What EL34's do you recommend for a 1978 JMP 2204

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jmilldrum3

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Looking to re-tube for 2204 and was wondering what you guys recommend?
 
First if it's 6550's check to see if they are the original GE's they last a lifetime. If changed over to EL34, my personal choice is either NOS Siemens EL 34 or NOS Tesla EL34. You can still get both at somewhat reasonable prices and they will outlast others. As far as new production goes, I've experimented with TAD, JJ, and some Sovtek. I'd use the JJ if I had to.
 
Yes it is EL34. Thank you for the recommendation. What do you think about the Electro-Harmonix EL34 Small Bottle?
 
Well, New Sensor, makes Electro-Harmonix, EH Gold, Genalex, Mullard, Sovtek, Svetlana and Tung-Sol, so they all come out of the same Russian plant. So there are only 3 countries that are producing new tubes. Russia, China, and Slovakia. Others like TAD and Ruby, Groove Tubes, buy from the manufacturers, test, match and rebrand them. The name on the bottle means little these days. I'd just make sure I bought from a reputable dealer with disciplined matching. You will need to bias the amp with any new power tube install.
 
I don't have a 2204 (but similar) and I went to Eurotubes (not in Europe) based solely on a recommendation and picked up some EL34 II's.

Highly recommend. A bit more low end which I like and they were biased within .5 mA which is excellent.

I was going to go the usual route and get some Mullards or JJs from Tube Depot or Doug's but glad I gave Eurotubes another chance. My amp is biased on the high side right now but I'm getting some cool 3D like characteristics in my Splawn that I have not heard before.
 
JJ KT77's FTW. They growl like no other, (they're better sounding than the factory SED's), in my JVM.
 
I have a moded 2204 and I used for years the RFTs EL34's...

Very classic sound...I recently changed the EL34's for 6550(NP TADs)...

Will not go back to EL34's...
 
LP Freak":2owp9ass said:
jmilldrum3":2owp9ass said:
Yes it is EL34. Thank you for the recommendation. What do you think about the Electro-Harmonix EL34 Small Bottle?
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I’ve had good luck with electro harmonics so I’d recommend them. They’re relatively inexpensive too.

https://nesstone.com/product/electro-ha ... ower-tube/
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I remember reading that the EHEL34 is pretty much a clone of a Mullard and they seem quite reliable. If you like a bit of 6L6 backbone with your EL34 check out the EH6Ca7 which is a true beam forming element tetrode like the original Sylvania. I have compared my original Sylvanias with the EH's and the EH are pretty darn close.

I am and have been running an EHEL34 in my combo 1x12 Marshall amp for years now and I have been quite happy with it. For everything else I am running Sylvania 6Ca7's and SED 6550's.
 
So many options just depends what you want to pay.
SED =C= are great and reasonable compared to others.

Then there are the EL34, E34L, and EL34II. Then there are the 6CA7's and KT77. All a bit different.
 
My last SED =C= EL34s did not last nearly as long as I had hoped and there is no way I'm paying those prices again. Just been over all impressed with JJs in general. 6L6 and 12AX7s too.
 
For new production I like the EH. If you want a warmer tone or amp is really bright then new production Mullards.
 
I'm spoiled as I have a good stash of vintage Siemens, Winged C and Mullard. Out of new stock 34s I'd grab Tung Sol; those came in a new 2555X and they sounded almost as good as the vintage 34s I have, at least in that circuit. I haven't liked JJ 34s in anything other than a Wizard; those were the EL34L...I've hated the EL34L in a Marshall though.
But the JJ KT77 and JJ 6CA7 do sound damn good in the Jubilees I've owned for a little different tone than a 34. Deeper and tighter lows; a bit less mids to my ears.
 
Pretty sure Friedman uses EH EL34 for all new amps so that says something. He was having issues with JJs
 
I just recently ordered tubes, 2 sets of EL34 and a set of 6CA7's... I realized once again that I am a 6CA7 guy. They just kick! I like the highs. VH anyone? The EH6AC7's are particularly crispy to my ear though so the JJ's surprisingly sound right to me.
 
I recommend never working a "normal" job. Worst thing for a guitar player...sorry I went off topic :lol: :LOL:
 
blackie13":2b6ym41e said:
I have a moded 2204 and I used for years the RFTs EL34's...

Very classic sound...I recently changed the EL34's for 6550(NP TADs)...

Will not go back to EL34's...
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I've owned a lot of JMP and JCM800's... all with EL34's and NEVER kept them for more than a few months. A few years ago I got a 1980 JMP with GE 6550's. I'm going on close to 4 years with it. I'd never buy one with EL34's again. Nope!
 
Right here.

They are burned in and matched and sound killer in a Marshall. They are not JJ. They are black base Tesla. I have had just about all the old tubes. For 80 bucks you cannot go wrong. Well worth every cent. PM if you want the info on where.


E34L Tesla $80/pair
 
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