Sorry for the late reply. I am still learning my way around websites etc. There is a lot of content on the web for specific artist tones. Search Eric. Johnson: Vox Tone Lab. The right patch program and gear can get you in the neighborhood. The truth is that a lot of tone is in your fingers and mind. It is very difficult to sound like another artist. Just like you can never perfectly imitate someone else’s speaking voice. It is, however, important to study how they combined gear and knowledge to get their unique sound. The one thing that great players to to get that great tone is devote a great deal of time and energy understanding exactly what gear they need and work to master the gear they use. My first DVD will help you if you have just begun you search and are interested in how to combine different elements to get different sounds. If you are already know which gear you should use for a given situation and are familiar with effects chains and choices wait for the next one.

Yes, there are big differences in those tubes. Generally there are also big differences in the amp designs that use each tube.

Here’s a basic run down:

6L6: These are the tubes that are associated with early fender tweed amps. Their sound is slightly gritty with a cool top end chime. Also look into 6V6′s. Most commonly used in country, blues 50′s and roots rock

EL84: These tubes are associated with Fender Blackface amps. These are generally a very clean bright sound. Also found in some Vox amps. These are common in Jazz, Country, Blues, Pop, and R&B.

EL34: These tubes are most common in the big 50 and 100 watt British amps like Marshalls. These tubes have a full range and fat and warm tone. Most commonly heard in hard rock and metal.

There is also differences in the manufacturer of the tubes. These differences are more subtle but very important to some players.

Hope this helps!

Don

Thanks,

Dave