NOS or JJ Tubes?

[Hendog]

I am considering a retube (and a general tube purchase) from Eurotubes. The guys at Eurotubes seem to think that new JJ Tubes are as good as good NOS tubes.

Anyone have any opinions?

 

[Larry]

I'll be re-tubing my Frenzel with JJ Tubes from Euro-Tubes. From what I have read
they are just as good without spending an arm and a leg.

6 x JJ 12AX7
2 x JJ EL34
2 x JJ 5U4GB


Also check out this link:

http://www.eurotubes.com/euro-h.htm

 

[Jimmyb]

I think a lot of it also depends on what NOS valves you're using.

Having said that, seems a good way to spend a lot of money and probably not notice the difference....

(well, for me anyway)

 

[luke2joey]

Hi,

You can go for JJ with no problem. I think they have the best tubes on the market today (but that is only my two cents).
I am using them for years with great pleasure. They are very 3D, very musical, and (most important): very reliable and consistent. The sound quality and building quality are second to none.
I am using them in the Boogies and the amps really come to live. You may experience new possibilities, esp. with you EBMM!! Your amp is going to react more to your playing.
Just make sure you get the right types: there are different types of pre-amp tubes; it just depends on what you want, what kind of music you play, etc.
You can find info on the site.
Highly recommended. Never used anything else since.
It is my humble opinion that some NOS tubes are highly over-priced for the quality you get (because it is something 'special').
Never tried them anymore after trying JJ's, never needed it to.
Good luck.

 

[luke2joey]

Some added info: no, I am not an endrorser

 

[catdaddy]

I used the JJ 6L6GCs in a MkIV Boogie for years and in a Egnater Mod 50 for the past couple years and loved them. I have four JJ 6V6s to put in my Rivera Venus 6 but haven't switched them for the Electro Harmonix that came in yet. If the JJs make it sound any better than it does now I don't know if I can stand it.

 

[beej]

It's tough to make a blanket statement about what's best. Depends on the amp itself (some amps are harder on certain tubes, some are very sensitive to tube changes, others not so much), what tubes you're talking about and what sound you're after.

There are tons of tubes on the market. When you've got your amp, good idea to buy a few different types over time (preamp tubes are easiest for a quick swapping) and let your ears decide. I find what works best for me in one amp doesn't always work well in my other amps.

That said, I've always been pretty happy with JJs for 12AX7s and EL84s. (My Guytron eats EL84s and the JJs have a decent life span while still sounding pretty ood.)

 

[GHWelles]

I don't know, I tried JJ 6V6 tubes in my Marshall Studio 15.
No good, too hard.
I use RCA 6V6 blackplates. Monsters. MUCH better.

 

[eudaimonia]

I like JJs. They definitely sound better in my amp than the Sovteks it came with. I'm sure there are better tubes out there for $500 a pop, but I doubt my ear is sensitive enough to notice the difference.

 

[Larry]

but I doubt my ear is sensitive enough to notice the difference.

Same for me

 

[JoeDogInKC]

What about Groove Tubes?

 

[Slingy]

I believe Groove Tubes are mostly relabeled Sovteks, or they used to be. Nothing wrong with them at all. I prefered my Groove Tubes in power section over the JJ's but I stuck with the JJ preamp ones.

 

[candid_x]

Totally agree with Beej. My answer to the question is a big "it depends".

Eurotubes are all about JJ.

Many nos tubes, especially 12AX7's, tend to be microphonic. Just because it's labeled 1966 doesn't assure tone nirvana; could be tone hell. Further, that $50+ tube may sound glorious in one amp and ratty in another.

Second, not every tube location or V spot sounds best with the same tube. Each spot has its own function, and should be addressed this way. V1 has the most influence in the signal chain, so often I use a particular tube - usually an nos JAN Phillips 12AX7 in V1, if I'm going after a smoother distortion in that amp. Yet, that same JAN Phillips in my Fender SCXD sounds terrible.

Of current production, I've used JJ 6L6 and 12AX7's more than any other. A Truly great 6L6. But I also use SED winged C's, and in that amp they sound better to me than the JJ's.

I'm really excited about the reissue Tung-Sol 12AX7. JJ's lean toward the sweet and harmonic, but can lack an authoritative punch. Tung-Sol also has rich content, but have lots more punch. Unlike some hi-gain tubes, they're blissfully quite, and work as well in a vintage amp as in a modern hi-gainer.

Hendog, what kind of amp are you talking about?

 

[candid_x]

I believe Groove Tubes are mostly relabeled Sovteks, or they used to be. Nothing wrong with them at all. I prefered my Groove Tubes in power section over the JJ's but I stuck with the JJ preamp ones.

Groove Tube labels are from all over the place. Just depends on exactly which tube. A GT ECC83S (Euro for 12AX7) is identical to a JJ ECC83S, for example.

 

[candid_x]

Tung-Sol also makes a great 6V6, more vintage vibe than the JJ, which is hotter and approaches the sound of a 6L6.

 

[Lefty71]

JJ's in my Recto

I ordered some JJ 6L6's for my Boogie Recto a couple of years ago. Great customer service, fast shipping. They sound great, highly recommended.

 

[buckethead777]

I used to use JJ EL34's and i really liked them, but i'm running GT tubes now, and wow! i dg 'em more

 

[slukather]

I've always seemed to dig JJ tubes more than any others, l've always retubed all my amps with them.

Scott.

 

[edstorer]

OP never did tell us what model amp or type of tube he was contemplating.

I have a Fender Deluxe Reverb RI, an Allen Sweet Spot (that I built), and a built-to-order Anderson 20R-112. I run JJ 6V6's in all of them and I'm very pleased with the sound and performance.

Preamp tubes: My Anderson has Ruby Tubes 12AX7's, and the Allen has Tung-Sols. To my ear, the Ruby's are a little "sweeter" and the Tung-Sol's are more aggressive. The Fender has the stock Groove Tubes and they aren't bad either (but I haven't looked to see which of the 4 flavors of G-T 12AX7's they are).

I have two Fender amps running 6L6's and I put TAD 6L6-STR's in and they sound great.

I've had good luck dealing with The Tube Store and they have pretty good reivews of most of the popular tubes. You should check out their website before you buy.

 

[candid_x]

Ruby's are a little "sweeter" and the Tung-Sol's are more aggressive.

Agree, more forward and aggressive. But they're also touch sensitive and clean up musically. The JJ and Ruby are musical but not that forwardly dynamic.

PS: might as well give my tube guy a plug. www.dougstubes.com