EL84 Tube shoot/out ...preference

[souljam]

Hi guys! Im interested in peoples experiences, opinions, preferences in EL84 JJ Tesla (Cryo) vs EL84L Harma (cryo). Also EL84 Mullard Reissue (Cryo) vs EL84 Harma Vintage (cryo).

Im looking to by a new set for my Laney VC30. I play a lot of clean finger picking style on my Fender Strat & Im not really bothered in turning the amp up & doing the old blues thang ...so early break up is not a priority for me but at the same time I do like that old smooth tone & do jam some Hendrix style riffs. So am very tempted to try the Mullards or Harma vintage, I know the Harma is based on the Mullard so am very curious in how they compare. But a good even clean sound is my main thing & Ive heard the JJ's demoed & was impressed. Mined you if I had the money I'd probably buy the Phillips El84 they sound great to my ears.

So anyones personal experiences/preferences would be most helpful

Cheers
Ed   

[HTH AMPS]

I just use these Philips ones in all the EL84 amps I get in for repair...  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EL84-PHILIPS-MATCHED-QUAD-4PCS-NOS-BOXED-/270919014448?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Valves_Vacuum_Tubes&hash=item3f14081830

At £64.00 a quad, they're only marginally more expensive than the cheapest EL84s out there.

These old Russian ones are cool too and are actually my personal favourites (and cheap at £22 a quad)... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6P14P-EL84-6BQ5-Tubes-NOS-MATCHED-QUAD/261290925484?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D286%26meid%3D3858166650754011669%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D1048%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D270919014448%26

Also, bear in mind that Watford Valves' prices are listed excluding VAT, so at £12 each, the standard Harma EL84 is gonna cost you £48, then around £6 P&P, so before VAT thats £54, and with VAT thats £64.80

[souljam]

Hi  HTH Amps, thank you for this info great stuff & the link too ! I didnt realise you could get Phillips EL84 at that price they were a lot more expensive on Watford Valves website. I was wondering what do you like about those old Russian Valves? Very curious!

Thanks again!!

[HTH AMPS]

Hi  HTH Amps, thank you for this info great stuff & the link too ! I didnt realise you could get Phillips EL84 at that price they were a lot more expensive on Watford Valves website. I was wondering what do you like about those old Russian Valves? Very curious!

Thanks again!!

The old Russian EL84s have lots of headroom and sound 'bigger' and punchier than most EL84s.  Plus, they're cheap - when I first started buying them you could get 12 for under £20.00.  They're a bit more these days, but still well worth the cash even if they were the same price as the other current production EL84s.