EL34 Opinions Please

[Moshaholic]

Tungsol EL34B or Mullard Reissues?

I have read a bazillion threads, etc. and would still like some input from any one who has compared.

It's for a JSX and I want to stick with EL34's no JJ's or KT77's, ETC - Just EL34's and I think I have it narrows down to these two.

Thanks!

 

[japetus]

I recently put some JJ EL34 II's in a JCM900 SLX and I am very pleased with them. I tend to not buy really expensive tubes, for the most part. I will for older amps though.

 

[V2a]

Ruby EL34B-STR

 

[skullfxr]

I like E34L's in my JSX. A little different but it kicks all kinds of ass.

Tung-Sol makes a great EL34, i have them in a few amps. IMO it's worth the price.

 

[napalmdeath]

Tungsols are great, but don't discount KT77's. They're made for that amp.

New Sensor Svetlanas are great sounding tubes as well. Not huge low end, but sweet in the mids.

 

[gibson5413]

I like E34L's in my JSX. A little different but it kicks all kinds of ass.

Tung-Sol makes a great EL34, i have them in a few amps. IMO it's worth the price.

My 3rd Power Kitchen Sink has E34L tubes and I really like them. I've never played them before and they feel great!

 

[lespaul6]

I would go tung sol el34b over the mallard reissues.. the jj e34L is not bad either, as is the ruby el34's

 

[skullfxr]

I would go tung sol el34b over the mallard reissues.. the jj e34L is not bad either, as is the ruby el34's

Isn't the ruby just a re-label kind of thing though?

 

[splatter]

https://www.thetubestore.com/electro-harmonix-el34

these are the best sounding EL34's I've found.
I haven't tried either of the 2 you suggested so you can punch me if you like.

 

[lespaul6]

I would go tung sol el34b over the mallard reissues.. the jj e34L is not bad either, as is the ruby el34's

Isn't the ruby just a re-label kind of thing though?

Yes, its the Chinese shugaung ?

 

[Ventura]

I would go tung sol el34b over the mallard reissues.. the jj e34L is not bad either, as is the ruby el34's

Isn't the ruby just a re-label kind of thing though?

Yes, its the Chinese shugaung ?

No!

Tung Sol is now under the New Sensor Corp which is Russia. New Sensor takes care of the following brands:
- Svetlana
- Gold Lion
- Tung Sol
- EHX
- Sovtek
- Mullard Reissue
- and likely a few others....

My EL34 choice is amp dependent; I've been digging the warranty on thetubestore.com EL34 "Preferred Series", the JJ E34L is a bass rich tube, and for my high end amps, the GL-KT77 is pimp. Diezel's using JJ nowadays for consistency purposes and I believe Friedman is also resorting to using JJs (and ARS are rebranded JJ/Tesla).

The JJ EL34II is a stronger tube - sturdier - and apparently a lot of people love it for its robustness and shit-kickability. Haven't tried 'em yet.

Hope this helps.
Mo

EDIT: Ruby and Groove just rebrand whatever consistent batches they get - whether Chinese, Russian, or whatever... So YES to Ruby being a rebrand, but NO to be solely rebranded Shuggies.

 

[lespaul6]

^^he was asking about the Ruby's as far as I know- and the ruby el34's are most def Chinese.

 

[trey85stang]

I really dig gt el34m’s.

 

[LP Freak]

https://www.thetubestore.com/electro-harmonix-el34

these are the best sounding EL34's I've found.
I haven't tried either of the 2 you suggested so you can punch me if you like.

Yes, these sound great

 

[Ventura]

^^he was asking about the Ruby's as far as I know- and the ruby el34's are most def Chinese.

JJ (Czech) also supplies Ruby.

 

[lespaul6]

yep.. gotta look for the CZ or STR

 

[Markedman]

https://www.mesaboogie.com/tubes/power- ... emens.html

Siemens

 

[V2a]

Ruby STRs are same as TAD STRs; both are from Shuguang. Ruby tests tubes, which is why I suggested them over the Shuguangs. And if you get 'em from a reputable vendor that also tests and burns 'em in, chances are you'll get a tube that'll work for a long time.

 

[lespaul6]

Ruby STRs are same as TAD STRs; both are from Shuguang. Ruby tests tubes, which is why I suggested them over the Shuguangs. And if you get 'em from a reputable vendor that also tests and burns 'em in, chances are you'll get a tube that'll work for a long time.

I have had good luck with the Ruby's and the price is very good online.

 

[napalmdeath]

yep.. gotta look for the CZ or STR

STR could be any "Special Tube Request" from several sources. STR doesn't designate a country of origin, or manufacturer by any means. It's just that, a "Special Tube Request" that manufacturers from USA to China to Russia, Holland Germany, Japan, have used as a designation for many years. Of course, several no longer make tubes, but STR still means the same thing.