Tubes! what to pick?

[tekbow]

Anyone shed any light on this for me?

I'm having an amp put together, and the the lovely gent building it gave me some suggestions for power tubes after i asked him what he might use. the options were

NOS EL34's of some description
new production winged C EL34's
new production Gold Lion KT77's
new production JJ 6CA7's

am actually not so keen on the NOS tubes believe it or not.

So my question is, does anyone have experience of the characteristics of these tubes vs each other?

Not going to say what kind of sound i'm going for as i want to get a straight unbiased comparison. when i have an idea of what the tubes sound like i'll maybe go into more detail on the amp

cheers folks

 

[Capulin Overdrive]

SED =C= is the safest bet, never heard the 34's or 6L6's sound bad in anything.


Gold Lion KT-77 are nice tubes, and have a more modern pissed of sound to them than the SED 34's, also they are voiced a little higher in the mids vs SED. they can juice up a low gainer like a plexi, in a high gainer they'll be more for getting a deferent voice.


don't know JJ 6CA7? EH 6CA7's are cool, with maybe a little more bottom than a SED 34, and not as much mids or crunch. they have nice mids and highs, just not as hyped or as crunchy. the EH 6CA7 are maybe better suited for an amp with some gain?

 

[tekbow]

Perfect, just the kind of answer i was looking for

i think from that description the 6CA7's are out, the amp spec started out being a SIR #39 type job, and has kinda changed direction and evolved and is going to be an all out screamer. it's still got the modded plexi basis, but we're going insane thick crunch now along with tight thunderous low end.

 

[Ayrton]

SED is the way to go from your choices.

 

[Ventura]

Winged =C= SED's are almost a staple amongst tube amp aficionados... They're rich, full, and built with decent quality and consistency across the board. They're rich and typically offer terrific tonal range (amp dependent of course, but we're speaking in terms of 'all things being equal').

KT77's, the Gold Lion varietal, quality tube... Depends on the amp, but they can get quite metallic sounding, and definitely have a cut to them that's not strictly derived from the mids offered. They're kinda weird - in a good, modern, aggressive, clinically chewy kinda way - if that makes ANY sense at all. They're more sterile than the EL34's but this can be a major plus pending on the amp.

NOS tubes cost a lot of money. Yay.

As for the others, can't say I've used 'em... Here's a couple reviews from a guy I think does well at recommending tubes for different apps. I've used Jon at www.thetubestore.com for years, he's solid.

EL34 =C= :
If you want one EL34 tube that will do anything the Winged "C"/SED EL34 tube is money well spent. There is ample bass response but it is firm and controlled. The mids are smooth and the top end shimmers. Nice swirling harmonic content. The construction of the tube is outstanding and I feel it contributes to the overall performance. Lots of clean headroom from this tube with a smooth transition into breakup. Probably great in home audio applications, but if you want raunch at lower volume levels keep reading.

KT77 GOLD LION :
This tube was a treat to listen to. Since many of us have never actually listened to a KT77 from the original producer, I can not say that they nailed the reproduction. You really have to think of this tube as its own entity. Here is what I can tell you about it. The Gold Lion KT77 is a drop in replacement for an EL34 or 6 CA7. The sound however is not typical of an EL34 or 6CA7. It is more of a hybrid. The tube delivers all the mid punch you would expect in an EL34 but also has a top end that is more open and bright. It’s definitely got a bit of a 6L6 designed into it. I tested it in a Marshall 2205 50w head and was able to get that '70’s rock sound but with some bias adjustment could also dial in a VOX-like chime. This really has to be looked at as a new choice in power tubes. If you have a Marshall and never could decide if 6550 or EL34 was the way to go, you now have a third option.

6CA7-EH :
At last something to replace the hole left since the EI 6CA7 went out of stock. These tubes sound every bit as good as the old EI tubes and are probably my favorite tubes for Hiwatt guitar amplifiers. It’s like they were made for each other. These tubes are like EL34’s on steroids. They handle high voltage and current without problems. As mentioned, there is nothing like a Hiwatt head powered by 6CA7 tubes and driving a 4x12 cab loaded with Fane speakers. This is classic rock tone at its finest. It’s the sound of Pete Townsend and The Who. The 6CA7 has more headroom than an EL34 and by the time you get it really crunchy sounding your pants are flapping in the breeze. Just the right amount of compression for great thick rock tone. Biasing levels can be dialed in from warm to hot without causing significant tonal changes. The EH is well constructed and should not pose any noise problems. If using these tubes in more reasonable systems the EH 6CA7 is capable of some really nice clean tones thanks to that extra headroom. If you want early Van Halen, these are not the tubes for you. If you want something loud and proud, you want to put the EH 6CA7 in your amp.

JJ EL34 :
JJ is the new name for the Teslovak (Tesla) tube company. A good general purpose EL34. As previously mentioned, the sound is well balanced with tight bass response and great mids.

Peace,
V.

 

[JTyson]

SED's
Even with the price increase

 

[Gsxrbusa]

I have been messing aroung with the Gold Lion KT77 lately. In my amps it tightens things up a bunch, more focused. Great bottom end thump with smooth highs. Mids seem the same as EL34 to me. Definately sounds pissed off in a good way. It makes the clean channel fatter or more round. Seemed to increase the headroom when compared to an EL34. Fuck, I am diggin the Gold Lion.
Pricey but worth it IMO.

 

[Ventura]

I have been messing aroung with the Gold Lion KT77 lately. In my amps it tightens things up a bunch, more focused. Great bottom end thump with smooth highs. Mids seem the same as EL34 to me. Definately sounds pissed off in a good way. It makes the clean channel fatter or more round. Seemed to increase the headroom when compared to an EL34. Fuck, I am diggin the Gold Lion.
Pricey but worth it IMO.

What amp??

Thanks!
V.

 

[Gsxrbusa]

I have been messing aroung with the Gold Lion KT77 lately. In my amps it tightens things up a bunch, more focused. Great bottom end thump with smooth highs. Mids seem the same as EL34 to me. Definately sounds pissed off in a good way. It makes the clean channel fatter or more round. Seemed to increase the headroom when compared to an EL34. Fuck, I am diggin the Gold Lion.
Pricey but worth it IMO.

What amp??

Thanks!
V.

Peters Hydra and a Framus Dragon. I need to pull them out and try them in my Diezel Herbert.

 

[Capulin Overdrive]

I have been messing aroung with the Gold Lion KT77 lately. In my amps it tightens things up a bunch, more focused. Great bottom end thump with smooth highs. Mids seem the same as EL34 to me. Definately sounds pissed off in a good way. It makes the clean channel fatter or more round. Seemed to increase the headroom when compared to an EL34. Fuck, I am diggin the Gold Lion.
Pricey but worth it IMO.

What amp??

Thanks!
V.

Peters Hydra and a Framus Dragon. I need to pull them out and try them in my Diezel Herbert.

my Herbert has a pair of Tung-sol 34 for low end, a pair SED 34's just because they're SEDs, and a pair of Gold Lion KT-77's as the cherry on top!

 

[Gsxrbusa]

I have been messing aroung with the Gold Lion KT77 lately. In my amps it tightens things up a bunch, more focused. Great bottom end thump with smooth highs. Mids seem the same as EL34 to me. Definately sounds pissed off in a good way. It makes the clean channel fatter or more round. Seemed to increase the headroom when compared to an EL34. Fuck, I am diggin the Gold Lion.
Pricey but worth it IMO.

What amp??

Thanks!
V.

Peters Hydra and a Framus Dragon. I need to pull them out and try them in my Diezel Herbert.

my Herbert has a pair of Tung-sol 34 for low end, a pair SED 34's just because they're SEDs, and a pair of Gold Lion KT-77's as the cherry on top!

Damn! That sounds like a lethal combination. Tell me more about the Tung-sol, if you would fine sir.

 

[Capulin Overdrive]

the Tung-sol are good tubes, but really picky about what amps they'll get along with. thier plus side is that they have great bottom end for a 34, feel great to play, and are tight on the fugga dugga.


imagine most in amps that can't mix tubes, the SED's will beat the Tung-sol. in a VH4 i thought the Tung-sol kicked the SED's ass.


have mixed them in the Herbert, and in a friend's Bones and think they're awesome. better mixed than 6550's or even KT-88's in the Bones for my ears.

 

[tekbow]

hey guys, thanks for all the info, KT77's are still in front for me from what everyone's saying

 

[Ventura]

Tung Sol EL34's are wicked glass...!! I've just gone the route of =C= as I got into a huge order of 'em, but I've had the Tung Sols in previous VH4's, Soldano's, and a couple other amps and ya, they were SOLID!!

Here's the review off Jon's site:


The Tungsol EL34B is likely to become the #1 choice of currently produced EL34 tubes. The build construction is great all around and the move to welded plates will likely keep “EL34 rattle” to a minimum over time. The manufacturer claims that this tube has a hint of 6L6 in its tone thanks to manipulating the plate impedance. This is absolutely true, but the effect is most notable when playing clean and to a lesser extent when the tube is driven hard. At lower volume settings you hear a very pure balanced tone with a bit of the 6L6 sparkle in the higher frequencies while providing a midrange that is a little less prominent than most EL34 tubes. The tubes were very open and airy. The bottom end was percussive in the 2x12 open back combo. When driven into distortion it starts off a bit crunchy like a 6L6 but as you push it, the sound blooms into that singing EL34 tone with great sustain and modest compression. I love these tubes. Over the years I’ve tested many tubes but this is the first time I’ve had to tell myself to stop playing and get on to the next set!

V.