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Thread: EL84 V.S. EL34 Tube based amps?

  1. #1
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    Default EL84 V.S. EL34 Tube based amps?

    So, after reading ZMAN's thread on his possible trade for a new amp.

    It made me wonder what is the difference in sound & tone between
    a EL84 & EL34 tube based amps given everything else was similar speakers, electronics, power, pre amp etc etc etc?
    Maxi...................

    Bootsy Collins:
    I pledge allegiance to the funk, the whole funk, and nothing but the funk, so help me James, Sly and George, Amen!!

    Guitars: 2010 American Special HSS Strat, 2010 CIC Squire CV ThinLine Tele, & 2006 MIM FSR Strat.

    Basses: 1979 Peavey T-40, 2007 Ibanez SR 500, 2013 Ibanez SR375F, 2013 CIJ Fender Geddy Lee Jazz Bass, 2014 Sadowsky Will Lee VI, & 2014 Sadowsky Will Lee Metro V

    Amps: Mesa Boogie BASS STRATEGY:Eight:88, Aguliar DB 4X12, Augilar DB 751, Genz Benz CTR500-210T/Focus 1X15 CAB, Fender Hot Rod Deville 410, VHT Deliverance 60/VHT 2X12 fat Bottom Cab, & VOX DA20

    Effects: Boss ME-25, MXR Custom Baddass 78, MXR Custom Baddass modified O.D., Vox Joe Satriani Satchurator, MXR Phase 90, MXR Bass Chorus Deluxe/Octave Deluxe/Bass Compressor/Envelope Filter/, Way Huge Pork Loin

  2. #2
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    EL34 = Bright, bold and punchy with reasonable headroom in an old school circuit like a Marshall plexi.

    EL84 = A little darker and with earlier breakup. Just "grittier" sounding in a similar circuit like an 18 watt Marshall. Completely different in a Vox ACxx circuit because they're running flat out all the time.

    As ever, master volumes change everything (largely for the worse IMO).
    Electric: Fat strat > Korg PB > TS7 > DS1 > DD-20 > Cube 60 (Fender model)

    Acoustic: Guitar > microphone > audience

  3. #3
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    Thanks MarkB for clearing that up for me very good explanation.
    Maxi...................

    Bootsy Collins:
    I pledge allegiance to the funk, the whole funk, and nothing but the funk, so help me James, Sly and George, Amen!!

    Guitars: 2010 American Special HSS Strat, 2010 CIC Squire CV ThinLine Tele, & 2006 MIM FSR Strat.

    Basses: 1979 Peavey T-40, 2007 Ibanez SR 500, 2013 Ibanez SR375F, 2013 CIJ Fender Geddy Lee Jazz Bass, 2014 Sadowsky Will Lee VI, & 2014 Sadowsky Will Lee Metro V

    Amps: Mesa Boogie BASS STRATEGY:Eight:88, Aguliar DB 4X12, Augilar DB 751, Genz Benz CTR500-210T/Focus 1X15 CAB, Fender Hot Rod Deville 410, VHT Deliverance 60/VHT 2X12 fat Bottom Cab, & VOX DA20

    Effects: Boss ME-25, MXR Custom Baddass 78, MXR Custom Baddass modified O.D., Vox Joe Satriani Satchurator, MXR Phase 90, MXR Bass Chorus Deluxe/Octave Deluxe/Bass Compressor/Envelope Filter/, Way Huge Pork Loin

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by markb
    EL34 = Bright, bold and punchy with reasonable headroom in an old school circuit like a Marshall plexi.

    EL84 = A little darker and with earlier breakup. Just "grittier" sounding in a similar circuit like an 18 watt Marshall. Completely different in a Vox ACxx circuit because they're running flat out all the time.

    As ever, master volumes change everything (largely for the worse IMO).
    Markb, I take it you would agree that the EL84 description you give would work for a Peavey C-30 as well? I have not played a 18 Watt Marshall, but it sounds pretty close to a description of a 30, though the 30 might have a bit more room before breakup, yes?
    Steve Thompson
    Sun Valley, Idaho


    Guitars: Fender 60th Anniversary Std. Strat, Squier CVC Tele Hagstrom Viking Semi-hollow, Joshua beach guitar, Martin SPD-16TR Dreadnought
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    Effects and such: Boss: DS-1, CE-5, NS-2 and RC20XL looper, Digitech Bad Monkey, Korg AX1G Multi-effects, Berhinger: TU100 tuner, PB100 Clean Boost, Line 6 Toneport UX2, Electro Harmonix Little Big Muff Pi, DuhVoodooMan's Rabid Rodent Rat Clone, Zonkin Yellow Screamer Mk. II, MXR Carbon Copy Delay


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  5. #5
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    Well, I had a Delta Blues 210 and I'd say it broke up quite early compared to an EL34 or 6L6 based amp but that it was relative. The amp was already quite loud at the breakup point and certainly had that EL84 grit. My favourite amp for "baby Marshall" tones was my Fender Pro Junior.

    I played a C30 recently and it was incredibly lively. Hitting it with an SD-1 sent it way into saturation on the clean channel. My only recourse was to turn it up and control it from the guitar (well, that was my excuse ).
    Electric: Fat strat > Korg PB > TS7 > DS1 > DD-20 > Cube 60 (Fender model)

    Acoustic: Guitar > microphone > audience

  6. #6
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    The Pedavey C30 sounds quit fun!
    Maxi...................

    Bootsy Collins:
    I pledge allegiance to the funk, the whole funk, and nothing but the funk, so help me James, Sly and George, Amen!!

    Guitars: 2010 American Special HSS Strat, 2010 CIC Squire CV ThinLine Tele, & 2006 MIM FSR Strat.

    Basses: 1979 Peavey T-40, 2007 Ibanez SR 500, 2013 Ibanez SR375F, 2013 CIJ Fender Geddy Lee Jazz Bass, 2014 Sadowsky Will Lee VI, & 2014 Sadowsky Will Lee Metro V

    Amps: Mesa Boogie BASS STRATEGY:Eight:88, Aguliar DB 4X12, Augilar DB 751, Genz Benz CTR500-210T/Focus 1X15 CAB, Fender Hot Rod Deville 410, VHT Deliverance 60/VHT 2X12 fat Bottom Cab, & VOX DA20

    Effects: Boss ME-25, MXR Custom Baddass 78, MXR Custom Baddass modified O.D., Vox Joe Satriani Satchurator, MXR Phase 90, MXR Bass Chorus Deluxe/Octave Deluxe/Bass Compressor/Envelope Filter/, Way Huge Pork Loin

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