What is the output tube of your choice?

[KLINKDETROIT]

Re: What is the output tube of your choice?

I should be getting 2 sets of 6CA7 tubes ( GT & EH ). I am currently using Svetlana winged C EL-34 for the mids and punch. The best sound so far but I miss the lows and wide spectrum of the 6l6 Svetlana. I hear the 6CA7 tubes give both? I will post as to my findings.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: What is the output tube of your choice?

i like 6l6's, just always have

i've never played an el34 amp that i was really 100% satisfied with, but 6l6's sound great in old fenders, new fenders, 5150's, dual rectifiers, all them sound great

though i'd love to try 6550's, aren't those pretty much a 50 watt 6l6?

 

[flipside]

Re: What is the output tube of your choice?

I really like Marshall's tone, so naturally i picked EL34's, but i also really like the tone of 6L6's too. EL34's kinda pick up where the 6L6's left off and vice versa.

 

[Mincer]

Re: What is the output tube of your choice?

6v6s for me...my Blue Angel rarely leaves that setting and is plenty loud.

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: What is the output tube of your choice?

I'm having trouble figuring this thread out.

If you're saying "I like 6L6s" are you saying "I have a Showman and I really like what it does." Or are you saying, "I have somehow modified a Marshall 2204 to accept 6L6 tubes in the output stage and I find that and the modifications necessary to accept different power tubes than what the amplifier was designed to operate with to be preferential to the standard amplifier design configuration that used EL-34s."

 

[Rich_S]

Re: What is the output tube of your choice?

Ha! I love being out in left field.

ECL86
Only because I built my DIY "13 Watter" into the chassis of an old Bogen PA, and it had ECL86's. They're actually a smallish EL-84 pentode and half of a 12AX7 smooshed into the same EL-84-sized bottle. So, I get the phase inverter and output stage in two tubes instead of three, with slightly less power capability since all the smooshing leaves little room for heat dissipation.

The bad news is they're not in production, but I went on an eBay buying spree a while back, and found some nice ones. So, thI ink I'm set for a good long while.

The Marshall 18 Watter is a pretty cool amp. It (and even moreso, my amp) has very little in common with its EL-34-based brothers, but it still sounds like a "real" Marshall. It's pretty amazing that with good design and a bit of luck, the little EL-84's can do that big-amp sound, but quieter, cheaper, and lighter.

 

[Faraday]

Re: What is the output tube of your choice?

For Lead tones: Tung Sol 5881
For Rhythm tones: EL84
I want to try a 6G6G, as I've been told it has a much lower output than a 6V6 or 6K6 !!!

 

[Kac]

Re: What is the output tube of your choice?

my preferance is 6L6 until DSS3 gets me to change to EL34's :13:

Rock On!

 

[Xeromus]

Re: What is the output tube of your choice?

though i'd love to try 6550's, aren't those pretty much a 50 watt 6l6?

If you think that, I don't think you understand the nature of tubes still.

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: What is the output tube of your choice?

Different tubes for different amps....I like them all

BUT I voted for EL84. I love saturating them to the point of meltdown & they just ooze creaminess.

I tell ya', this new DST U84 I've got is the loudest friggin 20watt monster around, but the Mullards.........they're worth every penney!

 

[sosomething]

Re: What is the output tube of your choice?

You forgot KT88's!!!!!


Seriously though, my favorite output tubes are KT88's - immeansely plowerful and balanced-sounding. They have amazingly tight bass response, are great with mids, and produce an efficient and musical top-end. They overdrive very warmly also.

Both my Splawn Pro Mod (recent acquisition) and my other guitarist's VHT Ultra Lead use KT88s, and the guitar sounds we've been getting live have been enormous.


EL84's and EL34's are tied for second place for me, for different reasons.

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: What is the output tube of your choice?

In terms of the choices given above, I think your amp makes that choice for you. Mine will only take 6L6's.

But within that family, the Svetlana 6L6GC's ("winged C") are spectacular.

 

[pinto79]

Re: What is the output tube of your choice?

I can still hear the tone of my Marshall JCM 800 2204 with GT E34Ls Output tubes (rated at #7). It will forever be the tone I chase. I should have never let that amp out of my sight... :smack:

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: What is the output tube of your choice?

I'm having trouble figuring this thread out.

If you're saying "I like 6L6s" are you saying "I have a Showman and I really like what it does." Or are you saying, "I have somehow modified a Marshall 2204 to accept 6L6 tubes in the output stage and I find that and the modifications necessary to accept different power tubes than what the amplifier was designed to operate with to be preferential to the standard amplifier design configuration that used EL-34s."

I can say that in my Road King that can be switched from 6L6s to EL34s, I prefer the EL34s. However, in nearly every other case I think your above example holds true.

 

[Animal]

Re: What is the output tube of your choice?

I don't really have an opinion on any power tubes at all yet. I won't be getting my first tube amp till tomorrow or the day after....

 

[Kommerzbassist]

Re: What is the output tube of your choice?

My favourite is the FET, which is a great invention, because it's controlled by voltage and not current, which reduces heat caused by the loss of current.

Seriously, I still don't have my tube amp yet, so I can't comment on that...

I have a question though:
Is it hard to mod your amp for different tubes?

 

[YJM_Rocks]

Re: What is the output tube of your choice?

Classic 30 coming soon. Can't wait to hear those EL84s cranked up. In the store they wouldn't let me turn it up past like 4, and then they made me turn it down. Then my dad and I tried to talk them down from $529.99 to $449.99 but he said he "couldn't" because it was against his contract with Peavey and that was his minimum advertised price. MAP only applies to what the price tag says right? Whatever, ordering it from MF. I loved the sound of it. So back to the topic of tubes. What kinda volume will these guys break up at?

 

[Slash2987]

Re: What is the output tube of your choice?

Tough call between 5881 and EL34. But I voted for the underdog, 5881. I can do everything well with it..... Jam, Classic rock, all the way up to metal. They're great tubes.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: What is the output tube of your choice?

If you think that, I don't think you understand the nature of tubes still.

no, no i don't

care to explain?

with mention of where 6550's fall in the tonal spectrum

 

[Mephis]

Re: What is the output tube of your choice?

I have EL-84's in my classic, I love em, but they lack bass. I'll probably get some groove tubes for it or something.