TAD EL84 STR compared to?

master_b · Post by **master_b** » Mon 08/01/05 7:28 pm

Just picked up a Laney LC15R cheap.

(edited)
It has TAD EL84 STR selected and (vi) TAD ECC83 selected (v2) TAD 7025/E83CC Highgrade (v3) Sovtek 12AX7WC tubes.Anybody have experience with TAD tubes? (edited)

How do they compare to JJ's etc?

Amp sound pretty good for its size, though sounds much better when plugged into my Marshal 1965A 4 x 10 ( Celestion G20L 35's). Really nice to have a 10kg/22lb baby to tote around - better for my back:)

Haven't had much of a chance to try it yet, but with my PRS EGII ( USA made) hum/single/hum with split coil option, you can really hear the difference with each and every pickup selection option.

This amp will do as a head until I can get an 18 watt ( as well!).

Haven't tried it through a 12 inch speaker yet. Don't really expect that the BlackShadow in my Boogie IIc+ will suit.

(edited)Am goining to turn it into a head because its a B#stard to get the tubes in and out as it is. (edited)

Anybody else tried a Laney LC15/15R?

Bill

Post by **rjgtr** » Tue 08/02/05 8:56 am

I had one ten years ago and miss it. It really is a lot of bang for the buck.

Most of the TAD tubes are Chinese made and quite good. I tried a pair of the RCA 6L6 clones and was very pleased with their sound. Pretty close in overall character to the real thing, though a little less smooth.

I think they compare to JJs but are a little different in tone. For EL-84s in new production, I like the JJs or Ei's.

master_b · Post by **master_b** » Tue 08/02/05 10:14 pm

Thanks for the reply rjgtr.

I'm happy with the sound I'm getting with the TAD's, but am thinking ahead to when the tubes need replacing. I like to have a spare set on hand.

Here in Australia we don't have the choice of tubes that seem to be readily available in the US or UK.

I do have a matched pair of JJ EL84's at present, but I'm not going to try swapping them out until I mount the Laney chassis into a home-made head cab as it's extremely difficult to insert new tubes through the holes in the chassis and into the sockets on the PCB as you have to do it by feel. I've already had bent pin problems re-inserting the original tubes when I removed them to see what brand/type/model they were.

Have just plugged in my maple-top CE22 ( Dragons) and wound the amps gain right up. Even through the 10 inch spkr it sustains for ever. Neat.

Bill

Bill

sgtoverdrive · Post by **sgtoverdrive** » Wed 08/03/05 12:37 am

yup indeed the old sgt feels sorry for you poor lads if a matched set of jjs are the only girl in town...for about 15 bucks more you can rid your household of that pest and put these hindu specials to work! just dropped by to share my pitiful wares with the local gentry sgy OD

sgtoverdrive · Post by **sgtoverdrive** » Wed 08/03/05 12:39 am

or for the stylish gunsliinger! these are the blackbart jan militarys very stable and a bit less wild but pure tone on the big end if 18s have one.!

sgtoverdrive · Post by **sgtoverdrive** » Wed 08/03/05 12:40 am

then again these are tough to beat!

PiperBob · Post by **PiperBob** » Wed 08/03/05 10:50 pm

Senor Sarge, are those Brimar's made by Mullard? I have a pair just like them that I bought from a British chap on flea-bay.

sgtoverdrive · Post by **sgtoverdrive** » Fri 08/05/05 12:57 pm

bob the jury is still out on these they sound real good im just wondering if this is the last set i will ever see .i wish i had 1000 of em. they indeed howl evil incantations ....bob did you ever get the scheme for the magnas? if you need it pm me unnst mapped it.since i cut out all the malarky mine will now longer run 6v6s lol so its chewin on 6550 and is as loud as an 18 watt.those throdarsons idle at 482 once you clear away all the bs thats nursin em.t ps my impression of the brimar is that they are old telsa relables i havent seen before.but they sound a bit different cant put my finger on em.sorta kinda you know.t

Post by **zaphod_phil** » Fri 08/05/05 1:23 pm

PiperBob wrote:Senor Sarge, are those Brimar's made by Mullard?

here's how you can tell. Just check for a series of letters and numbers etched on the side of the tube, somewhere down towards the tube base end. If it's got those, it's made by Philips, and might be Mullard. If those letters also start with a B it's definately a Mullard.

Bear in mind that Brimar often relabelled US-made tubes as well....

dotfret · Post by **dotfret** » Thu 09/29/05 10:45 pm

Sarge - you are one of the good guys. We all know you are one of the good guys, if not the ultimate man with the white hat and the silver bullets. So why d y always have to sell it like snake oil?
Message to all - this man's products are recommended by an awful lot of satisfied users! Do not be put off by the marketing strategy!

dotfret · Post by **dotfret** » Thu 09/29/05 10:50 pm

Brimar relabelled a lot - but the relabelled ones don't have BVA and made in GB on them - and were often Toshiba/Daltronix/NEC made in Japan when that was a dirty phrase, but the tubes were good!

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