el34 comparision

[Rimy]

has anyone compared some new el34 from groove tube, electro harmonix and mullard reissue?

i don't know what to buy?
right now i've got the eh-el34 mullard design in my tw inspired amp.
is there a better choice?
i tried the jj's and some chinese el34b-str and i didn't like them.

thanks for your help.

[funkmeblue]

which JJ's did you try? I'm currently using the new mullards and like them. Did not care for the sovteks I tried

[stevek66]

NOS Seimens are what I use in my Express.I like those the most.
Steve

[67plexi]

El34 RFT Pre 1974 nos. If you want it to sound real.

[Rimy]

i don't really want to spend that money on nos tubes.
so what i am looking for, is el34's from the new production.
i know glen is using the gt-el34m and he is very happy with them.
just wanted to know how they sound compared to the mullard reissue and the electro harmonix.

the jj's i've had were the el34b.
the chinese el34b-str are from tube-town and they are to bright and don't have those rich harmonics when you run flat out.
and when you turn down the guitar volume down to 1-2 they loose that chimey touch.

[pureoldsound]

SED "winged C" EL34s

[dave g]

If you don't want to pay for NOS, Winged C are your best bet.

[drhulsey]

WInged C's here, too

[Ron Worley]

I used the Groove Tubes Mullard repro in my first Express and I cannot complain.....

I have NOS Seimens in there now, but the GT's were very acceptable. I think that Glen K. runs them as well. There were some reliability issues at one point, but none of 2 sets I bought had issues....

Ron

[Rimy]

thanks for your answers so far.
i just found some nos siemens el34 code 189 from TAD for 99,- Euro.
would anyone say they are good for that price?

[stevek66]

The Tube Store .com has them for 129.00 US.I don't know how much shipping would be from the states though.

Steve

[Fredaxis]

The Tube Store .com has them for 129.00 US.I don't know how much shipping would be from the states though.

Steve

So, 99€ seems not to be a bad price, considering the cost and risk to have them shipped across the ocean, better for you to buy from Germany.
I read and heard only rave reviews about the JJ KT77 (do a search at AX84.com), they are direct EL34 replacement, I haven't tried them yet but consider buing a pair as spares for my NOS Siemens

[Rimy]

right. i finally got to the point that i know: if i want the sound of nos tubes, i have to buy nos tubes.
by now, i am willing to pay about up to 150 €.
so what do you guys suggest?
i could get hold of some nos mullards xf2 from '67 unused,
or should i buy the nos siemens rft from tubeampdoctor?

do they sound simillar?

[tubetek]

Many (15 or so) years ago, I was lucky enough to pick up several matched quads of the TESLA (NOT JJ) E34L sets when they were still cheap. I've been really happy with them in Marshall-style circuits. I have a lightly used set of Siemans in my stash to compare them to; they hold their own better than anything else I've tried including the "holy grail" Mullard XF2. IF you can find 'em you won't be dissapointed. As for "current" production, Winged-C is as good as I've come across.
Tom

[Tubetwang]

Same here... Telsa EL34L

I also use Winged C ...solid and long lasting good sounding to me.