What does Rigtalk think of JJ Tubes.

[Ventura]

Oooh awesome.

I'm actually tempted to make threads titled "What does Rigtalk think of

SED
Softek
Electro Harmonix
Mesa
=C=
Jan Phillips

Valves.

The 6L6s in my 5150 II are EH.. and I don't know, it doesn't sound as warm, three dimentional or as open as I'd like.. it's a bit sharp sounding to me, I still think it's a great amp, but it's the slight nuances I'd like to improve on.

One of my JJs shorted. I could buy another JJ but then I'd have 3 ones that are 6 months old (according to the seller, who was admitidly full of shit) but could be a year old so I don't wanna mix them.

Well, before ya do that, you might just wanna do a search in RT for the info - it's been said and done so many times over, that the zeal in explaining each and every tube today, might not be as great as it was when the original threads came out. There's a LOT of chat about each and every manufacturer you mention, so check it out. It's a worthy search and a worthy read.

For my 2 cents, my 20thA XTC came loaded with JJ EL34's and that's fine, needless to say, I won't be upset the day they crap out on me, but for now, they're righteous and solid sounding - so I'm not swapping them out just yet As for tubes of preference, I dig the SED Winged C's, but I'm also a Genelex Gold Lion fan and a Tung Sol fan, different amps warrant different glass

Peace,
V.

 

[glassjaw7]

I like them...I know some have said reliability issues as of late, but I haven't tried any new ones in quite some time....why, cuz mine are still going.

This. I put jj KT77's and new jj front end in my recto almost three years ago and they still sound just as good as when i put them in. If there are reliability issues then I don't know about them from my own experience.

 

[steve_k]

Never had much luck with them. Then again, it is who is culling out the crap for you. Take the same tube and rebrand it Mesa or ARS and their QC will find the good one's. People talk shit about Mesa tubes, but I think they are great. Besides, some amp manufacturers need a cheap tube to install and keep costs down. Unless you are seriously A/B'ing tube sets, you won't hear much difference in some. Others you will. How much plate voltage can they handle, how much head room is left, is it current biased hot or cold, are the triodes fairly balanced? Lots of stuff make a difference. The cost is in the culling, not the tube. Take an amp like a Cameron CCV or a Bogner Uberschall and see how long they last. The trannies put out about 530V and there aren't many tubes that are going to stand up to that. But, if you are on tour and got roadies to freshen up the amp every night with new tubes, who gives a shit?

Steve

 

[Ancient Alien]

I never liked them due to reliability and tone.
Their KT88's sound horrid to me as do their EL34's
I had a quad of KT77's, and they were OK in my QR, but nobody else made 77's.
I steer away from them.
I also steer away from mystical high dollar NOS BS tubes.
EH, Sovs, and Ruby for me.

 

[Superunknown]

I dislike the JJ 12AX7 very much......but the EL34L sounds great in the Wizard though

 

[Big Rich]

i only tried out ther 12ax7s, 6l6s, and e34ls

the e34ls died after about 1 month of use the 6l6s were pretty damn good and the 12ax7s sucked fukin balls

i hate ther preamp tubes every amp i put them to try out sounded like shit with them .... to me they fucked up the response of the amp and slowed it down to a crawl it was really annoying

they made the amp feel stiff and i dono dead

 

[rupe]

I use the E34L's in my Chieftain. They sound great but don't last too long...3-4 months if played regularly (2-3 gigs/week). In fairness, I have yet to find a modern production EL34 type tube that lasts for any length of time in that amp.

 

[Sixtonoize]

I've had nothing but bad luck with JJs.
I just picked up a block-letter 5150 that has all of the original tubes and still sounds great...but it seems like whenever I get an amp loaded with JJs, it needs a full re-tube to get rid of all of the noises.

For the money, I've had good luck with Sovtek.

 

[tbdmlog]

I've only used their 12ax7s. They were muddy and undefined. Horrible imo.

 

[parntz145]

One of the reasons why there's a history of them shorting a lot when they're new, is because some of their power tubes have slightly thinner pins. So they may not fit into the tube socket as tight as other tubes. If they wobble about inside the socket, they can easily short due to the fact they aren't making a tight, solid connection

Just always make sure they fit really snug, and if they feel loose.. Just re-tension the tube sockets so that they grip onto the pins tight.

I have been using their EL34's for a while now and they sound great!

Sounds like a personal problem. LOL...
Thanks for the 12ax7 advice on the Cali.

 

[droptrd]

Oooh awesome.

I'm actually tempted to make threads titled "What does Rigtalk think of

SED
Softek
Electro Harmonix
Mesa
=C=
Jan Phillips

Valves.

The 6L6s in my 5150 II are EH.. and I don't know, it doesn't sound as warm, three dimentional or as open as I'd like.. it's a bit sharp sounding to me, I still think it's a great amp, but it's the slight nuances I'd like to improve on.

One of my JJs shorted. I could buy another JJ but then I'd have 3 ones that are 6 months old (according to the seller, who was admitidly full of shit) but could be a year old so I don't wanna mix them.

Ive found in my 5150 power tube changes make very subtle differences. Swapping preamp tubes gets the best results for me - assuming my power tubes are good still.

 

[Tawlks]

Oooh awesome.

I'm actually tempted to make threads titled "What does Rigtalk think of

SED
Softek
Electro Harmonix
Mesa
=C=
Jan Phillips

Valves.

The 6L6s in my 5150 II are EH.. and I don't know, it doesn't sound as warm, three dimentional or as open as I'd like.. it's a bit sharp sounding to me, I still think it's a great amp, but it's the slight nuances I'd like to improve on.

One of my JJs shorted. I could buy another JJ but then I'd have 3 ones that are 6 months old (according to the seller, who was admitidly full of shit) but could be a year old so I don't wanna mix them.

Ive found in my 5150 power tube changes make very subtle differences. Swapping preamp tubes gets the best results for me - assuming my power tubes are good still.

Ooh okay, I have JJs in my preamp aswell, Marshall in V1 (tech put it there), how do you like Jjs in the preamp? and EH for that matter? I have a complete set of both.

 

[Bishop5150]

They came stock with my 5150 III in the preamp and power amp sections. I have no problem with them as of yet. Although it's in the shop right now but i don't think tubes were the issue. I'll know in a couple of days.

 

[Inquisitor]

The JJ 6L6's are kinda bland. The JJ KT88's and EL34L's sound great. If you have a 5150, consider the Sovtek 6L6wxt+.

I guess I'll have to. Though right now I really dig the JJ 6L6's. Certainly beat the leftover Mesa spec'd 6L6s I had in there before.

Also have 12AX7 EHs in the pre-amp, like to see that theres some people with the same tube sections that I have! Was definetly pleasantly surprised when I got them, though not the most spectacular change I've ever seen. But they are also cheap.

 

[mikey]

The e34L's I had didn't last, one failed after about two hours, and the ecc83 pres are too dark for my tastes. Haven't tried any of their other offerings since my bad experiences with these. I might try the 6L6 in my SLO but I'm happy with SED so far...

 

[Marshall Law]

they are awesome tubes for me, I've never have had a problem ever. in over 20 years, I have never had a tube go bad that just didn't ware out because of age,
winged C EL34's are killer too.
sovtek and EH totally suck to me
what do these clips have in common? they all have JJ E34L's and 12AX7 in the amps

 

[Mudder]

Of JJ's the tubes I like from them:

6v6
el84 (when I want stronger mids)
12ax7 (when I want a darker tone)
gz34 rectifier tube

Other than these I can find better alternatives.

 

[Audioholic]

for some amps its just what it needs, for others, they suck.

 

[MrDan666]

Sounds like a personal problem. LOL...
Thanks for the 12ax7 advice on the Cali.

Haha

No worries Paul, let me know how you get on with the tube choice in the Cali!

 

[shred-o-holic]

Used to love them.......the newer production tubes are crap........Eurotubes sucks well more specifically Bob Pletka....


Glad my Axe-Fx and SS power amp don't need tubes...

Doug's Tubes is great though......he's not a big fan of JJ's either......