1 Topic by Bluesbreaker (edited by Bluesbreaker 2011-04-28 11:19:45)

  • Registered: 2009-01-01
  • Posts: 665

Topic: Best EL34 tube for Jubilee type amp?

I've had my Ceriatone 2550 for about 7 months now. Very happy with it but now I suspect the power tubes are going south. The amp has become lifeless with boomy tone, lack of highs and the overdriven sound lacks harmonics and sustain.
All this seems to indicate failing power tubes, right? I've had the stock JJ EL34Ls in there but I'm willing to experiment. So what EL34 tube type would you recommend for the Jubilee? JJs again or something else? Should be new production tubes. I don't have the $$$ for NOS tubes.

2 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2011-04-28 12:13:13)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Best EL34 tube for Jubilee type amp?

Eurotubes has lots of JJ variations depending on the gain you want. high gain, santana smooth, low gain, whatever...
http://eurotubes.com/

I haven't bought tubes from here yet, but there's much brand variety.
http://thetubestore.com/

your description reminds me of my tubes right now. I have the bass rolled way down. I should probably go shopping for some new tubes too!

I use Rivera, and I always loved Svetlana Winged C's over JJ's even though JJ's are my most recent tube choice. I'll be going back. I don't use Sovtek or Groove Tubes anymore. I think Sovteks are nice and heavy duty but the tone isn't there as much as other choices. Keep in mind I don't have a Silver Jub, so this might or might not be relevant.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
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  • Registered: 2011-03-20
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Re: Best EL34 tube for Jubilee type amp?

Svetlana Winged C mate, everybody raves about them, I've got JJ's in my Matchless at present but winged C's are on my to buy list. I know a guy who builds one off high dollar amps, he wont use anything else.  smile

  • Registered: 2009-01-01
  • Posts: 665

Re: Best EL34 tube for Jubilee type amp?

I read good things about the Winged C. The tubestore describes it as having "lots of clean headroom ... with a smooth transition into breakup". Hmm, not sure if that is what I want (the extra clean headroom). I liked the warmth, crunch, and harmonics of the JJ EL34L.
Has anyone tried the TAD EL34B-STR?
http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/product_in … anguage=en

5 Reply by Bluesbreaker (edited by Bluesbreaker 2011-04-29 03:51:09)

  • Registered: 2009-01-01
  • Posts: 665

Re: Best EL34 tube for Jubilee type amp?

The "Winged C" seems to be the one to go for: http://www.watfordvalves.com/cgi-bin/do … ort_46.pdf
They don't come cheap, though http://www.tube-town.net/ttstore/produc … ching.html
Has anyone tried the Tung-Sol EL34B? http://thetubestore.com/tungsolel34.html

I was going to avoid that question, but does anyone know type of EL34 Joe uses?

6 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2011-04-29 07:59:45)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Best EL34 tube for Jubilee type amp?

BluesB....

The Winged C description in your .pdf link was very positive, but I real the Mullard EL34 one first, and it boasted as the best audio + guitar tube hands down. I've never tried Mullard EL34s but now I'm tempted to maybe give those a try.

At the Tube Store, two matched "svetlana" Winged C tubes are $80... it IS expensive!
http://thetubestore.com/el341.html

The "new" Mullard EL34 in comparison is $45 for a pair.
http://thetubestore.com/mullardel34.html

I've tried Tung-Sol 12AX7's and they were a good tube but noisy. I figure some come through that are like that, but I had two of them, and the JJ's were a LOT quieter when you tap on them.

What's funny about this is the branding. Mullards aren't what they used to be because they were bought out. Winged C is a different brand of Svetlana, and I'm unsure if Svetlana is even a brand itself anymore. It really starting to remind of the guitar strings industry... slap a different label on them but the strings come from the same factory. Or is this all just conspiracy theory?  lol

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: Burlington, Ont Canada
  • Registered: 2010-04-01
  • Posts: 365

Re: Best EL34 tube for Jubilee type amp?

I live 5 minutes from the Tubestore and know the guys pretty well. Go for the Genelex Gold Lions.

http://thetubestore.com/goldlionkt77.html

I put a couple a couple of Gold Lion 12ax7's into V1 and V2 of my DSL100 and it sounded like a brand new amp, so I replaced all of tubes with Gold Lions, and while it broke the bank so to speak,  the amp sounds so good I can plug straight in with no pedals at all and it sounds brilliant. Now add a Tubescreamer and a delay.... cool

Gits: '03 Gibson Historic R7 Goldtop, '06 Gibson R8 Plaintop, MIJ '62 RI Strat,  and others...
Amps: '99 Marshall 1987x Plexi RI, 1969 Fender Super Reverb

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  • Registered: 2008-10-02
  • Posts: 373

Re: Best EL34 tube for Jubilee type amp?

I Have Winged C in my Jub and I love them, I had JJ in the power tubes before and the Winged C seem to just deliever a much smoother and clearer overdrive and clean. At least to my ears.