Best tubes for a good mid-range growl in my Herbert?

[Mizati20]

So I'm totally stoked to get a Herbert back, but there is a big difference in the way this one sounds compared to my other one... the one I currently have is loaded with all 6L6's and is very scooped sounding... my other Herbert had 4 EL34's and 2 6L6's and had a REALLY great mid-ranged bark to it...

Could just 4 EL34's make THAT big of a difference in the sound? This may seem like a dumb question since EL34's are a much more mid-ranged tube, and since the other one had EL34's its obvious it had more mids, but WOW there is definitely a difference for sure. I've remained purposefully ignorant to the whole tube market because I know myself and if I open Pandora's box with that whole issue I'll have millions of tubes laying around and no money in my bank account....

I have a video recorded of my old Herbert, same camera, same everything and there is definitely a difference... as of right now I am running the mid-cut off and the mids knob dimed and I'm still not quite getting to where I want to be with the 6L6's... I ordered 3 pairs of Ruby EL34's and am hoping for the best... am I on the right track?

Now I see why you guys go so crazy about swapping/trying different tubes... but I swear I've seen videos on here where people took before and after videos when doing a tube swap and didn't notice a single difference in the tone.... help a toob noob out please.

Also are there any pre-amp tubes that will get me into the mid-ranged territory I'm speaking about? I posted this same topic over at HC but the only real advice I got with from a Rig-Talk member

I don't know why I bother posting REAL questions over there anymore...

 

[PaulyPanacea]

I used to run the 4 EL34s & 2 6L6s...its killer. i think thats the combo you should go with. I am currently in love with all 6550's. But it doesnt have as much "bark" as the other setup but sounds better to my ears IMO.

 

[bognerluv]

I ran 6 =C= EL34s in my Herbert and really liked it. I much prefered the EL34s to the 6L6s in the Herbert for the same reason you stated... More "midrange bite".

 

[Mizati20]

I ran 6 =C= EL34s in my Herbert and really liked it. I much prefered the EL34s to the 6L6s in the Herbert for the same reason you stated... More "midrange bite".

This is exactly what I wanted to hear LoL, I'm listening to clips i made with my old Herbert... it had 4 EL34's and 2 6L6's and Im amazed at the difference that just 4 EL34's made... so I'm hoping going all EL34 will be even more of a noticeable difference in the mid-range area, I can't get these 6L6's out of this thing fast enough, although I'm not really like a super scooped metal guy, I love my mids!!! HOwever 6L6's would definitely be the tube to go to if you like the scooped sound, they do sound killer for that type of application, just not my cup o tea, thanks guys!!!

 

[MARK2C]

I ran 6 =C= EL34s in my Herbert and really liked it. I much prefered the EL34s to the 6L6s in the Herbert for the same reason you stated... More "midrange bite".

Same here. I ran 6 NOS Svetlana's and the amp had much more midrange and bark. Next will be the ELBHT's, but for now
I have been running 6 SED 6550's. They have a very big bottom end and to me have a higher treble response the EL34's.
They are EXTREMELY percussive though to the point that the amp could cause future male reproductive issues.
Seriously !!!!!

 

[RJF]

I hear KT-88s are also the way to go for that type of sound. Similar sounding to an EL34 but with more headroom with a more open sound.

 

[Oz Hofstatter]

I ran 6 =C= EL34s in my Herbert and really liked it. I much prefered the EL34s to the 6L6s in the Herbert for the same reason you stated... More "midrange bite".

Same here. I ran 6 NOS Svetlana's and the amp had much more midrange and bark. Next will be the ELBHT's, but for now
I have been running 6 SED 6550's. They have a very big bottom end and to me have a higher treble response the EL34's.
They are EXTREMELY percussive though to the point that the amp could cause future male reproductive issues.
Seriously !!!!!

 

[HumdinGer]

I hear KT-88s are also the way to go for that type of sound. Similar sounding to an EL34 but with more headroom with a more open sound.

I can confirm that. I'm using 4 KT-88 and two EL-34, and it sounds great with the right mount of midrange-bite. I've bought a pair of KT-66 witch I'm going to try instead of the EL-34 tubes. I think they may go better with the KT-88's when it comes to bias adjustment.