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KingsXJJ
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There are some who enjoy EL-84’s! Maybe not prefer them per se…. But they don’t deserve all of the blanket hate. They can serve well in a home amp IMO.
I wonder why so many amp builders, within a certain wattage range, use two EL84’s instead of one EL34, 6L6, 5881, etc,etc?
Maybe the class A versus A/B thing? Serious question from a somewhat serious dude…
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It's more about single-end vs. push-pull output. Single-ended is cool but requires a different output transformer and you don't get the benefit of some noise cancelling like in a PP design.
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metropolis_4
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Must… resist… defending… el84s…
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Must… resist… defending… el84s…
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No room for a Homespuneffects Classic Hottake™ in this thread buddy
Desertdweller
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In a Matchless or a Vox, yes. In an amp that's trying to be high gain, no.
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I’ve done a lot of EL84 shit talking in my time, and when I demoed the lower wattage marks in stores my view points held
But I’ll be damned….. V:35 and V:25s are actually the most prevalent amps I see local bands using around here, and I’ve never left one of those shows thinking anything besides “fuck yeah! Sounded great!”
But I’ll be damned….. V:35 and V:25s are actually the most prevalent amps I see local bands using around here, and I’ve never left one of those shows thinking anything besides “fuck yeah! Sounded great!”
Desertdweller
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The V35 is probably a good sweet spot with the 4x EL84s. I have quite a bit of experience with the V25, Mini Rec, and the Rectoverb 25, and I absolutely 100% think they're all great amps, but their limitations were a bit too much for me. On a stage, miked or going through a loadbox and IR they are all going to sound great. I could definitely see using any of them in a live touring rig.
The only one of the three I could actually play in a band at a rehearsal with amps in the room was the V25 in Extreme mode because otherwise I just couldn't hear it. The mini rectos were too loud in modern mode to use as practice amps, and didn't go loud enough to be heard in my band. With the V25 I was hitting the top of the headroom in Extreme mode and it worked ok, but I had nowhere to go for a lead boost.
So yeah they sound great, but they have limitations I was not willing to compromise on. I prefer amps I can use low volume, high volume, and have plenty of headroom to spare. The only caveat to that I'll make is if an amp just sounds rugged and awesome at a loud volume but doesn't work as well quieter. I can live with that for sure, but headroom is important to me.
paisleywookiee
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EL84's are fine in many amps; people here just suck at dialing them in.
Desertdweller
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It's 100% about the headroom, yes. The tone for the most part is fine. The smaller power tubes do lack a bit of body and can be a little boxy in the mids.Admit it guys, y'all still be pissed if it was 6V6's.
It's probably the headroom and wattage factor more than anything.
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I'd be lying if I said they don't feel different at higher volumes. Same case as EL34 compared to 6L6 etc.
Weak I wouldn't call them, but that would depend on a number of factors like output transformer, bias setting and bias type, and plate voltages, etc. But I do like to poke a few people here because I know they just can't stand the little buggers.
JiveTurkey
Goatlord
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They're fine if your drummer is hitting couch cushions with wooden spoons as drumsticks
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You don't know how many times I wished that were the case with a few drummers?They're fine if your drummer is hitting couch cushions with wooden spoons as drumsticks
