5150/6505 tubes?

[Mephis]

I was sitting around wondering what all tubes would work in my amp.

I'm pretty sure the list goes:
6L6
EL34
5881
KT66

Would anyone here know the best tubes for a 5150? I was interested in trying some 5881s in mine. I'm wanting to smooth out the power tube distortion without altering the EQ to drasticly, some extra mids couldn't hurt. Also, mine has bias testing ports in the back with a adjustable pot just inside the grill. I'm not exactly sure how biasing works but does that mean it's something you could do yourself?

 

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Re: 5150/6505 tubes?

Try something other than the stock Ruby (or whatever cheapies) before you go for another type of power tube. Also know that all of them will require you to take it into a tech to have it rebiased/set up.

I'd try some JJ's or Svetlana's.


That bias knob does ****all, really. It doesn't give enough range to bias into another type of tube, only to slightly adjust the bias on the 6L6's, and not enough to really be very practical. Also, the probes don't measure the bias current, but the plate voltage of the tubes.

I personally have heard 5150's with different powertubes... 5881's, EL34's, a mix of 6L6 and 5881's... Honestly, the 6L6's are perfect for the amp.

 

[brit84]

Re: 5150/6505 tubes?

unless the bias can adjust to el34 then stick with 6l6/5881 tubes that are meant to me in it.

 

[disturb]

Re: 5150/6505 tubes?

JJ 6L6GC's kick!

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: 5150/6505 tubes?

I'd just get 4 JJ 6L6's and find the dealers on Ebay that offer 4 Shuguang 9th Generation 12AX7's for $25 in white unlabeled boxes. That's about as good as a 5150 can be with new tubes.

 

[Mephis]

Re: 5150/6505 tubes?

Could anyone explain why they are suggesting 6L6s for the 5150 over everything else? Maybe even explain the tonal difference the JJ will have? Oh and my 6505 has 6 preamp tubes btw, I don't plan on changing them lol.

 

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Re: 5150/6505 tubes?

The 5150 is a super mid-heavy, crunchy amp. I wouldn't want to add anything that would enhance that, like EL34's.

 

[Travis]

Re: 5150/6505 tubes?

I went with EH 12AX7s and Svetlana 6L6s in my 5150.

 

[brit84]

Re: 5150/6505 tubes?

they suggest 6l6 because they designed the amp to use those. unless you can bias to other tubes then it may not take other types

 

[disturb]

Re: 5150/6505 tubes?

I'm a firm believer of staying with the tubes an amp was designed around. 5150's were designed and tweaked for 6L6's. That's why I keep 6L6's in my Rectifier. I keep EL34's in my Herbert because that's the way it came. I can put any tube in it 6550, KT88, 6L6, etc.., but I'm sticking the the EL's. Let the amp be what it is.