Question on tube types. Wing C SED EL34 to replace stock tubes

[chillytouch]

Hey guys, quick question.

I bought a used 5150 50w EL34 amp a while back and retubed it because the noise started cutting in and out after like 3 days. I replaced all tubes including the power tubes to EL34IIs. They are great. I wanted to get a backup pair of standard EL34 tubes just in case and I have a credit to my account with the tube store.

They show compatibility charts but only for the 100w amps, not the 50w. Will these tubes work on the 50w version?

https://www.thetubestore.com/product/1817?page=2

 

[DonP]

Re: Question on tube types. Wing C SED EL34 to replace stock tubes

The only difference between the 50w and 100w is 2 power tubes vs. 4 power tubes.

If you like the JJ EL34IIs why not just stick with those?

Not the first time I've heard of someone getting a used amp with bad tubes.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Question on tube types. Wing C SED EL34 to replace stock tubes

They will work fine and Winged-C are desirable tubes. They will likely change the sound a bit, however.

 

[devastone]

Re: Question on tube types. Wing C SED EL34 to replace stock tubes

Wow, $80 per tube, I've been out of the tube thing for a while.

 

[JMP/HBE]

Re: Question on tube types. Wing C SED EL34 to replace stock tubes

SED =C= are okay but not the only game in town anymore & the prices these days are beyond ridiculas.


Get a pair of these , everything =C= are & more and affordable.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Factory-Pl...~EAAOSwEzxYaV2Y:sc:USPSFirstClass!63139!US!-1

U have to wade thru the marketing bull**** and know fact from fiction.

 

[dave74]

Re: Question on tube types. Wing C SED EL34 to replace stock tubes

I'd take a look at all that mesa has at their tube store now.
They've recently shaken-up the lineup and on some amp models they've switched the stock tube choices.
There is a winged-c type if you scroll down.
I really like their str447. I think it's maybe an EH made. Sounds so intense in my series2 single rec.

https://store.mesaboogie.com/categories/shop/tubes.html

 

[devastone]

Re: Question on tube types. Wing C SED EL34 to replace stock tubes

I'll 2nd JMP/HBE's suggestion for the Tung Sols, those are some of the best tubes currently made, and $50 for a pair is a good deal. No way I'd pay $160 for a pair for anything unless they were NOS tubes.

I just looked up other choices at The Tube Store, those Winged C's are the most expensive thing they sell, why did you choose those? I'd go with the Mullards or the Tung Sols for a lot less $. Apparently their "compatibility" chart automagically points you to their most expensive offering. You can use any EL34 or 6CA7 they offer, the 6CA7s might work great in that amp.

 

[Zombiwoof]

Re: Question on tube types. Wing C SED EL34 to replace stock tubes

I'll 2nd JMP/HBE's suggestion for the Tung Sols, those are some of the best tubes currently made, and $50 for a pair is a good deal. No way I'd pay $160 for a pair for anything unless they were NOS tubes.

I just looked up other choices at The Tube Store, those Winged C's are the most expensive thing they sell, why did you choose those? I'd go with the Mullards or the Tung Sols for a lot less $. Apparently their "compatibility" chart automagically points you to their most expensive offering. You can use any EL34 or 6CA7 they offer, the 6CA7s might work great in that amp.

The SED EL34's ARE NOS now, they are not made any more. That's why they cost so much.
Al

 

[devastone]

Re: Question on tube types. Wing C SED EL34 to replace stock tubes

The SED EL34's ARE NOS now, they are not made any more. That's why they cost so much.
Al

Oh, like I said, been out of the tube game for a few years. But, no, I would still not spend that much on a Russian made tube when there are plenty of current made ones that are just as good. When I think NOS, I think of the old US/UK stuff.

 

[chillytouch]

Re: Question on tube types. Wing C SED EL34 to replace stock tubes

I'll 2nd JMP/HBE's suggestion for the Tung Sols, those are some of the best tubes currently made, and $50 for a pair is a good deal. No way I'd pay $160 for a pair for anything unless they were NOS tubes.

I just looked up other choices at The Tube Store, those Winged C's are the most expensive thing they sell, why did you choose those? I'd go with the Mullards or the Tung Sols for a lot less $. Apparently their "compatibility" chart automagically points you to their most expensive offering. You can use any EL34 or 6CA7 they offer, the 6CA7s might work great in that amp.

Oh so I just chose them because when I went to the el34 evh 100s selection, it showed 3 sets, and the highest quality option out of the 3 was the wing c and I have 100.00 credit with them. To be honest, I may even just opt to get the ones that come stock in the amp and save the $$ for a later date. I think that'd be JJ el34Ls right?

If this helps (since I wasn't able to really use the original tubes cuz they were dead),

I am looking to just get the early VH tone out of this amp. Literally the only thing I'm aiming for. So maybe whatever tube would help achieve that, I'm sure it honestly doesn't even matter that much, at least to my untrained ear.

 

[JMP/HBE]

Re: Question on tube types. Wing C SED EL34 to replace stock tubes

The SED EL34's ARE NOS now, they are not made any more. That's why they cost so much.
Al

Alot of SED =C= people try to sell now were "factory seconds" [rejects] that they try to pass off as the real deal.

Not so.

 

[devastone]

Re: Question on tube types. Wing C SED EL34 to replace stock tubes

Oh so I just chose them because when I went to the el34 evh 100s selection, it showed 3 sets, and the highest quality option out of the 3 was the wing c and I have 100.00 credit with them. To be honest, I may even just opt to get the ones that come stock in the amp and save the $$ for a later date. I think that'd be JJ el34Ls right?

If this helps (since I wasn't able to really use the original tubes cuz they were dead),

I am looking to just get the early VH tone out of this amp. Literally the only thing I'm aiming for. So maybe whatever tube would help achieve that, I'm sure it honestly doesn't even matter that much, at least to my untrained ear.

$100 credit will get you a set of the JJ, Tung Sol, or Mullard power tubes and some different 12AX7s to try, definitely a better deal. Don't know what those ship with though, sorry.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Question on tube types. Wing C SED EL34 to replace stock tubes

For what it's worth, I like the EHX 6CA7's a lot better than the JJ E34L set I had in my JCM800 clone. I find them to have a bigger, punchier, more open sound. If I understand it right, the different tube model designation is just the difference between a American versus European, just as 12AX7s and ECC83s are interchangeable, so don't let the different number scare you.

 

[JMP/HBE]

Re: Question on tube types. Wing C SED EL34 to replace stock tubes

For what it's worth, I like the EHX 6CA7's a lot better than the JJ E34L set I had in my JCM800 clone. I find them to have a bigger, punchier, more open sound. If I understand it right, the different tube model designation is just the difference between a American versus European, just as 12AX7s and ECC83s are interchangeable, so don't let the different number scare you.

https://www.thetubestore.com/electro-harmonix-eh6ca7-hpc

The EH 6CA7 is a Tetrode,

Not a true Pentode like an EL-34.

Again with tubes gotta watch the marketing crap like anything else.

 

[beaubrummels]

Question on tube types. Wing C SED EL34 to replace stock tubes

https://www.thetubestore.com/electro-harmonix-eh6ca7-hpc

The EH 6CA7 is a Tetrode,

Not a true Pentode like an EL-34.

Again with tubes gotta watch the marketing crap like anything else.

Interestingly, the JJ version of the 6CA7 is stated to be a Beam Pentode. Either way, according to the EH and JJ spec sheets, they are equivalent replacements for most amps using octal based pentode power tubes. While the ideal operating values differ slightly, the operating ranges allow them to work effectively as replacements for each other, with bias changes.

 

[devastone]

Re: Question on tube types. Wing C SED EL34 to replace stock tubes

After some quick googlin' apparently the EH is a tetrode, but that is only an issue in amps like old Traynors that have a negative bias on pin 1 instead of tying it to ground. Marshalls have pin 1 tied to ground so they would work fine.

 

[Wattage]

Re: Question on tube types. Wing C SED EL34 to replace stock tubes

the original Winged C's were great and very economical, not sure at $80/tube I'd get them

 

[JMP/HBE]

Re: Question on tube types. Wing C SED EL34 to replace stock tubes

Interestingly, the JJ version of the 6CA7 is stated to be a Beam Pentode. Either way, according to the EH and JJ spec sheets, they are equivalent replacements for most amps using octal based pentode power tubes. While the ideal operating values differ slightly, the operating ranges allow them to work effectively as replacements for each other, with bias changes.

I can call myself the "Secretary of Defense" too but that does'nt mean its so. I wouldn't believe a word coming out of Slovak cuz JJ tubes ive dealt with are crap and ive actually been told JJ pays their Eastern Block employees with Vodka & bags of rice. Believe it or not Ripley.

As for tubes the correct terminology is "Beam Tetrode" & "Power Pentode".


They just made up "beam pentode" off the top of their head again [for the 3rd time in this single thread] its all MARKETING.

JJ makes like 4 different EL-34 variants proof positive if they really made a top notch EL-34 they would need just one version.

Again [for the 5th time] MARKETING.

Personally i like power tubes that don't blow HT fuses ... call me old fashioned.

 

[LLL]

Re: Question on tube types. Wing C SED EL34 to replace stock tubes

I use the EH 6CA7s in my plexi. (NOS Valvo-labelled Mullards in V1, V2 & a NOS Mullard CV4004 in PI).

I agree with misterwhizzy on the EH 6CA7 tone.

I did also try a pair of the new Tung-Sol (nothing to do with the originals, like most of the re-labeled brands) EL34s; they were okay.

 

[dave74]

Re: Question on tube types. Wing C SED EL34 to replace stock tubes

the original Winged C's were great and very economical, not sure at $80/tube I'd get them

Aren't these the same? Much cheaper and machine tested (I assume).

https://store.mesaboogie.com/produc...a7-str-442-nos-winged-c-sed-matched-pair.html