Looking for new EL34's. Thoughts?

[Justinginn]

I'm looking to retube my amp (tubes are getting tired and it's a good opportunity for an upgrade). 50 watt EL34-based, says it has "compensating" bias or something like that. I've never messed much with it. Last time I grabbed some Svetlana soft-rated EL34's going for a squishy British rock sound. Now I play tighter music (post-hardcore, alt metal) so I'm looking for something with bigger dynamics and tighter bass. I swapped the Svetlana back out for the Electro Harmonix it shipped with expecting it to be tighter. Nope. Buzzy/grainy/not full range. Bad.

So far I've been thinking JJ KT77s will get me what I want because I dig a little more 6L6 flavor. I've also heard the Tung Sol EL34's are good and have a similar flavor.

What do yall think? Experience? I know the majority of us are into classic rock or 80's metal but surely you've got some input. NOS is probably out of the question because I don't have that kind of money and I'm not positive I believe the hype.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rGit_zJWvw&feature=related

This is more or less the stuff my band is playing. I run a modeler into the effects loop and use my amp for volume (and powertube magic).

 

[Patrick from Davis]

The KT77's are definitely less fuzzy and tighter sounding.  I have them in two of my amps and they did the trick. 
Patrick

 

[mayfly]

I very much like JJ tubes - good consistent quality and good tone (IMHO).

You are right to stay away from NOS.  The good tubes have long been picked over.  Even 10 years ago I was having trouble getting good sounding, non-noisy, non-microphonic, NOS tubes.

 

[Death by Uberschall]

I like the JJ stuff  :icon_thumright:

 

[Justinginn]

Any thoughts about E34L vs KT77? They seem to be in the same vein tone-wise. I'm thinking the KT77 are more up my ally but it doesn't hurt to get opinions.

 

[Death by Uberschall]

I like the E34L, run them in my Uberschall. If you like that EL crunch, stick with them. But you can always try both and keep what you like the best.