12ax7's in most cases......I love that amp though!
I have a VOX Night Train that I stuck a pair of Mullard RI EL84's into and I think it sounds great! "Agressive, yet pleasantly Smooth " is how I would describe them.........Got a couple of Mullard 12ax7's in there too. Nothing really special about them, I prefer Tung-Sol 12ax7's in most cases......I love that amp though!
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Anyone tried the Tung-Sol EL84s?
There's a guy I know who's the most knowledgeable guy about tubes I've ever known....Myles Rose. He was the main guy at Groove Tube, and last I knew he was employed by 65 Amps. He's tested every tube known to man, and asserts that the JJ EL-84 is the prime choice for current EL-84's. I have them in my Gibson Goldtone, and am very happy with them. And they don't cost that much.
I've gone through a lot of NOS EL-84's and modern ones, and my favorites are JJ and whatever Ruby is rebranding.
I have great faith in Tungsol though too. I've never been disappointed with Tungsol pre's.
Speaking of pre tubes. Curly posted a thread about them, and it appears that the New Sensor Mullards are where it's at. I should pick up one of those.
The bottom line is that most of the best new tubes like JJ, Tungsol, Mullard, EH, Ruby etc....they're all good. There may be tiny differences, but any of those installed into a good amp will yield a great tone. These are good times to be into tube amps. There's an abundance of excellent old and new amps and no shortage of high quality tubes.
There's a guy I know who's the most knowledgeable guy about tubes I've ever known....Myles Rose. He was the main guy at Groove Tube, and last I knew he was employed by 65 Amps. He's tested every tube known to man, and asserts that the JJ EL-84 is the prime choice for current EL-84's. I have them in my Gibson Goldtone, and am very happy with them. And they don't cost that much.
I've gone through a lot of NOS EL-84's and modern ones, and my favorites are JJ and whatever Ruby is rebranding.
I have great faith in Tungsol though too. I've never been disappointed with Tungsol pre's.
Speaking of pre tubes. Curly posted a thread about them, and it appears that the New Sensor Mullards are where it's at. I should pick up one of those.
The bottom line is that most of the best new tubes like JJ, Tungsol, Mullard, EH, Ruby etc....they're all good. There may be tiny differences, but any of those installed into a good amp will yield a great tone. These are good times to be into tube amps. There's an abundance of excellent old and new amps and no shortage of high quality tubes.
Last edited:
njstoehr
New member
Re: Anyone tried the Tung-Sol EL84s?
Yep, tried them and love them. I have a full complement in my VOX AC30C2. Had the cheap Chinese tubes in when I bought it...they sucked. Tried JJs and they were better, still a bit harsh and ice picky to my ears. Unfortunately I blew a power tube so I ordered Tung Sols. I love them. There is a little more warmness to the amp, still have the same "jangle" VOX is know for but with a more balance overall sound. I also have TS in the preamp (12AX7). I like the preamp overdrive better with them but the overall change was far more subtle. The Power amp tubes (EL84) made a big, very noticeable difference to my ears. I swear by Tung Sol for my VOX now.
Yep, tried them and love them. I have a full complement in my VOX AC30C2. Had the cheap Chinese tubes in when I bought it...they sucked. Tried JJs and they were better, still a bit harsh and ice picky to my ears. Unfortunately I blew a power tube so I ordered Tung Sols. I love them. There is a little more warmness to the amp, still have the same "jangle" VOX is know for but with a more balance overall sound. I also have TS in the preamp (12AX7). I like the preamp overdrive better with them but the overall change was far more subtle. The Power amp tubes (EL84) made a big, very noticeable difference to my ears. I swear by Tung Sol for my VOX now.
SongsForTheDeaf
New member
Re: Anyone tried the Tung-Sol EL84s?
can't go wrong with JJs I have them in my Mesa LSS 4x10 now and they sound great
can't go wrong with JJs I have them in my Mesa LSS 4x10 now and they sound great
