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EL34 tubes were introduced in the 1950s and quickly became synonymous with the high-gain sound of British guitar amp manufacturers a decade later.
Compared to other popular power tubes, the EL34 produces a solid, more aggressive low-end, with a polished midrange and tight highs.
Whether you’re replacing a worn-out tube in your amplifier, or simply want to upgrade your tone by adding the EL34’s crunchy power, you’ll find an option to suit your style and budget in this detailed guide.
In a Rush’ Round-Up
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How We Tested
When testing these EL84 tubes, we assessed them based on several key attributes. Initially, we looked at the tube’s impact on tonal aspects of an amplifier, such as how easily they can be pushed into saturation, and the consistency of their lows, mids, and highs.
We then tested the longevity of each EL84 tube, to assess whether they are good value for the price. Finally, we analyzed the dynamic range of the tubes and how they affect volume. You can see the results from these tests in the review section below.
EL34 Tube Reviews
Groove Tubes GT-E34LS Power Tubes – Medium Quartet
Groove Tubes GT-E34LS Power Tubes – Medium Quartet Review
Groove Tubes are considered to be one of the leading producers of vacuum tubes in the world. Their reputation is based on their consistency in recent years, which is perfectly illustrated by these GT-EL34S power tubes.
These EL34 tubes are described as “medium”, which means they fall into the range of 4 to 7 on the output scale. They are therefore very easy to push into warm saturation when gain is added to the signal.
When designing these tubes, the manufacturer used a unique method which they describe as adding “heat wings”. This essentially means that wing-like components have been joined onto the plate, which increases their power, and improves longevity.
Also, Groove Tubes have further customized these EL34s by modifying the power pentode inside them. This increases the tube’s consistency across the frequency response and makes them sound tighter.
The best EL34 tubes must improve the existing sound that your amplifier produces, and I’m very confident after putting this matched quartet to the test, that they will achieve this.
Features
- Includes 4 EL34 power tubes
- Modified power pentode
- Special “heat wing” design
Pros
- Produces a thick low-end
- Wide dynamic range
- Longer lasting than most power tubes
Cons
- Might require bias setting adjustments
Tung-Sol EL34B Power Tubes – Platinum Matched Quartet
Tung-Sol EL34B Power Tubes – Platinum Matched Quartet Review
Russian tube manufacturers Tung-Sol produce a wide range of reliable power and preamp tubes designed to upgrade your amplifier’s tone. The Tung-Sol EL-34Bs are often used in British-style amplifiers.
If you’re a fan of the unmistakable British guitar tone, I think you’ll love the results that these EL34 tubes produce. Marshall uses these tubes in many of their amplifiers, which is a strong indication of their capabilities.
The effect that these EL34 tubes have on an amplifier’s dynamics is subtle, but significant nonetheless. They provide a slight increase in attack and bolster the midrange frequencies to make them more prominent.
Also, these tubes have been matched meticulously by Tung-Sol, which ensures that they work together with no issues.
Tung-Sol has also designed these tubes to tighten up the low-end of your amplifier, without stifling it in any way. This is beneficial if you play a lot of riffs or chord patterns in the bass end of your guitar.
Another reason that these EL34 tubes are recommendable is their build quality. Made with classic Russian durability, they won’t buckle under the pressure of constant usage.
Features
- Russian made
- Four tubes in one set
- Factory matched
Pros
- Produces a classic British amp tone
- Crisp tone when combine with gain
- Solid construction
Cons
- May be too “hot” sounding for some genres
Mesa/Boogie EL-34 STR 450 Matched Duet
Mesa/Boogie EL-34 STR 450 Matched Duet Review
Mesa/Boogie’s EL34 STR 450s are a revamped version of the German manufacturer, Siemen’s vintage power tubes. They provide numerous sonic enhancements for guitar amplifiers.
The most significantly impacted area of a guitar amp when these tubes are installed is high-end. They create a bell-like clarity, which sounds incredible when pushed into overdrive.
Chord patterns also benefit from these tubes. If you’re a fan of saturated rock tones, you’ll love the way that these EL34s push the midrange of your amplifier to add warmth and definition.
As you’d expect from a highly respected manufacturer like Mesa/Boogie, these tubes have been accurately matched so that they can slot into an amplifier with the right bias settings and get to work right away.
Although the additional heat that these tubes inject into your amplifier’s output is noticeable, they also sound great on a clean channel. With minimal gain added, they enhance the smoothness and clarity of a clean tone.
Installing these EL34 tubes is very easy and straightforward, providing your amplifier is set up to accommodate these types of tubes.
Features
- Matched for consistency
- Includes a pair of EL34 tubes
- Based on retro German designs
Pros
- Clear treble frequencies
- Highly sensitive and accurate dynamics
- Increased sustain
Cons
- Sound aggressive when combined with distortion pedals
Russian Power Tubes – Medium Duet
Russian Power Tubes – Medium Duet Review
Groove Tubes return to our list of the best EL34 tubes with their impressive GT-EL34Rs Russian Power Tubes. Made in Russia, these vacuum tubes offer all of the distinctive qualities you’d expect from a set of high-end EL34s.
This medium duet work with the natural sound of your amplifier, rather than changing it too dramatically. They add warmth to the midrange while tightening the bass frequencies and adding definition to the highs.
When combined with a distortion or fuzz pedal, these tubes sound huge! You can easily push them into overdrive by upping the velocity of your strumming or picking, which is a valuable asset when soloing in a live setting.
In addition to their impact on liver performances, these EL34 tubes also improve the sounds of your microphone recordings. If you’re a fan of warm breakups, you can capture them via a microphone when using these tubes.
For clean tones, these tubes will certainly add some warmth to the signal. However, their results don’t detract from the natural qualities of your guitar combined with your amplifier.
Compared to most other EL34 tubes, the GT-EL34Rs produce a slightly harsher break-up. This makes them highly suitable for heavy rock, heavy blues, or heavy metal styles of playing.
Features
- Made in Russia
- Includes two EL34 tubes
- Matched pair
Pros
- Classic British amp tone
- Smooth midrange
- Powerful, harsh breakups
Cons
- Aggressive tone isn’t suitable for all styles
Mesa/Boogie EL-34 STR 447 Power Tubes – Matched Duet
Mesa/Boogie EL-34 STR 447 Power Tubes – Matched Duet Review
If there’s one word to describe the sound that these EL34 tubes create when installed in an amplifier, it would have to be “classic”. For straight-up rock tones, these tubes are ideal.
As an illustration of their quality, Mesa/Boogie installs the EL-34 STR 447 tubes in all of their compatible amplifiers. They’re long-lasting thanks to their robust construction and high-quality components.
Mesa/Boogie has matched this pair of EL34 tubes so that you don’t need to worry about bias issues when installing them in your amplifier. Moreover, they are a result of years of experience in tube manufacturing and perfecting their design.
There are several guitar-playing styles that these tubes are well suited to. Firstly, metal guitarists will enjoy the hard-hitting saturation that they produce when combined with gain, or distortion-based pedals.
If you prefer a smoother clean tone, you can simply dial in the gain, increase the mids slightly, and enjoy warm, 60’s style sounds that suit rhythm guitar playing down to a tee.
Finally, the El-34 STR 447 tubes deliver a stereotypically British tone, reminiscent of bands like The Kinks and The Who. If your amp packs a punch, these tubes will sound massive with the volume cranked high.
Features
- Used in Mesa/Boogie’s EL34 amplifiers
- Factory matched
- Includes two tubes
Pros
- Tight low-end
- Consistent tonality and dynamics
- Designed to last for longer
Cons
- High-gain tones can sound a little harsh without EQ
EL34 Tubes Buyer’s Guide
EL34 tubes have been around for a long time and for good reason. Their warm, immersive tone continues to be popular amongst guitarists even when digital amplifier technology has advanced at such a rapid rate.
The sweet spot that these tubes possess is a real joy to behold, and when it is combined with the perfect amp settings and some capable effects pedals, the results are magical.
Things to consider when buying:
Consider the quantity
Most guitar or bass amplifiers include several preamp tubes, and one or two power tubes. EL34 tubes are generally more cost-effective if you buy a multipack, and this will save you time when you come to replace the tube in the future.
Think about matched tubes
If you decide to invest in several EL34 tubes rather than buying a single one, you may benefit from choosing a matched set. When EL34 tubes are listed as matched, this indicates that the manufacturer has tested them to check that their current draw is identical when operating in normal conditions. However, using matched tubes requires you to bias your amp, if it is of the fixed bias variety.
Consider your amp’s preamp tubes
EL34 power tubes provide a desirable amount of overdrive, and sound incredibly good at high-gain amp settings. If they are combined with certain preamp tubes, such as the 12AX7, your amp will be able to produce roaring distortion. If you use a 12AT7, you’ll get a smoother sound with less overall gain.
EL34 Tubes and the British Tone
The EL34 is one of the most popular vacuum tubes used in guitar amplifiers. Invented in 1949, this tube is synonymous with the British guitar sound that dominated popular music in the early and mid-1960s.
While American guitar music up until that point featured smooth, twangy tones, on the other side of the pond there was a gritty sound being developed by bands like The Kinks, The Rolling Stones, The Who, and of course, The Beatles.
A large contributor to this energetic sound that emerged in Britain at that time was the EL34. This tube, with its scooped midrange and aggressive tone, would inspire a generation of British, and later American guitarists to move away from the less intense sounds that filled the popular music charts in previous decades.
It wasn’t long before American guitarists also started to adopt the EL34 to shape their tone. Perhaps the most notable example is Jimi Hendrix, who many consider being one of the most gifted and unique musicians of the 20th century.
Hendrix used the EL34 tube in his Marshall Plexi amplifiers throughout the 1960s, and this further increased the popularity of this type of vacuum tube.
Key Differences Between EL34 Tubes
Not all EL34 tubes produce the same sound, and before long there was a selection of different varieties available to guitar amp manufacturers.
It’s often wrongly assumed that vacuum tubes essentially sound and perform the same, providing they are of the same variety. However, some EL34 tubes offer more headroom than others.
It’s similar to choosing a new electric guitar. Let’s say you’ve decided you want a new Fender Telecaster, then you need to go through all of the many models that are released under the name to choose the one that you like best.
Although all Fender Telecasters share some core qualities, such as the body shape, and the general twangy tone they produce, there are some key differences between the different models.
The same can be said for EL34 vacuum tubes. Depending on the way they’re constructed, some tubes deliver a tighter low-end, while others scoop the midrange more noticeably.
Headroom and Output Wattage
The two attributes which EL34 tubes are best known for are their high headroom and high output wattage.
The impressive headroom that EL34 tubes offer guitarists means that the amplifier can be cranked up to high volumes, with high gain settings before it is pushed into overdrive.
This explains why EL34 tubes are popular for British amp stacks, which consist of several amplifiers with high wattages.
EL34 tubes are generally better suited to large amplifiers, rather than small tube amps designed for practicing at home, for example. At low volumes, the high headroom of the tubes will be less effective.
EL34 Variations
There are several variations of the EL34 vacuum tube, which combine new and existing qualities.
The 6CA7 is perhaps the best-known tube that is based on the EL34 design. This tube originated in the USA and takes some of the sonic qualities from the 6L6 vacuum tube then blends them with the high headroom and energetic sound of an EL34.
The KT77 is another popular variation on the original EL34 design. This tube can be used as a direct replacement for the EL34 in any power amp section and produces a slightly cleaner sound with less prominence in the low end.EL34 Variations
There are several variations of the EL34 vacuum tube, which combine new and existing qualities.
The 6CA7 is perhaps the best-known tube that is based on the EL34 design. This tube originated in the USA and takes some of the sonic qualities from the 6L6 vacuum tube then blends them with the high headroom and energetic sound of an EL34.
The KT77 is another popular variation on the original EL34 design. This tube can be used as a direct replacement for the EL34 in any power amp section and produces a slightly cleaner sound with less prominence in the low end.
EL34 Tubes FAQs
Which Tubes are Interchangeable with EL34?
EL34 tubes can be swapped out for two other popular vacuum tubes – the 6CA7 and the KT77. These three tubes all share almost identical electronic designs but produce different sounds.
If you swap EL34 tubes for 6CA7 or KT77 tubes, your guitar amplifier will produce a deeper low-end, with less saturation in the higher frequencies and a slightly reduced dynamic range.
Changing EL34 tubes to 6CA7 or KT77 tubes is very easy, as they are designed to be drop-in replacements for one another.
What Is The Difference Between EL34 and 6L6 Tubes?
Along with EL34 tubes, the 6L6 is one of the most popular vacuum tubes for guitar amplifiers. The key difference between these tubes is that they operate differently electronically, which impacts the way they sound.
Compared to the 6L6 tube, the EL34’s midrange is scooped more noticeably, which draws more attention to the bass and treble frequencies.
The 6L6 offers significantly more headroom than the EL34, making it better at taking pedals and harder to push into distortion.
How Long Do EL34 Tubes Last?
EL34 tubes will need replacing after approximately 2500-3000 hours of use. This is only an estimate, as certain guitar amplifiers will be able to preserve the tubes for longer.
This also depends on the quality of the EL34 tubes in question. If they’re well made, they may last anywhere up to 5,000 hours.
