Most Musical Power Tube?
- Thread starter Scott_F
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the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Most Musical Power Tube?
of the ones you have listed I woudl have to say either the 6L6WGB or 6V6...those 2 have the best musical character I know of...
of the ones you have listed I woudl have to say either the 6L6WGB or 6V6...those 2 have the best musical character I know of...
F
firebirdVII
Guest
Re: Most Musical Power Tube?
That's tough, mainly because of interpretations of musical... I've got to go with the 300b. A combination of ultra linear frequency response and manufacturers today that still use ultra pure cathode metals has led me to believe that it's the best. Plus it costs the most and everyone knows that cost is directly correlated to musicality...
Seriously though, I voted el84. The el84 can cover a lot of ground, it can get chimey crunchy and smooth (or so I've heard on the last one). I like how it can break up at reasonable volumes and it seems pretty balanced in terms of sound. I don't know if tubes are the cause of a loose bottom, but I haven't heard any problems with el84 in that respect. So there you have it, my complete and inexperienced opinion
That's tough, mainly because of interpretations of musical... I've got to go with the 300b. A combination of ultra linear frequency response and manufacturers today that still use ultra pure cathode metals has led me to believe that it's the best. Plus it costs the most and everyone knows that cost is directly correlated to musicality...
Seriously though, I voted el84. The el84 can cover a lot of ground, it can get chimey crunchy and smooth (or so I've heard on the last one). I like how it can break up at reasonable volumes and it seems pretty balanced in terms of sound. I don't know if tubes are the cause of a loose bottom, but I haven't heard any problems with el84 in that respect. So there you have it, my complete and inexperienced opinion
LesPaulRules
New member
Re: Most Musical Power Tube?
I'm going with the EL34. An old Mullard EL34 cranked to 10 in a Marshall Superlead is music to my ears. (and to a lot of others as well).
I'm going with the EL34. An old Mullard EL34 cranked to 10 in a Marshall Superlead is music to my ears. (and to a lot of others as well).
Re: Most Musical Power Tube?
I had to go with EL84s because Vox and Matchless amps go perfect in "musical" situations - meaning highly refined sounds and highly refined singers. When I think of Seal or Freddie Mercury, only a Vox tone will do. Once you get to blaring EL34 stadium levels, the nuances matter a little less. EL84 amps aren't so much blaring stadium sounds. Sure Brian May was loud, but he a'int Jimmy Page, Z. Wylde, or Blackmore.
I had to go with EL84s because Vox and Matchless amps go perfect in "musical" situations - meaning highly refined sounds and highly refined singers. When I think of Seal or Freddie Mercury, only a Vox tone will do. Once you get to blaring EL34 stadium levels, the nuances matter a little less. EL84 amps aren't so much blaring stadium sounds. Sure Brian May was loud, but he a'int Jimmy Page, Z. Wylde, or Blackmore.
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Most Musical Power Tube?
Yeah, I'll go with EL-84's too. They break up at a nice volume, and the guitar just feels 'connected' to the natural gain.
Of course, any of them can be "musical" in the right amp, with the right guitar, and good hands playing.
Yeah, I'll go with EL-84's too. They break up at a nice volume, and the guitar just feels 'connected' to the natural gain.
Of course, any of them can be "musical" in the right amp, with the right guitar, and good hands playing.
Stratman
Guitaris Maximus
Re: Most Musical Power Tube?
I agree with Curly.
And love original GEC KT-66 tone and character. Copy KT-66 are close but no cigar.
However, not so many players know what that tone is due to the limited supply and use in guitar amplifiers. EL-34 are not even close to the tone you can get around 6, with a EL034 you have to crank it higher.
EL-84 are nice, but no match for a driven 6V6 for playing blues and old school R&B or R&R.
For metalheads, playing a 6L6 does not cut it.
SO bottom line, circuit and style of music make the choice of power tube important.
Curly said:
I agree with Curly.
And love original GEC KT-66 tone and character. Copy KT-66 are close but no cigar.
However, not so many players know what that tone is due to the limited supply and use in guitar amplifiers. EL-34 are not even close to the tone you can get around 6, with a EL034 you have to crank it higher.
EL-84 are nice, but no match for a driven 6V6 for playing blues and old school R&B or R&R.
For metalheads, playing a 6L6 does not cut it.
SO bottom line, circuit and style of music make the choice of power tube important.
Gunny47
New member
Re: Most Musical Power Tube?
Hard one. But with the stage I'm going through now, I'll have to put down either the EL84 or the KT66. EL84 has the best crunch IMO for that Vox type tone (and countless amount of matcheless/badcat type amps that are great), but the KT66 has a very thick, smooth tone, not the most gain, but the perfect amount. Perfect for lead tones and big clean sounds. So I guess Ill put KT66. EL84 would be my 2nd place, then probably 5881 in some good tweeds.
Hard one. But with the stage I'm going through now, I'll have to put down either the EL84 or the KT66. EL84 has the best crunch IMO for that Vox type tone (and countless amount of matcheless/badcat type amps that are great), but the KT66 has a very thick, smooth tone, not the most gain, but the perfect amount. Perfect for lead tones and big clean sounds. So I guess Ill put KT66. EL84 would be my 2nd place, then probably 5881 in some good tweeds.
kevlar3000
Bullet Proof Toneologist
Re: Most Musical Power Tube?
I don't think you can break that down to a single tube. It is so subjective to how your ears hear it. I have El34, 7591, 6l6, EL84 and 6550 loaded amps. They all sound great, this biggest suprise being my 6550 loaded Ampeg. I had heard all sorts of sterile stiff sound opinons on that tube. I was very suprised when I plugged that amp in. That amp is extremely dynamic.
I have learned in my musical messin, that there is no singular truth when it comes to what is the best.
I don't think you can break that down to a single tube. It is so subjective to how your ears hear it. I have El34, 7591, 6l6, EL84 and 6550 loaded amps. They all sound great, this biggest suprise being my 6550 loaded Ampeg. I had heard all sorts of sterile stiff sound opinons on that tube. I was very suprised when I plugged that amp in. That amp is extremely dynamic.
I have learned in my musical messin, that there is no singular truth when it comes to what is the best.
casblah
New member
Re: Most Musical Power Tube?
For the time being, I'm enjoying the KT88. It has a certain "honk" or "quack" that really gives me a chubby. I swapped out some EL34's, for some KT66's in my 2204, as well. So I guess I'm on a Kinkless Tetrode kick. But every output tube has it's own unique characteristics...and that's where the fun lies!
For the time being, I'm enjoying the KT88. It has a certain "honk" or "quack" that really gives me a chubby. I swapped out some EL34's, for some KT66's in my 2204, as well. So I guess I'm on a Kinkless Tetrode kick. But every output tube has it's own unique characteristics...and that's where the fun lies!
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Most Musical Power Tube?
Thats funny...I used to have an old Ampeg Bass amp that used 7027a's and whe I boughtit everybody told me how "cold" and "sterial" those tubes were...that amp sounded amazing...loud enough to move walls but sounded killer!
kevlar3000 said:
Thats funny...I used to have an old Ampeg Bass amp that used 7027a's and whe I boughtit everybody told me how "cold" and "sterial" those tubes were...that amp sounded amazing...loud enough to move walls but sounded killer!
RiffRaff
New member
Re: Most Musical Power Tube?
El84's - they're used in so many different amps, from VHT's to Marshall's to Vox's and many other manufacturers listed above. The tones cover the map from crunch to clean with wonderful chime and musical definition - it's a great all around tube in a good circuit.
El84's - they're used in so many different amps, from VHT's to Marshall's to Vox's and many other manufacturers listed above. The tones cover the map from crunch to clean with wonderful chime and musical definition - it's a great all around tube in a good circuit.
