Reissue Mullard EL-34 ??

[H Chandler]

How do they sound?

I'm looking to retube a new 1987 "Plexi" reissue.

I'm looking for opinions based on real live listening experience etc...

Anyone who wishes to bash them cause they're not the "real deal" should be prepared to sell me a matched pair of NOS tubes for fourty bucks a pair.

Thanks

Howard

[soundmasterg]

I haven't tried them yet. I like the Winged C EL34's a lot, and the JJ's are pretty good too. You may see if Jim Mcshane has anything to say about the new Mullards.

Greg

[Rob Mercure]

"reissue" or "reproductions?"

I hate to "hijack" this thread but I've been uncomfortable with the "reissue" label for a while. Mullard isn't making these valves - as best I know Mullard doesn't make any valve these days - so these can't be a "reissue" but only a "reproduction." Perhap if we were to start changing the terminology on this board we could correct the impression that the manufacturer's marketing department is trying to hoodwink us with. Since Volkswagon make the new "beetle" despite it being a reworked Golf they could use the term "reissue" (which I've never heard them do so.) But EH/Sovwrek/whoever isn't Mullard, nor is Gravy Tubes GE, etc., etc.

This doesn't imply that they aren't the "real deal" reproductions - just that one can not "re" issue something that one didn't "issue" previously!

Rob

[NightWinder]

They are round, and seem to be missing the top end articulation that el34's are known for. This is in a nice live situation. I've spent tons on tubes and trying to find out what is best in the amp (JCM800 Egnator modded, Low input remained stock, and was based on stock). I did however like the Mullard 12ax7 in the V2 ONLY. A bit round in V1, put it in V2 , and the rest is history. The other 12ax7 are jj.
The El 34's I liked the best are the SED's . www.dougstubes.com has them, and doug is a real nice guy to deal with. Real cheap prices too.

[Krong]

I hate to "hijack" this thread but I've been uncomfortable with the "reissue" label for a while. Mullard isn't making these valves - as best I know Mullard doesn't make any valve these days - so these can't be a "reissue" but only a "reproduction." Perhap if we were to start changing the terminology on this board we could correct the impression that the manufacturer's marketing department is trying to hoodwink us with. Since Volkswagon make the new "beetle" despite it being a reworked Golf they could use the term "reissue" (which I've never heard them do so.) But EH/Sovwrek/whoever isn't Mullard, nor is Gravy Tubes GE, etc., etc.

This doesn't imply that they aren't the "real deal" reproductions - just that one can not "re" issue something that one didn't "issue" previously!

Rob

Ditto. Buying the rights to a name does not mean you ARE that comany. Brilliant at marketing maybe..
That being said there are some great tubes being made out there. My goto tube for new production stuff is JJ. Consistently low-noise and high quality. The new "Mullard" etc branded tubes seem to be of great quality and a real nice sounding choice. No idea about longevity. Just don't expect them to sound just like your NOS made in England babies. As with any tube purchase, if you are buying matched sets make sure the dealer is testing at a voltage that applies to your situation. Tubes that match at low voltage may not match at all at higher voltages..

[Bruce / Mission Amps]

I agree. It is shameful and NS should be chastised on tyhe Net for it at every occasion.

[Odd I/O]

How do they sound?

I'm looking to retube a new 1987 "Plexi" reissue.

I'm looking for opinions based on real live listening experience etc...

Anyone who wishes to bash them cause they're not the "real deal" should be prepared to sell me a matched pair of NOS tubes for fourty bucks a pair.

Thanks

Howard

----They sound EXACTLY like Electro-Harmonix EL34's. There is a good reason for that: They are the same tubes, made in the same factory, to the same specs. The only difference is the logo on the glass and the logo on the box that they come in. I flip-flopped them back-and-fourth in my Randall amp and could not tell a bit of difference.

[blodviol]

I hate to "hijack" this thread but I've been uncomfortable with the "reissue" label for a while. Mullard isn't making these valves - as best I know Mullard doesn't make any valve these days - so these can't be a "reissue" but only a "reproduction." Perhap if we were to start changing the terminology on this board we could correct the impression that the manufacturer's marketing department is trying to hoodwink us with. Since Volkswagon make the new "beetle" despite it being a reworked Golf they could use the term "reissue" (which I've never heard them do so.) But EH/Sovwrek/whoever isn't Mullard, nor is Gravy Tubes GE, etc., etc.

This doesn't imply that they aren't the "real deal" reproductions - just that one can not "re" issue something that one didn't "issue" previously!

Rob

It's an interesting view, and i agree to some extent, but taken to its extreme, then Fender or Gibson couldn't really reissue anything from the fifties or sixties either, as the companies have changed owners a couple of times since then.

And then especially when applied their daughter companies, like gretsch, sunn, epiphone, guild etc.

I'm sorry for the hijacking too BTW, (maybe this should be a new thread?)

Tríste

[bob p]

to say that really isn't a fair comparison. building a premier vacuum tube is a lot more complex than building an reissue amp on eyelet boards. for example, most of the old timers here have built amps that are every bit as good as the original fenders, but none of us have built vacuum tubes in our basements.

[Rob Mercure]

Triste,

Well, when taken to an "extreme" I would actually agree with you <grin>. But there is one difference to consider, while the Fender corporation, for example, isn't the same one that Leo built, the current corporation is part of a corporate "chain" that has continuously produced guitar, et al, amplifiers since Leo's time under the "same" name. As best I know the Mullard corporation is still in business but has no interest in producing vacuum tubes/valves and production of Mullard branded tubes stopped for a number of years. Or simply, Fender still produces Fender amps but someone else produces "Mullard" tubes - and this "someone else" also produces tubes marketed under lotsa other names.

BMW produces "Minis" but they make no claims that the current automobile is a "reproduction" of the Coopers while the marketing hucksters attempt to convince the buying public that new tubes branded "Mullard" are essentially the same tubes produced in Great Britian until the 1980s.

And I think this somewhat applies to the "daughter" corps as long as they have continuously produced the items we associate with them. After all, while Samick has much success with their "Washburn" line of guitars would you consider them "reproductions" - if they so claimed - of the Lyon and Healy produced instruments?

I guess I wouldn't "protest" so loudly if Mike Mathews/EH/Sovwrek/whatever had not already marketed a "6L6ish" tube as a "7591" a few years ago and a 6EZ5ish tube as a "6V6" and are still producing a "5881" which isn't a 6L6GWB. These folks and GT/Pittman just aren't honest IMHO but you probably don't mind it when you're offered margarine as "butter" or non-dairy creamer as "cream" in a fast food joint! When Pompeii was excavated "caveat emptor" was chiseled into the lintel of a doorway and things haven't changed any since.

Rob

[J Martin]

I think the term "reissue" is just a convenient handle and I don't get upset about it. I don't care what they call their tubes as long as quality improves. I have been dealing with New Sensor since 1994 and I have seen improvements. There are some of their tubes I still don't like, but in general I have had few problems. It seems that the use of the old brand names like Tung Sol and Mullard are a way to differentiate the new generation of tubes from the old as adding suffexes to the old lines would cause more confusion than having a new name. It also makes it seem justified to charge more which they will have to do to make those improvements. Things have changed since NS got started. They are buying less existing Russian product and developing improved designs. Many of the changes have been metalurgical and thus may or may not be easily visable.

Between building and repairs, I use 70 to 100 tubes a month and so have seen a fair sample go through my shop over the years. Note that I also buy from other vendors.

[Peter Clothier]

Well said Rob.

[Rob Mercure]

Peter,

Thanks

Rob