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im just starting to learn about tubes and whatnot..

i think electro just buy tubes from one of the big companies ..test them to match their standards and just put their labels on them right?

which of the electro's are actually worth getting.

eh is sovtek

The EH12AX7s are okay. I really like their 6CA7s. They have 95% of the GT 6CA7's mojo at 1/3 the price.


Originally Posted by jvegasi think electro just buy tubes from one of the big companies ..test them to match their standards and just put their labels on them right?

That's GrooveTubes you're thinking of.

The EH EL-34 is pretty decent.

I love EH EL-34s and the only thing that compares to their 12AX7 is the GT 12AX7M (at 3x the price). Re-tubing my new Triamp with GTs would leave me eating ramen for a month. (11 12AX7s x $23 each = OUCH.)

In the right amp the El34 and 6ca7 big botts sound great. In the wrong amp they can be bright with a lot of upper mids. I have them in two Traynors and my Laney Pro Tube. I think the 6ca7 is the best thing going in new tubes outside of the TAD 6l6. I cannot stand the EH 6l6, very hard and very bright.

I can't recommend their 6V6s - too many reliability problems.

The EH 6v6 are pretty good in lower voltage amps like a Fender Tweed Deluxe (5E3), but the screens can melt in higher voltage amps like Blackface Deluxe Reverbs.

I prefer the JJ 6v6, even though the EH looks more like a traditional 6v6.Ken

i think it depends on the amp. i don't like the EH EL-34s on my traynor(i tried 2 sets). the best i tried so far are the SED winged quot;cquot; EL-34s next is the Groove Tubes Chinese big bottle EL-34/6CA7(i don't know but this one is not on their website anymore).


Originally Posted by GroundhogKenThe EH 6v6 are pretty good in lower voltage amps like a Fender Tweed Deluxe (5E3), but the screens can melt in higher voltage amps like Blackface Deluxe Reverbs.

I prefer the JJ 6v6, even though the EH looks more like a traditional 6v6.Originally Posted by CurlyI can't recommend their 6V6s - too many reliability problems.

Good to know!

As far as I'm concerned, no single company makes the best tubes. They're kinda all over the rode in that some may make a great 6L6, but their preamp tubes suck, for example. It depends on which specific tubes you're needing. It's also a subjective thing when you get to the part about how they sound. Reliability is easy to grade, but grading good tone depends on what you're wanting to hear.

My experience with EHs come from 6l6s and 12ax7s only. IMHO: they sound really good when test playing, it´s all there, bass, mids, treble, pinch harmonics. Compare them with other brands; they are best. But, for some reason, I don´t like them when playing with a band. Sometimes they sound harsh, or simply quot;not to my likingquot;. Can´t explain why, really.
Today I use SEDs 6l6s in the power section, and different 12ax7s in the preamp. GE, Sovtek 12ax7 LPS, JJ ECC83, and so on. The preamp tubes are not so expensive; one can buy some different brands and test back and forth, until one find what fits for the amp/guitar/pedals and taste.

I like em,

I use the 12AX7's in various amps in certain spots.

I have heard good things about the EL34's.

EH makes very good stuff, I sell a lot of them.

I spend more time than most probably trying out different tubes in amps to get the best tone. Here's what I've found. In general, I end up using a mix of brands. The differences between the brands is subtle usually, I just start mixing and matching them until I find the quot;magicquot; combination. Sometimes that combination is not what I would have guessed it would be. Each circuit is different and it just takes some experimentation to find the best tubes for each amp, just take a mixture of tubes and put your listening ears on and you'll find the best for your amp. I've also found some amps that just sound pretty much the same no matter what I put in them, and some that sound radically different with just a few different preamp tubes, it's all just on a case by case basis.

I use a lot of JJ and EH stuff. For V1 spot tubes, here's the big winners in my opinion.
JJ ecc803's
Tung Sol 12ax7
GT 12ax7M

However the EH 12ax7 reacts real well in some of my marshalls, it's a good all-purpose 12ax7, might not be the best choice for fenders as it has a fairly robust gain structure. For preamp tubes in fenders, JJ is the way to go, not for heavy gain, but nice full vintage fender tone. I've read a lot of people find these to be quot;darkquot;, I haven't had that experience with them. I've found the EH 6l6's to be good fender power tubes, their EL34's usually sound very good in marshalls.

I love their 6L6 in my BF Bassman, their EL34 is great in my Convertible 60, and their 6CA7's sound good in my buddy's Musicman HD 65 115.


Originally Posted by RevolutionManEH makes very good stuff, I sell a lot of them.

I use a lot of JJ and EH stuff. For V1 spot tubes, here's the big winners in my opinion.
JJ ecc803's
Tung Sol 12ax7
GT 12ax7M

Are Ecc83 same as the 12AX7 ?
Thought of getting mine changed. Cuz the clean is distorting at 4 onwards
Looking at the JJ Ecc83s, else if the 12AX7 are compatible, the EHX ones are not too bad either. Advise ?

Hi, Yes JJ still uses the old code for their 12ax7, they call them ecc83's, same spec. Some companies still call them 7025's also, they're all interchangeable, ecc83, 12ax7, and 7025.

Also, to my ears, the EH 12ax7 has slightly more gain than the JJ ecc83, but they're very similar overall.


Originally Posted by The Golden BoyGood to know!

very good to know! I'm getting a fresh set of JJ's right now before my DRRI explodes!