I'm going to go with setting the amp up for EL34's. I've always had great success with Mullards and Telefunkens in my 18 watter so I will definately choose some high quality tubes.
I've found that NOS preamp tubes usually have a much smoother tone than any of the new stuff which has a harder and brighter edge to them. Since these amps have 3 gain stages I'm thinking I want all of them to be NOS tubes as well. I have to say I like newer tubes in my 18 has it gives it a "harder" edge.
			
			
									
									
						Express 6V6 vs EL34's - Pro's and Con's.
Moderators: pompeiisneaks, Colossal
- 
				fierce_carrot
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2006 4:34 pm
- Location: Des Moines, IA
- 
				philmanatee
- Posts: 245
- Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2006 5:29 am
Re: Express 6V6 vs EL34's - Pro's and Con's.
When I first got my express together I tested it with a set of jj el-34's and then swapped to some GE 6V6's. A friend and I both liked the 6V6's better. Then I put in a set of amperex EL-34's, WOW! That was the sound, I've tried a few other tubes in there but I am pretty sold on the amperex's. It took me a while to find the right preamp tubes. A lot of the tubes that sounded great in other amps were noisy in the express. Phil