Tube Recommendations

[timc]

Could someone please recommend a pair of el84's and preamp tubes (1 preamp, 1 phase inverter) that would be on the "darker" side, very warm, with very very early break-up. This is for a 12 watt Aiken Tomcat. Currently running JJ's. I use this head only for my dirty sound.

tim.

[rectifier]

I would recommend Mullard EL84's and either Mullard or RFT ECC83's (12AX7's).

[rjgtr]

For dark sounding tubes the older Teslas do this very well. Of course, the NOS Mullards are great but got a bit more cash. The Teslas can still be found at fairly reasonable prices.

[timc]

Thanks for the replies. At the moment, I don't want tp spend the money on the Mullards, although if that turns out to be my only option I may try them, so thankyou for the suggestion.
Regarding the Teslas, and I am currently running the JJ's, so you think the Teslas would be darker than the JJ's? What preamp tubes would also contribute to the early breakup and dark sound?

[rjgtr]

The Teslas are darker than the JJs. I think using Tesla or RFT preamp tubes would get you into the dark tone you're looking for. If the Teslas are NOS you make need to put 20 hours on them before the get really dark.