Let's talk tubes :D

[edi_87]

Hi guys..
Could you share your thoughts about JJ tubes??
Never tried those in my amp, but heard some others and they sounded great..
Also, some people say that they smoothen tone a bit, which is the thing that I need (tighter bass, creamy high mids/treble instead of piercing)..
Im planning to get 4EL34L's and 9ECC83S', dont know if I should go for high gain version or not.. I'll be grateful for any advices..
Mike

 

[Kommerzbassist]

Re: Let's talk tubes

All I know is that some here really like em...
An alternative would be the Winged =C= "Svetlana" El34 (they are actually not the current Svetlanas)

 

[Duke of Metal]

Re: Let's talk tubes

Hi guys..
Could you share your thoughts about JJ tubes??
Never tried those in my amp, but heard some others and they sounded great..
Also, some people say that they smoothen tone a bit, which is the thing that I need (tighter bass, creamy high mids/treble instead of piercing)..
Im planning to get 4EL34L's and 9ECC83S', dont know if I should go for high gain version or not.. I'll be grateful for any advices..
Mike

hey Mike,
To be honest.. I personally never liked the none-highgain graded JJ preamp tubes. Everytime I baught JJ ECC83s, I got them highgain graded. To my ears, they didnt sound dull, dark or lack gain like the none-highgain graded ones do.

I dont know why but the "standard" none highgain graded ones didnt sound nearly as good. What amp are you using? If your amp has seperate tube sockets for each channel, then I'd get them Highgain graded for the distortion/lead channel(s).

The JJ E34Ls are also an excellent tube. Tighter low end then most EL34s. Aggressive mids and highs arent as harsh. I remember using them in my Carvin T100 tube poweramp when I had it and they were a big imporvement over the GT EL34s I had in there.

Whats the rig/amp(s) your using? and what style of music do you play?


Cheers

 

[davey boy]

Re: Let's talk tubes

I just ordered a full set for my new Peavy Classic 30 from eurotubes.com. I liked eurotubes because this guy is into tubes big time. He has full sets that he puts together for your particular amp and the pricing is great. I think all he deals with are the JJ tubes. I also got one for a tube mic and my vox tonelab while I was at it. Will let you know how it turns out.

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: Let's talk tubes

The non-highgains suck tone... severely reduced my gain and treble, added a tone of darkness and dullness.

High grain graded ones are tits, though.

 

[JLagoon]

Re: Let's talk tubes

JJ high gain tubes eliminate the unwanted fuzz and trebley tone of my TriAxis. The power tubes sound great too in my power amp. I don't think that you'll be disappointed.

 

[Duke of Metal]

Re: Let's talk tubes

Mike.. I forgot to mention that If you do go with the highgain graded JJ ECC83s preamp tubes, then I'd get them highgain graded at around 110mu/120mu per side. Anything more then that is just over kill on the gain and anything less then that I personally sound to sound dull.


Cheers

 

[Guitarist]

Re: Let's talk tubes

Bob is a great guy, no doubt, and the service is the best out there. But, the tubes are not my favorite. Especially, the preamp tubes. I got the high gain ones and was slightly dissapointed. The power tubes are nice...can't really say much more. Wish I had more time to compare and contrast with 'em.

 

[Guitarist]

Re: Let's talk tubes

They're certainly worth a shot...to see if they work for you. Bob's got great prices...and I don't know how that mother****er ships so quickly!!

 

[ModestCargo]

Re: Let's talk tubes

JJ power tubes are nice.

 

[Hoss]

Re: Let's talk tubes

ordered a set of matched "high gain" JJs from Eurotubes a month or so ago for my Blues Jr. I love them!

 

[edi_87]

Re: Let's talk tubes

Whats the rig/amp(s) your using? and what style of music do you play?

I play a MIA Strat through Triamp mk2 head and 4x12 cab.. And yes, this amp has 9 preamp tube slots, which means different tubes are responsible for different channels.. I play modern jazz, soul, some blues, fusion, rock, so the amp needs to be versatile.. You guys suggest me to go for all 8 high gain tubes (1 is phase inverter) or put the normal ones in the clean channel slots.. If the highgains really enhance the tone, maybe I shold place them in the "clean slots" as well.. What do you think?
Do they give a lot edge? Smoothness is important to me...

2) I think Ive changed my mind and I'll take 6L6's instead of EL34's.. Although I like EL34 tone, I'd just like to try JJ 6L6GC's..

 

[Duke of Metal]

Re: Let's talk tubes

I play a MIA Strat through Triamp mk2 head and 4x12 cab.. And yes, this amp has 9 preamp tube slots, which means different tubes are responsible for different channels.. I play modern jazz, soul, some blues, fusion, rock, so the amp needs to be versatile.. You guys suggest me to go for all 8 high gain tubes (1 is phase inverter) or put the normal ones in the clean channel slots.. If the highgains really enhance the tone, maybe I shold place them in the "clean slots" as well.. What do you think?
Do they give a lot edge? Smoothness is important to me...

2) I think Ive changed my mind and I'll take 6L6's instead of EL34's.. Although I like EL34 tone, I'd just like to try JJ 6L6GC's..

1) If your like your clean tones to be seriously clean, then no, i wouldnt put Highgain graded 12ax7s in the clean channel's preamp tube sockes. If not, then sure, you can do it for sure.

JJ preamp tubes to my ears are smooth sounding, yet they can be aggressive when pushed harsh into the highgain area. I've compared to the Highgain graded Eh12ax7s and to my ears, the JJs were Much lower on the noise, tighter, smoother and the highgain graded JJs sounded more balanced to my ears.

2) The JJ 6L6GC is an excellent tube. I used to use it a while back when I had a 6L6s poweramp and they sounded beefy, tight and thick. Nice tight tone when used driven hard with highgain. Worth every $.


Hope that helps!