J
JLH
Guest
Looking at all of the choices in tube manufacturer's, what is, in your experience the best sounding EL 84 tube (also consider cost/value)?
In the real world, outside of the bedroom, I vote for JJs. Very good tone and reasonable enough price-wise that I can replace them every 4 or 5 months. This you must do with ant EL84s if you are gigging regularly.
Mullards are great but Amperex El84 edge them out slightly in my book and they are very hard to get.
:lol The set I'm runnin' 'been goin' strong fer 5 YEARS, gig regularly/rehearsals/practice/pleasure! As the sayin' goes, "Buy cheap, Buy twice". ... Maybe, MORE! :wah
Its not that the JJs are blown, but given the wear and tear and heat prodeced by EL 84s, its better to be safe than sorry. That's amazing that those have lasted you 5 years, I could see it with 6L6's, but 84s? Maybe I should change my thinking on this. Anyone else had this kind of longevity? I'm talking regular rehearsals and a gig at least once a week.
Mullard are the best, the longest lasting...and yes, one of the most expensive. Worth it IMHO.
Cottage.....I had the orignal Mullards in my AC30 from 1965 to 1995...and I'm still not sure if replacing them was a good idea. :hmm