EL84s in SWR IOD preamp

[Freuds_Cat]

I just picked up an SWR IOD bass preamp and it has lots of sweet tubey goodness combined with a stack of punch.

It has 1 x 12AX7A  and 2 x EL84 tubes in it.

I haven't yet checked out what brand the 12AX7 is but it sounds very nice so far. I have tube rolled myself around the world a few times both in a NOS and modern tube sense when it comes to AX and AU7 tubes but I have never tried an EL84 before in my life.
The EL84's are Sovtek. They are also microphonic and brittle sounding. So, to the bin they go.

I would love to hear your opinions on what EL84's I should get as replacements and why?

I learned a long time ago that with tubes in bass rigs you cannot listen to the opinions of guitarists or Hi Fi buffs too much because a tube that sounds great in a guitar or Hi Fi amp can sound anaemic or muddy in a bass pre. Well after hundreds of trials (literally) that is my experience.

[Chris P.]

I recommend the Plexi Palace messageboard for good amp discussions. EL84s are used in class A amps like the VOX AC30, so I'll try to find some Vox owners to ask.

[Freuds_Cat]

Thanks Chris

[Freuds_Cat]

Well I picked up some JJ's and slipped them in before the gig friday night.

As with most JJ's of any kind that I've tried they are solid and functional even if a little one dimensional.
These tubes are fine as backups and spares but serious tone is note here to be found.

I get to try some NOS Tungsrams in a few weeks. Will post my opinions when that happens.