Einstein Tube recommendations - To replace my Rubys?

[Neuro]

Hey all,

My Einstein is in need of a tube change. I love the Ruby tubes that were stock, but I wanted to know some opinions about tubes that might be considered "improvements" to the Ruby's tone?

For reference, I'm not playing very heavy tones. I mostly use the "Texas" mode as my main sound for now, and play a variety of music from country to praise music to hard rock to blues.

Thanks!

 

[Neuro]

Anybody?

 

[RedB4Black]

I like the SED el34s in my Herbert, but the Ruby's are nice too.

 

[duesentrieb]

Other EL34STR chinese
KT77 by JJ to have more an EL34 with 6L6 character
SEDs =C= EL34
Peter's favourite atm: EL34L by JJ

 

[Duolos]

Other EL34STR chinese
KT77 by JJ to have more an EL34 with 6L6 character
SEDs =C= EL34
Peter's favourite atm: EL34L by JJ

+1

 

[RaulTx]

Other EL34STR chinese
KT77 by JJ to have more an EL34 with 6L6 character
SEDs =C= EL34
Peter's favourite atm: EL34L by JJ

Hello! As i'm a total newbie on tubes... Could you please explain the differences between those ones? (... how to explain tone with words?? )
Thanks!!

 

[duesentrieb]

EL34STR: fat sounding tube, typical EL34s character, nice high mids, scratchy presence
KT77: more bass, less scratchy
SED: pretty much like the EL34STR, but a bit (just a bit) more elegant sounding, less bass too (IMO)
EL34L: typical EL34, pretty much (IMO) in the middle between EL34s and the KT77.

Besides all the sound there are two more things which should be taken into consideration:

- a good reliable tube seller, who selects the tubes, testes them and sells you only "good" stuff
- a tube that will last longer than just 3 months. This surely depends on your bias settings and working conditions (temp., how many gigs, how loud, . . .) but also on the brand. There is a reason why Peter prefers SEDs and JJs now - they have thicker glass and are more robust built - and of course - they are available in sufficient quantities.

HTH

 

[steppenwolf3080]

Just take a look around the forum and or use the search function. This question has been answered many many times even by the developer, Peter Diezel.

Every tube is different in different circuits. I'm a firm believer that the circuit surrounding the tube is much more crucial to the sound than the actual tube. This seems to be even more the case if you stay within the same tube category, say EL34. The differences are subtle, sometimes not so subtle but you will have to try it out for yourself because comments on the sound are always subjective...
I absolutley disliked the =C= 6L6GC in a Soldano SLO100 but really liked them in a Fender Twin.
So if you have the money, buy them all and try them out and pick the ones you like best. You can still sell the others.... If not so, go with the tubes Peter Diezel recommends at the moment: the JJE34L. I really like them in my Einstein, but that's obviously subjective.
BTW, preamp tubes, especially the V1 position has an influence, too!
Best,
Stefan

edit: düsentrieb, you were faster +1 what you just wrote

 

[RaulTx]

Thanks Olaf and steppenwolf for your reply!! Very useful

Just take a look around the forum and or use the search function. This question has been answered many many times even by the developer, Peter Diezel.

Yes, you're right, sorry... Maybe an sticky thread about tubes could be a good idea.. not to repeat the questions everyday...

Regards!!

 

[Neuro]

Thanks Olaf and steppenwolf for your reply!! Very useful

Just take a look around the forum and or use the search function. This question has been answered many many times even by the developer, Peter Diezel.

Yes, you're right, sorry... Maybe an sticky thread about tubes could be a good idea.. not to repeat the questions everyday...

Regards!!

Yes! I agree! Sorry for the laziness... A sticky thread would be awesome though... I'll do some searching.

Thanks for the response guys. I might try the JJ's or just stick w/ the Ruby's