EL84 vs EL34 vs 6L6GC - Tube Comparison (H&K - Marshall - ENGL)

Easy tube comparison between Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister 36 (EL84) - Marshall DSL 20 (EL34) and ENGL Powerball II (6L6GC).
Different amps with different tubes, all in flat EQ, recorded with Shure SM57 + Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 + MacBook Pro (Logic Pro X). No post EQ.
Guitar used Ibanez RG 2550z-wpm Prestige (DiMarzio Tone Zone + Air Norton).
The sound changes with the gain, if you tweak the three amps they are really really really nice. It's not a "skill" video :)
Links of gear:
Ibanez Prestige: www.musicalstore2005.com/it/i...
H&K: www.strumentimusicali.net/pro...
Marshall: www.thomann.de/it/marshall_ds...
ENGL: www.thomann.de/it/engl_powerb...
00:00 Intro
00:32 Clean (low gain)
02:21 Clean (half gain)
04:09 Clean (full gain)
05:57 Dirt (low gain)
07:46 Dirt (half gain)
09:28 Dirt (full gain)
11:06 Comparison :)

[@davidlowe1088]

Thanks! This was very helpful to me as a home stereo tube amp enthusiast. This reveals the differences between the EL84 and others way better than listening to songs and let’s me see why I like the EL84 so much for my purpose. Very nice!

[@user-ht8wr6gj3b]

For my view, I like 6L6GC more than other two tubes

[@timmotel5804]

Excellent. Exactly what I needed to understand the differences between the 3. Very well presented. Thank You and Best Regards

[@thracian2072]

EL84 had the most shimmering cleans. The Kettner and Powerball distortion sounded very similar, except that the Kettner lacked the lows. On the other hand, the Marshall's distortion at the low and mid gain settings sounded very crunchy and more present by comparison.

[@edwardssistershands]

I preferred the 6l6 all over. Which I have on one channel in my low wattage Vintone head. Just ordered a Hughes and Kettner Duotone Combo which is el34. I hope I like it.

[@bradt.3555]

This is like comparing diff pickups using diff guitars. Are we hearing a diff in tubes or amps? Prob is it's both. 1 amp with diff tubes = diff tone, diff amps with same tube = diff tone.

[@Sagerydian]

That comparison doesn't make any sense, you know that, right? It's like comparing a Ford to a Mercedes to a VW, pointing out that they have different wheel sizes, but they also differ in PS, torque, top speed, weight etc. and at the end someone says "yeah, I liked the 19 inch wheels the most".

[@brandonjackson5865]

My dsl20cr doesn’t sound like that with the ultra gain maxed it’s completely useless but I do have a Duncan distortion in the bridge of my RG . I think for the money the DSL 20 is hard to beat. I think the bigger bottles helps it hold together better at high volumes compared to the el84 amp I have that happens to be a Rectoverb 25. I guess I need an MT15 for the 6l6 experience lol

[@phunkyjunkee]

EL84 ftw

[@pedrotemperani2301]

distortion el84

[@tgchan]

I love that Marshally growl~!!

[@rotaero]

EL84 > 6L6 > EL34

[@YourBestNeighbor7]

ENGL won easily