Qestion about tubes for metal.

[Micha]

Re: Qestion about tubes for metal.

Hello guys and thanks for the answer. I don't quote in simplier.

The tubes of my poweramp are the originals and whatever I choose I had to change them.

I'd ever thought that EL34 'so are the tubes with the much amount of Mids..... Perhaps because Marshall amps needs a lot of Mids to sound correctly.
I like Mids.... But I also ever thought that 6L6 have different Mids like EL34's... More high dirty Mids while a lot of lower Mids by the EL34.


The cabs I play are two marshall vintage cabs.
1960 AV and 1960BV (celestion vintage 30)

 

[Sirion]

Re: Qestion about tubes for metal.

Hello.
Thanks for your answer.
If I swap the tubes I will not get problems with the tube height because it is an EL34 100/100 amp with taller tubes than the 9100.


How does this amp is sounding if you compare the 6L6 with the EL 34's?

What helped your decision to change the tubes?

I have always favoured the EL34s. In a metal context, I find that the 6L6s sound more scooped, modern and, for want of a better term, American. Since I bought a Marshall I was, predictably, looking for a Marshall sound, with a slightly lower, more vintage mid-peak, and I found that I got closer to what I wanted with the EL34s. I kind of regret that I changed both channels, though, as it would have been cool both to be able to compare them, and to mix the tubes' qualities live.

 

[dave74]

Re: Qestion about tubes for metal.

What speakers/cabinets are you using? I don't usually associate EL34s with brittle highs, in fact, I usually think of them having warm highs, everything being recommended here will have more "open" highs. That's why I recommend maybe digging in the preamp a little more or looking at what speakers you have, a speaker change will have a much more drastic affect than a tube swap.

FWIW, the Voodoo Valve is a great preamp, but it is digital, it is basically the same as the Chameleon with a tube in the analog path to warm things up, but the tube is not adding to the drive/distortion.

I agree.
I can use a bit more highs and presence when running the Mesa-str447(eh EL34) vs the stock 6L6GC. The str440 can get brittle real easy so I always roll-down the highs more with those.

 

[Gtrjunior]

Re: Qestion about tubes for metal.

Dude, no offense intended, but you need to go back and read the first post. It's not an regular amp, it's a Marshall power amp and the preamp and effects are from the Voodoo Valve, so no pedalboard and a guitar signal straight into a power amp won't do much.

Sorry I tried to help....I won’t make that mistake again.
Hope your power amp blows up in your face.....dude

 

[devastone]

Re: Qestion about tubes for metal.

It probably will. Sorry, didn't mean to offend you.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Qestion about tubes for metal.

On the 6L6 vs. EL34 debate... there are 6L6's with lots grindy high mids (Sovtek 5881/6L6WGC's), and smooth, creamy, low-mid focused as well (Tung Sol 6L6GC-STR's).

Same goes for EL34's. EHX EL34's are voiced very different to, say, JJ E34L's.

On average, though, I usually associate EL34's with grindy upper mids more than 6L6's. JMO.

 

[Jacew]

Re: Qestion about tubes for metal.

Hello guys and thanks for the answer. I don't quote in simplier.

The tubes of my poweramp are the originals and whatever I choose I had to change them.

I'd ever thought that EL34 'so are the tubes with the much amount of Mids..... Perhaps because Marshall amps needs a lot of Mids to sound correctly.
I like Mids.... But I also ever thought that 6L6 have different Mids like EL34's... More high dirty Mids while a lot of lower Mids by the EL34.


The cabs I play are two marshall vintage cabs.
1960 AV and 1960BV (celestion vintage 30)

I think harsh sounding highs are well known characteristics of V30's...

Tube rolling might help a bit, but it won't change the basic characteristics of the speakers.

On the other hand, V30's are somewhat industry standard, so it might pay off making your amp spund good with them.

 

[Micha]

Re: Qestion about tubes for metal.

I changes different things in my sound. I have less this kind of harsh presence now.
Turn down presence and up the mids for a more modern sound. It's better. And a little bit less distortion.

 

[Micha]

Re: Qestion about tubes for metal.

OK... I ever thought that el34 had some plenty of Mids.... Less than 6L6.
I was wrong

 

[Micha]

Re: Qestion about tubes for metal.

I think I would like to keep my EL340's but with slightly more modern bass... Tighter deeper bass response and more cutting but warm highs... What should I buy in terms of tubes. Other EL34's? Something else other like KT77?
I would like to get more grid, deep lows with more kicking ass mids if possible but without harsh trebles... I like trebles but they have to be smooth and bluesy.
I love the blues touch in many plantings styles like wylde or darell...

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: Qestion about tubes for metal.

I think I would like to keep my EL340's but with slightly more modern bass... Tighter deeper bass response and more cutting but warm highs... What should I buy in terms of tubes. Other EL34's? Something else other like KT77?
I would like to get more grid, deep lows with more kicking ass mids if possible but without harsh trebles... I like trebles but they have to be smooth and bluesy.
I love the blues touch in many plantings styles like wylde or darell...

The EH 6CA7 is probably what you want. Either a KT77 or 6CA7 will give deeper bass but are still EL34 sounding overall.

 

[Micha]

Re: Qestion about tubes for metal.

OK. Thank you

 

[Micha]

Re: Qestion about tubes for metal.

Are the 6CA7 tubes the same as EL34?
I ask because I see this link.

https://diamondcustomshop.com/products/pm-el34-6ca7-guitar-power-amp-tube?variant=397833733

And on the tube we can reed EL34/6CA7 ?
For me it's seems to be the same ?


I think I 'll go with EL34 or change for KT77 or either 6CA7 tubes.
But I have to choose correctly.
I want the best sounding quality tubes.

I only know JJ and Ruby tubes.

Could anyone tell me more about the differences of the manufactures.
It seems that Chinese tubes are definitely not the best .
What about sovtek or electro harmonics (China? ) ?

What I've been searching for is (only if it is possible ) a compatible tube for my original EL34's with adjusting the bias but not change many other components.


Thank you for your help guys.
It's new for me, these tube questions and I prefer ask here at this forum like another because I know that many of you are really able to give good advices.

:yourock:

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: Qestion about tubes for metal.

The EL34 is a skinny bottle tube. The 6CA7 was originally an American version of the EL34 in a fat bottle (6L6 size). Since EL34 is the European part number and 6CA7 the American part number, tube boxes and either tube sometimes use either part number. To not get confused, the European EL34 pentode in a skinny bottle should only be referred to as EL34s, and the American fat bottle beam tetrode version as 6CA7s. They are not exactly the same. See these photos:

http://media.musiciansfriend.com/is...ft-Red-Quartet/212050000386186-00-500x500.jpg

https://images.reverb.com/image/upl...90,w_620/v1439827983/phdsci8ono4rcgm4vevl.jpg



The original KT77 made in England looks like an EL34 from the outside, but it is not the same internally. It was a beam tetrode with 30 watt plate dissipation. Standard EL34 plate dissipation is 25 watts.

https://img.usaudiomart.com/uploads...gold-lion-kt77-el34-6ca7-output-tube-nice.jpg

Now the EL34, 6CA7, and KT77 are inter changeable in application, and are all of the "EL34 tube family."

JJ makes several variations of EL34 family tubes. There are their regular EL34 and EL34II. The E34L tests higher and is a 30 watt plate dissipation tube instead of a 25 watt. They also make a KT77 reisuue and a 6CA7 reissue.

Ruby tubes are usually rebranded Shugaung Chinese tubes. There are two different Shug. EL34s. Their EL34A is a pentode version. Their more commonly avialable EL34B is actually a beam tetrode (or kinkless tetrode), with 30 watt plate dissipation. Which means it is actually a KT77 electrically. The Ruby EL34B-STR is the Shug EL34B. These tubes are in a slightly fatter bottle than regular EL34s, but the bottle is not as fat as an original 6CA7. The bottom line is they sound great. These photos are all the Chinese EL34B in different branding:

http://www.gettyimages.com/photos/el34?sort=mostpopular&mediatype=photography&phrase=el34

I recommend you go with the EH 6CA7 based on what you want tone wise.

On further edit, here's a photo with all three types of EL34 family side by side: https://tctubes.com/images/SVEL34_6CA7EH_GLKT77_800.JPG