EL34-SED/Winged C vs EL34BSTR

[Ventura]

I put some New Winged C's into my Mesa Mark V.

EL34's.

I dialed in John Petrucci's settings on his website.

Played it for 30 seconds and the sound cut out.
I checked the tubes and one was brighter...much brighter.

shut the amp down, and switched around the tubes, just to see what the deal was, amp or tubes, as I also blew some seimens/Mesa STR450's recently in the amp.

turned amp back on, and a different position and tube lit up bright.
shut amp down, but it had already blown a fuse.

replaced fuse, put the stock 6L6's back in, and turned back on. no sound.
it's in the shop getting fixed.

I'm not very happy with Winged c's at all right now.

I read this - and man, mojo sent... But I can't be totally convinced it's the tubes fault. First off, can you swap between 6L6's and EL34's without a serious re-bias or a chassis toggle switch to change the overall plate voltages? Sounds more fuse related - something got fried. But granted, tubes DO blow, they're not immune to these things happening. New tubes can blow - cheap, expensive, NOS, you name it... It's how they function once they're up and running well that's the question here.

I know jack about the Mesa's, but the first thing that came to mind was is it possible to just swap between the two types no problemo??

Hope it gets sorted...soon.
V.

 

[Peter Diezel]

EL34BHT

 

[FourT6and2]

I prefer the Ruby EL34 BHT in my VH4. Currently have SED =C= but I think I will go back to Ruby. The SED's sound a bit muddy, undefined and... bland. The Ruby's had more growl and bark. The difference between the two is subtle, but I notice it.

 

[BERNI]

bht are good for me...and peter, you know i tried almost every year herbert , right now are more reliable, and sound good, maybe not so growly than olders, but less problems...
like i said a month ago, my main herbert( a recently one, with no external bias) is sounding so different that the other... i changed all preamp tubes between them but nothing...maybe the power tubes? this amp sound more thin in mids. but has a lot od bottom end and i need to put the bass controls at 10 o clock... the other its more equilibrated, and has more punch.

what you recommend ? turn up the bias?

best

 

[Ventura]

EL34BHT

With all due respect Herr Peter, I appreciate your concern - but as you know, I'm one of your more rebellious children - I'm still sticking to my =C= 6550's in my VH4S

I have an XTC for the EL34 scene

V.

 

[King Crimson]

EL34BHT

2-1/2 years later...

 

[Bato]

My Herbert sounds lovely with BHT´s!!!

 

[bronz79]

It can be strange but with my Herbert el34bht and all ruby ac5 preamp i've found my tone..no more tubes questions on which can sounds better:
only playing and enjoying music.

..but now that my amp tone and fx are allright i'm gassing for new guitars..damn!

 

[mightywarlock]

There is a Bias Switch on the back of the amp for EL34 or 6L6.
The switch was in the correct position.

I put some New Winged C's into my Mesa Mark V.

EL34's.

I dialed in John Petrucci's settings on his website.

Played it for 30 seconds and the sound cut out.
I checked the tubes and one was brighter...much brighter.

shut the amp down, and switched around the tubes, just to see what the deal was, amp or tubes, as I also blew some seimens/Mesa STR450's recently in the amp.

turned amp back on, and a different position and tube lit up bright.
shut amp down, but it had already blown a fuse.

replaced fuse, put the stock 6L6's back in, and turned back on. no sound.
it's in the shop getting fixed.

I'm not very happy with Winged c's at all right now.

I read this - and man, mojo sent... But I can't be totally convinced it's the tubes fault. First off, can you swap between 6L6's and EL34's without a serious re-bias or a chassis toggle switch to change the overall plate voltages? Sounds more fuse related - something got fried. But granted, tubes DO blow, they're not immune to these things happening. New tubes can blow - cheap, expensive, NOS, you name it... It's how they function once they're up and running well that's the question here.

I know jack about the Mesa's, but the first thing that came to mind was is it possible to just swap between the two types no problemo??

Hope it gets sorted...soon.
V.

 

[Oz Hofstatter]

2 years with 6 x EL34 SED Winged C and no problem.
I never tried other power tube.
I like the bite of SED....
Cheers,
Oz

 

[reussen]

Hmm... Proud Einstein owner here! It came with B-STR's when I got it. Changed to SED EL34's, as I was reading a lot of good stuff about them. Since then, I have been fiddling with pre-amp tubes, since I could not get the exact sound I wanted. Then, a couple of months ago, I switched back to B-STR's (I think these are Shuguang). Instant satisfaction.

I don't know.. I guess that SED's seem to be more reliable (or so I hear), although I never had issues with the B-STR's. I will not be changing back to SED's, though. They seem to make my amp sound sterile... less alive. But that's just my opinion!

Anyway, IF the poll were still open, I would go with B-STR's. Ruby, Chuguang, whatever..

 

[volkair]

Hello...

Anyone tried to mix up =C= and BHT? I have =C= in my JMP 1987, sounds the best I can imagine, but I was thinking about trying out the EL34 BHT as Peter S. recommended. Perhaps the =C= would do an interesting job in my Einstein? By the way, I´m satisfied with my Einstein´s sound, it would just be an experiment...

 

[King Crimson]

EL34BHT

EL34B-STR

 

[snappinnecks]

Ruby EL34BHT