=C= vs JJ

[Jofipe]

It seems to me that the JJ's has more headroom compared to the Svetlana/SED =C=. Could this be true?

 

[charveldan]

I'd say it depends more on the amp than the tube for headroom.

 

[Jofipe]

Cool, I was just wondering cause one of my amps has a higher output compared to the other.

 

[baron55]

Depends on a lot of factors, bias tube condition ( they vary a bit) I find the winged C are the most robust of the current production power tubes and JJ are the least robust. That is just from my experience anyway.

 

[Marshall Law]

I love JJ e34L's absolutly love them, I have them in all my amps

 

[Capulin Overdrive]

I just got done taking a JJ!

 

[Ventura]

My experience has been =C= all the way, with JJ's a distant 3rd or 4th.

 

[blackba]

Depends on a lot of factors, bias tube condition ( they vary a bit) I find the winged C are the most robust of the current production power tubes and JJ are the least robust. That is just from my experience anyway.

That has been my experience as well. I like the sound of JJ power tubes, but they have not lasted as long as others (such as =C=).

 

[MrDan666]

Winged C's for better clarity, tighter low end and better build quality. They last much longer.

JJ's are ideal in a brighter amp, when you want to fatten up the tone and get some darker midrange happening. They don't last as long, but they often fail prematurely due to their smaller pins.. Many sockets need re-tensioning to hold the JJ's tight and securely. And then they usually don't have too many problems!

 

[grimm26]

Depends on a lot of factors, bias tube condition ( they vary a bit) I find the winged C are the most robust of the current production power tubes and JJ are the least robust. That is just from my experience anyway.

Define "robust." Do you mean physically robust as in they don't last as long or the sound is more robust, whatever that might mean. And is this robustness worth double the price of the JJ?

 

[charveldan]

Depends on a lot of factors, bias tube condition ( they vary a bit) I find the winged C are the most robust of the current production power tubes and JJ are the least robust. That is just from my experience anyway.

Define "robust." Do you mean physically robust as in they don't last as long or the sound is more robust, whatever that might mean. And is this robustness worth double the price of the JJ?

There are 2 kinds of JJ clients: those who've had tubes failures, and those that are gonna ...

 

[LP Freak]

I'm not a big fan of JJ's. Too dark for me. I put Winged C's in practically everything.

 

[guitarman967]

My take on the winged c EL34's is that they are a good all around tube. Tight bass, strong mids and smooth highs.
No issues with them. However, i dont think theyre worth the asking price in general. Theyre twice as much as some other great sounding tubes and they dont perform twice as good.
Ive spent a ton of time trying to find reasonably priced subsitutes without compromising tone and im happy to say the Tung Sol EL34B's are great power tubes. Theyre about half the cost. Im really blown away at how good these sound in older marshalls especially.
#not drinking the SED kool-aid.

 

[charveldan]

I'm not a big fan of JJ's. Too dark for me. I put Winged C's in practically everything.

Laura the Valve Queen recently posted that there are a large number of JJ tubes with bad QC and doesn't recommend JJ's for Mesa in general because the bias is all over the place.
I trust her for my power tubes.

 

[fuzzyguitars]

i like jj e34l

the newer batches seem to have problems

I have a stockpile from 4 years ago and have zero tube failures

 

[baron55]

Depends on a lot of factors, bias tube condition ( they vary a bit) I find the winged C are the most robust of the current production power tubes and JJ are the least robust. That is just from my experience anyway.

Define "robust." Do you mean physically robust as in they don't last as long or the sound is more robust, whatever that might mean. And is this robustness worth double the price of the JJ?

JJ's have crappy QA and won't last as long. SED are the only tubes speced to handle 500V on the screens and were specifically designed to operate in overload conditions which are very common in guitar amps. Whehter you like the sound or not, they are the best made current production tubes period.

 

[Mr. Willy]

Absolutely hate JJ preamp tubes. Not so much because they're dark, but because they're lifeless. Just dull. I can live with the output tubes, but I've had much better luck/experience with Ruby EL34 BSTR'S.

 

[baron55]

Rubys are great buys for tubes. Good quality and good prices.

 

[leib10]

My Uberschalls liked JJs more than Winged Cs. But that probably isn't the case for most amps. It's clear that the Winged C's are a lot better made. I've had JJs fail on me before, some within a few weeks of use.

 

[PaulyPanacea]

I'm more of a Wing C/ Gold Lion kinda guy. Never had issues with them. JJs are ok just popped a few too many in my time.