EL 84 recommendations

[martinw]

Get the bias tweaked. It's a quick job and shouldn't cost much.
I've had customers who gig these amps and weren't bothered about changing valves every 3 months, but the lack of reliability is a problem.
They are biased way too hot by any measure.

[jpfamps]

Given the macho biasing of almost all modern EL84 amps (the Blues Junior is not the only culprit) no brand of tube is going to last very long!

Yes, most manufacturers give them a real hammering. My PB is 21W static dissipation in a Marshall 18W reissue.

Mind you I'm working on a Traynor YGM3 with 450V B+ so I my well have a new record tomorrow! Fortunately this amp is fixed bias so I will be able to adjust if down to something more sensible.