New to RT, EL34 Shiva or 20th A. KT88 Shiva?

[esizer]

Hey there everyone, new to RT. Long time HCAF (and now GAB) member. I used the search function quite a bit but can't really find the information I'm looking for.

I've always liked the Shiva sound and was looking at either getting an EL34 Shiva or the 20th Anniversary Shiva w/ KT88's. I've had a hard time finding good clips of the KT88 20th A version and I don't have the option to try one out. What is the general consensuses on the differences between the two, both tube and feature wise? It seems like the 20th A version could be more versatile. I know I can mod the 20th for EL34's but that's a whole other can of worms.

I play mostly alternative to modern rock, big time grunge head. I am currently playing an Orange OR100 that sounds great but is just too heavy to lug around and, at the end of the day, just isn't the sound I'm going for.

Would I be better suited with the regular EL34 version or is the 20th Anniversary worth the extra scratch?

 

[Ventura]

The 20thA is a great series of amps, whether it be the X or the Sheevs.

What's great about the 20thA series is the additional tone shaping capabilities, the extra circuit tweaks, and c'mon, they're damn sexy.

I haven't been very keen on the 88s in many things, but with the TwinJets and the Shiva, you know, they sound right and they make sense. They're big bottles with tremendous facility for headroom, lowend, and clarity across the gain spectrum. Sure, sure, EL34s break up sweetly, but that's in tandem with cranking the MV and channel volumes, I am always curious as to how many people truly dime their amps - as this is where the difference between bottles will most be noticed. For mic'ing, lower level playing, jammin' etc, the bottles play less of a role (IMHO, YMMV). But with the amps that Reinhold equips with 88s, I feel they're a good match. If I wanted an EL34 Sheevs, I'd simply go with the stock Shiva, rather than a retro-fit 20thA Shiva.

Just sayin'.

 

[Guitarvc]

The standard Shiva has less gain, less options but sounds more organic to me. I like the 6L6 Shiva the best.