Bell like top end chime with sweetness, el34 or 6l6 ?

Telejester · February 2017

As per my username I play a USA std Tele which has the broadcaster bridge pickup and twisted tele neck model. I seriously hate humbuckers and find the top end way too rolled off and the midrange much too congested for my liking. I've been talking to an amp builder and I'm curious as to which output valve to select. I'm in tone heaven when my single coils just reproduce my take on Jeff Healey guitar tones and songs. The lower output justs unclutters the midrange and you can hear individual notes in chords rather than a block sound, and the top end is extended, sweet and pure. My drive stomp is a maxon od808 set drive 0% and volume 50% so it's used as a clean boost that just gives a little more. If you think of that bell like purity and tones that Philip Sayce and Jeff Healey displayed in their music am i better off with el34s or 6l6s ?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Richardj · February 2017

My experience is that it has more to do with the circuit design than the valves. My current Rivera runs a pair of EL34s and definitely has a lot of American clean tone.

uncledick · February 2017

Based on my, admittedly limited, experience, I'd be particularly concerned about getting the valves in their optimum operating window. They'll be much more linear and controllable that way. Depending on your requirements, this might mean cutting right back on output power. Speaker choice is critical as well - makes a huge difference - and don't rely on Youtube videos recorded on a phone and played through your PC speakers.

Telejester · February 2017

Anyone else any suggestions?

Voxman · February 2017

Surely it's the amp design and speakers that are the key elements? I mean, my Laney VC30-210 (2 x 10" Jensen C10Q16's) has EL84's and has glorious sparkly bell-like cleans.

exocet · February 2017

If you're running the amp "clean" then I doubt you'd notice the difference between 6L6 and EL34. I think it's when you push the output stage close to the limits that the two valve types start to exhibit different tonal characteristics. Personally I'd opt for 6L6 style as there are plenty of PT and OT options to play with from an amp design perspective.