Power tubes for Blues Jr.

ASC67 · November 6th, 2009, 12:42 PM

The recent thread on how often to change your tubes has me thinking that I should get some new power tubes for my BJr. What brand are considered the best for EL84's ?

Al Watsky · November 6th, 2009, 12:57 PM

JJ's

Billm · November 6th, 2009, 01:49 PM

The stock Sovtek/Groove Tubes are decent, but everybody loves to hate what comes with the amp. I use the Sovteks or JJs.

Hiker · November 6th, 2009, 01:52 PM

The cost of a matched set of JJ tubes is about the same as two that are not. Try them.

Billm · November 6th, 2009, 03:40 PM

Two that are not JJs or two that are not matched?

ASC67 · November 6th, 2009, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billm

The stock Sovtek/Groove Tubes are decent, but everybody loves to hate what comes with the amp. I use the Sovteks or JJs.

Bill which of the two do you prefer ?
Do either one provide for more clean head room ?

Billm · November 6th, 2009, 04:29 PM

Neither makes a significant difference in headroom, since most of the distortion comes from the preamp stage. If your amp is stock, no adjustable bias, you can order up a pair of cool-running tubes that will stay clean a little longer when you're playing loud. But nothing's going to make the Blues Junior a clean headroom amp other than major modifications.

ASC67 · November 6th, 2009, 05:12 PM

Thanks everyone , I ordered some JJ's

Hiker · November 8th, 2009, 12:18 AM

My suggestion to the OP was that the extra cost of two JJ matched EL84 tubes might be worth it, since the additional cost of matching at Mojo Musical Supply, Antique Electronics, and Tube Depot doesn't seem like that much extra cost (Example: $1.50 extra to match a pair at Mojo). Some prefer to install matched new (same type) tubes in the power sockets. This is important to me since I give attention to cleans and headroom, and is certainly not important to everyone, or perhaps not for every application.

Given the Blues Jr. stock characteristics or any mods, each user has 'tube' choices to make when replacing them. BillM has shared a great deal (on forums) about his experience with the B Jr. amp.

BillM, the vague comment in my previous post: two matched JJ EL84 vs. two non-matched JJ EL84 tubes. Thanks.

Billm · November 8th, 2009, 02:05 PM

Heh. I don't know anyone who buys unmatched output tubes anymore. Unmatched tubes can give you a bit of grindy distortion, but it also removes the tubes' ability to cancel common-mode hum.

BiggerJohn · November 8th, 2009, 02:43 PM

Tone is so subjective. Beauty is in the ear of the beholder. What sounds good to you may sound like poo to me.

You know, really, EL84s are not that expensive and are easily obtained. What you might consider is gett ing a few matched pairs of various brands and trying them and decide for yourself which ones you like the best. Keep the others as emergency spares.

franchelB · November 8th, 2009, 05:44 PM

JJs here.

patrickhowell · November 8th, 2009, 11:35 PM

Eurotubes will sell you a matched pair of JJs for $19, and if you want more clean headroom, Bob can find you a pair that will help you out in that department. It won't make your Blues Jr into a Twin, but it could help out some.

November 6th, 2009, 12:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
ASC67 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Minnesota Age: 42 Posts: 277	Power tubes for Blues Jr. The recent thread on how often to change your tubes has me thinking that I should get some new power tubes for my BJr. What brand are considered the best for EL84's ? __________________ Steve

November 6th, 2009, 12:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
Al Watsky Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: New Jersey Age: 58 Posts: 704	JJ's __________________ Livin' in the Past ,Present and Future is takin' up all my time..........

November 6th, 2009, 01:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
Hiker Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,050 5 Photos	The cost of a matched set of JJ tubes is about the same as two that are not. Try them. __________________ Hammer On!

November 6th, 2009, 05:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
ASC67 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Minnesota Age: 42 Posts: 277	Thanks everyone , I ordered some JJ's __________________ Steve Last edited by ASC67; November 6th, 2009 at 07:46 PM..

November 8th, 2009, 12:18 AM	#9 (permalink)
Hiker Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,050 5 Photos	My suggestion to the OP was that the extra cost of two JJ matched EL84 tubes might be worth it, since the additional cost of matching at Mojo Musical Supply, Antique Electronics, and Tube Depot doesn't seem like that much extra cost (Example: $1.50 extra to match a pair at Mojo). Some prefer to install matched new (same type) tubes in the power sockets. This is important to me since I give attention to cleans and headroom, and is certainly not important to everyone, or perhaps not for every application. Given the Blues Jr. stock characteristics or any mods, each user has 'tube' choices to make when replacing them. BillM has shared a great deal (on forums) about his experience with the B Jr. amp. BillM, the vague comment in my previous post: two matched JJ EL84 vs. two non-matched JJ EL84 tubes. Thanks. __________________ Hammer On!

November 6th, 2009, 01:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
Billm Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Jersey Age: 63 Posts: 1,113 4 Photos	The stock Sovtek/Groove Tubes are decent, but everybody loves to hate what comes with the amp. I use the Sovteks or JJs.

November 6th, 2009, 03:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
Billm Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Jersey Age: 63 Posts: 1,113 4 Photos	Two that are not JJs or two that are not matched?

November 6th, 2009, 04:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
Billm Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Jersey Age: 63 Posts: 1,113 4 Photos	Neither makes a significant difference in headroom, since most of the distortion comes from the preamp stage. If your amp is stock, no adjustable bias, you can order up a pair of cool-running tubes that will stay clean a little longer when you're playing loud. But nothing's going to make the Blues Junior a clean headroom amp other than major modifications.

November 8th, 2009, 02:05 PM	#10 (permalink)
Billm Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Jersey Age: 63 Posts: 1,113 4 Photos	Heh. I don't know anyone who buys unmatched output tubes anymore. Unmatched tubes can give you a bit of grindy distortion, but it also removes the tubes' ability to cancel common-mode hum.

November 8th, 2009, 02:43 PM	#11 (permalink)
BiggerJohn TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: California Posts: 85	Tone is so subjective. Beauty is in the ear of the beholder. What sounds good to you may sound like poo to me. You know, really, EL84s are not that expensive and are easily obtained. What you might consider is gett ing a few matched pairs of various brands and trying them and decide for yourself which ones you like the best. Keep the others as emergency spares.

November 8th, 2009, 05:44 PM	#12 (permalink)
franchelB Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Irving, United States of Texas! Age: 45 Posts: 2,399	JJs here. __________________ Feel free to visit my homepage! http://www.myspace.com/francisbalagtas

November 8th, 2009, 11:35 PM	#13 (permalink)
patrickhowell Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lynchburg, VA Age: 25 Posts: 253	Eurotubes will sell you a matched pair of JJs for $19, and if you want more clean headroom, Bob can find you a pair that will help you out in that department. It won't make your Blues Jr into a Twin, but it could help out some.

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