Power Tubes Recommendations

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Junk Yard Dog

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Looking to replace my power tubes. My Comp currently has EH 6CA7’s and it sounds good. Just seeing what every one else likes.
 
Super happy with

SED Winged C - expensive
Mullard Reissue EL34s (still work fine after 12 years
JJ EL34 II's - what in there now. Very happy - 3Dish
Sventlana EL34L - just got for fun, will report back
 
Yeah. Big, full and 3D like is all I can say. Can't explain it as they came perfectly matched so it's not like a mA mismatch is causing anything. I did bias them hotter than maybe some power tubes in the past but that was only because I was trying to account for bias drift. But PDC (user here) suggested these to me about a year ago and I think he had similar descriptions for the characteristics - which intrigued me.

I also think he or someone else described EL34 IIs as everything you like about EL34s but better - and I def appreciate the extra low end if it is indeed there. I think it is but I know my ears play tricks on me sometimes.
 
311splawndude said:
Yeah. Big, full and 3D like is all I can say. Can't explain it as they came perfectly matched so it's not like a mA mismatch is causing anything. I did bias them hotter than maybe some power tubes in the past but that was only because I was trying to account for bias drift. But PDC (user here) suggested these to me about a year ago and I think he had similar descriptions for the characteristics - which intrigued me.

I also think he or someone else described EL34 IIs as everything you like about EL34s but better - and I def appreciate the extra low end if it is indeed there. I think it is but I know my ears play tricks on me sometimes.
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So where did you set the bias on these? ...I have a 50w Competition and usually always shot for 32ma on all my Friedmans & Splawns.
 
Honestly, I don't remember exactly but probably in that 34-35 range which would be hotter than normal for me by a bit but I've learned to bias to tone and not numbers. I run my QR at half power so 50w as well.
 
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I have Ruby EL34BSTRs in my Nitro, which I like but I dont believe are made anymore.. have ordered some JJ EL34IIs and waiting for delivery pending Early-Mid December... also wanted to try these based on the feedback I've seen from other Splawn owners such as 311splawndude and kmanick ?
 
I have my Supersport biased at 38Ma Scott told me 40ma is fine if you are in B+ voltage, the Supersport is in B+ voltage full time so I got them at 40ma and dialed it back just a bit
 
kmanick said:
I have my Supersport biased at 38Ma Scott told me 40ma is fine if you are in B+ voltage, the Supersport is in B+ voltage full time so I got them at 40ma and dialed it back just a bit
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Yeah. Mines a Comp, so also B+.
 
Just blew a fuse. Could be bad power tube. Local shop has EH EL34s. Anyone tried these in their Splawns?
 
Should be just fine. Are they rated/matched?

If you see the EL34 thread in the 'Technicians Corner' or whatever it is called you can see praise for the Electro Harmonix power tubes in general. Never tried them.
 
Junk Yard Dog said:
I have some JJ EL34 II’s, Tung Sol EL34B’s, and the EHX. All matched: gonna try the JJ II’s first
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Which did you like the most? Unfortunately with my Mini-Comp (must be the bias resister value) but I have loads of old El34's Svetlanas, old Chinese, lots of Siemens, etc and the bias range chosen by Splawn won't work to get it below about 45ma of current. I only have 2 sets of JJ's that work to get it 40ma or below, and I'd much rather use the other tubes. oh well! thought I was set on tubes for life, even though I have a couple of dozen amps, but this one doesn't have the range to use them :(

Eric
 
ericb said:
Which did you like the most? Unfortunately with my Mini-Comp (must be the bias resister value) but I have loads of old El34's Svetlanas, old Chinese, lots of Siemens, etc and the bias range chosen by Splawn won't work to get it below about 45ma of current. I only have 2 sets of JJ's that work to get it 40ma or below, and I'd much rather use the other tubes. oh well! thought I was set on tubes for life, even though I have a couple of dozen amps, but this one doesn't have the range to use them :(

Eric
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I also have a mini comp. I don’t set my bias, my amp tech does, so no idea how that works/

I’ve not tried any of these tubes yet. It had EHCA7s, but we think one went bad and blew out li fuse: kinda convening since they were new with maybe 25-30 hours. Unsure if they were biased right as I bought it those tubes in it.
 
Junk Yard Dog said:
I also have a mini comp. I don’t set my bias, my amp tech does, so no idea how that works/

I’ve not tried any of these tubes yet. It had EHCA7s, but we think one went bad and blew out li fuse: kinda convening since they were new with maybe 25-30 hours. Unsure if they were biased right as I bought it those tubes in it.
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Ah bummer. . Yep mine was biased REALLY hot, and I used it at every gig the past 2 years. I'd say I had at least 300-500 hours on them. Sounded great, but finally I figured I'd change them, and unfortunately the bias pot doesn't have enough range for all my good ones. Ha. . Oh well. . I have a pair of JJ 6ca7's in it now and they're fine, just different than the Chinese that were in there. Your tech will get it running easily and good luck
Eric
 
ya I don't get this bias pot Scott uses , I've never had an amp that had such a limited range on a bias pot/
doesn't make any sense to me
 
kmanick said:
ya I don't get this bias pot Scott uses , I've never had an amp that had such a limited range on a bias pot/
doesn't make any sense to me
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I guess I'm tempted to contact him, but not sure if I will or not. It's almost like the amp is set up for different tubes than el34's, OR just 1 kind that he had in stock. I literally have a dozen pairs of good old el34's and none would bias cool enough. (except some JJ's but they're not as good as my others)

Eric
 
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Well when my Street Rod blew up (spilled water apparently caused things to blow, important safety tip, NO drinks on top of your amp!) the tech put in JJ EL34B's. I noticed a lot more "oomph", really like them!

Good luck OP.
 
Got an email back from Scott: The bias should be no more than 40ma per tube on the 50 watt with EL34 tubes.
 
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