ShortScale.org

As a recent member of the Tube-Amp-gang (well, a hybrid TBH) I was wondering what tubes do you use/favor? Is there a big difference between say, different brands of EC83's?

You mean ECC83.

I prefer JJ. Others can be too harsh, although those may have their place too in a dark amp I suppose.

by way of necessity i have these http://www.hotroxuk.com/tungsol-5881-6l6.html

since i changed speaker the magnet is much bigger and due to the compact design i can't fit full length 6L6 tubes in it, but these are shorter than regular 6L6s and have a slightly lower bias and run slightly cooler. apparently they have a slightly stronger midrange and keith richard uses them a lot (or something).

also, tung sol 12ax7s are often cited as some of the best modern production preamp tubes available. i have some of those as well.

together they sound very nice

I used Tung-sol the last time I changed valves. Currently I'm running JJ but that's just what came in my amp, but I do actually need to change them soon.