Tungsol's or JJ's?

[mrfunnyman]

I am in the process of retubing my amp and I was wondering which brand has a better 6L6, Tungsol or JJ's? I currently replaced the previous preamp tubes with some JJ's ECC83's and they sound great, but I have heard numerous times that the JJ's 6L6's are stout, dark and blah! I know nothing about Tungsol tubes but I have never heard anything bad about them. Can you guy's gimme some input on these 2 brand's or recommend a good reliable 6L6 to me.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Tungsol's or JJ's?

Which amp? Also only your ears will tell you. Both good tubes.

Also depending on the amp, look at the small bottle TAD's.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Tungsol's or JJ's?

I'd walk over broken glass to avoid JJ or TAD tubes...

The JJ's are solid, last a long time and sound like **** on a shingle and the TAD tubes sound alright and are the worst junk to be passed on as quality tubes in the history of the vaccum tube.

Go with the Tung Sols.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Tungsol's or JJ's?

I have never really liked what JJ tubes did for any of my fender, marshall or peavey amps. I have tungsol in one of my marshalls and like them. I don't like the JJ preamp tubes either though, and you seem to, so take that into account.

 

[eggman]

Re: Tungsol's or JJ's?

Howdy,

These days I'm pretty much forced to become a new production tube consumer. Due to budget concerns, NOS tubes are virtually out of reach. In general I'm unimpressed with tubes from Sovtek (made in the same factory as "new" Tungsol).
I'd suggest JJ, if only because thier power tubes are better sounding by default! I've not heard anything to rival the big, satisfying "Bloom" I get with my NOS Sylvanias, but I digress. I'd even test-drive some budget Chinese (Sino) 6L6s. Try 'em all and decide for yourself. Good luck and keep your ear to the rail for some NOS 6L6s.

Eggman

PS: In defense of Sovtek, thier tubes are affordable, fairly rugged and reliable; no small concern for a gigging musican. As for tone, well..that's subjective. I'd still opt for JJ.

 

[ACH91332]

Re: Tungsol's or JJ's?

JJ's lack a lot of definition.

EDIT: I didn't read I guess, I was talking about their 12AX7's. I liked they're E34L. It was very tight and punchy but that was about it. Didn't have much character other then that. Sorry I can't speak for the 6L6 but I haven't heard anything bad about them.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Tungsol's or JJ's?

One formula that works for me is JJ power tubes and Tungsol pre's.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Tungsol's or JJ's?

If it is 6l6 you are after then jjs are excellent. Fat sounding with plenty of bass and the most reliable tube out there in my experience.
Tung Sol make nice 12ax7s if you want more brightness in the front end, but jjs 12ax7s are still great - big, fat and reliable. EH also make nice 12ax7s with big chunky glass and plates - more suited to Marshally mid voiced amps to my ears. All 3 brands are great.
If you are retubing a fender type A/B amp then tungs in the pre and jjs in the power, like gearjonser said is also my recommendation.

 

[Chas]

Re: Tungsol's or JJ's?

I think the fact that people are telling you that JJ's are both good and bad proves its all subjective. Try them both to see what you like better.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Tungsol's or JJ's?

One formula that works for me is JJ power tubes and Tungsol pre's.

JJ EL34s give any Marshall style amp a nasty (in a good way) grind to them that makes aggressive playing really pop. I just put a new quartet of JJ EL34s into my Quick Rod after the NOS Mullards crapped out at rehearsal. I had forgotten how much I missed their signature bite for hard rock!!!

 

[ACH91332]

Re: Tungsol's or JJ's?

lol crap now I'm afraid to give the EH 6CA7 a shot.. haha.

 

[mwalluk]

Re: Tungsol's or JJ's?

JJ EL34s give any Marshall style amp a nasty (in a good way) grind to them that makes aggressive playing really pop. I just put a new quartet of JJ EL34s into my Quick Rod after the NOS Mullards crapped out at rehearsal. I had forgotten how much I missed their signature bite for hard rock!!!

+1 esp if they are the gold tipped/high gain ones....

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Tungsol's or JJ's?

I'd walk over broken glass to avoid JJ or TAD tubes...

The JJ's are solid, last a long time and sound like **** on a shingle and the TAD tubes sound alright and are the worst junk to be passed on as quality tubes in the history of the vaccum tube.

Go with the Tung Sols.

And I really like the small bottle TAD 6L6s....Funny huh?

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Tungsol's or JJ's?

All this and no mention of SED 6L6's?!!! Tung-Sol pre's are nice, so are the NS Svetlanas, don't really care for the JJ 12ax7. I always use a long plate in the PI, like a JJ803 or a Mullard reissue. This is about the most comparable new stuff to my NOS setup in my Mark III which is STR 387's, Tungsrams in V1 & V3, and a Raytheon long plate in the PI.

JJ 6CA7's are awesome, don't know about the EH versions.

 

[ACH91332]

Re: Tungsol's or JJ's?

JJ doesn't make an actual 6CA7 tube just EL34/6CA7 from my knowledge. The real 6CA7s are basically an EL34 with a bigger bottle and are the beam tetrode type, not the pentode type.