6550's?

[AdamB]

Yo!

Been doing a bit of searching, and all you Egnater guy seem to love the 6550's!! (Eric )

But i did a google search and other people say they're sterile, harsh, but yeah, i don't really trust them, but i trust those that choose Egnater, ha!

So, what's the tone like basically?

I've always used 6L6's, but seen as my Mod 50 can accept others, i'm going to buy some =C= EL34, and while i'm at it, i may as well get some 6550's if you guys convince me!

Thanks,

Adam

 

[Buckeyedog]

I'm liking the 6550's quite a bit, but have only had them for a few days and really not much volume. They bring back some of the mids that 6l6's take away. So far so good, but limited experience.

I also think guys have had better luck with the Tung Sol EL34b than the other 34 brands. Although the winged C is one of the best for sure. Don't think you can go wrong either way.

 

[AdamB]

Thanks man!

So, what's the general tone of the 6550?

If i said the 6L6 had a full bottom end, and was quite smooth and full sounding, and the EL34 was mid heavy and more grity...

Then the 6550 is....?

 

[jkdsteve]

Thanks man!

So, what's the general tone of the 6550?

If i said the 6L6 had a full bottom end, and was quite smooth and full sounding, and the EL34 was mid heavy and more grity...

Then the 6550 is....?

Dunno..but the KT88 is like those combined and more....it has a very deep low end and an extended high end without being harsh. The mids are less than an EL34 but quite smooth.

The 6550s I have (Svet) have more grit than the KT88s (Ruby and Genalex re-issue)

 

[AdamB]

Do you have to do a mod for your Mod 50 to take KT88's?

 

[jmgman69]

Do you have to do a mod for your Mod 50 to take KT88's?

You have to pull the tube retains.I totally dig the 6550s over any other tube.Very good balance of lows,mids and highs not being harsh so I can really crank the modules up o notch!!But that's just me

 

[Buckeyedog]

OK, just upstairs rockin' the 6550's with some volume and man the SL2 just sounds huge!! Rocks big time. Can't wait to try the EG5 as well. The bassman sounded good as usual, but it seems like the SL2 really rocks hard with those 6550's.

 

[AdamB]

I will get some 6550's when i order my EL34's. I'm going to have a loud tone freak day on Tuesday!!

 

[jmgman69]

I will get some 6550's when i order my EL34's. I'm going to have a loud tone freak day on Tuesday!!

 

[jmgman69]

OK, just upstairs rockin' the 6550's with some volume and man the SL2 just sounds huge!! Rocks big time. Can't wait to try the EG5 as well. The bassman sounded good as usual, but it seems like the SL2 really rocks hard with those 6550's.

Another satisfied customer

 

[Buckeyedog]

Adam, if you want some winged C's (34's), I've got some virtually new one's from Dougs tubes that I'd ship to you for $30.

 

[AdamB]

I'm in the UK mate, but if you don't mind shipping them here, that'd be great!

I'm guessing it's a matched pair?

 

[muudrock]

I put some 6550's in the mod 50 about a month ago and they are still in there. I was running e34l and 5881 occasionally, but the 6550s have something the others don't. To my ear, everything is more even instead of a certain frequency range being accentuated...Mids-el34, highs and low-6l6/5881. Lows mids and highs just seem more in balance to me and that makes the tone fuller and louder.

I still like the GT E34L for a 34 tube, but these Svetlana 6550s have got me liking them. Only problem i have with them is getting them biased. Seems like no matter what, one of em is super hot and the other isnt'. I'm not able to dial them perfectly on the 50 since only one bias pot.

 

[Buckeyedog]

I'm in the UK mate, but if you don't mind shipping them here, that'd be great!

I'm guessing it's a matched pair?

Ah man, sorry about that!! You know, probably don't want to fool with that bro. Sorry.......

Mud, I agree with you about the 6550's and the bias issue too!! Mine are about 5 mv apart, which I guess isn't too bad, but wish they'd be a bit closer. I got one around 38 and the other around 43.

 

[aeroic]

I put some 6550's in the mod 50 about a month ago and they are still in there. I was running e34l and 5881 occasionally, but the 6550s have something the others don't. To my ear, everything is more even instead of a certain frequency range being accentuated...Mids-el34, highs and low-6l6/5881. Lows mids and highs just seem more in balance to me and that makes the tone fuller and louder.

I still like the GT E34L for a 34 tube, but these Svetlana 6550s have got me liking them. Only problem i have with them is getting them biased. Seems like no matter what, one of em is super hot and the other isnt'. I'm not able to dial them perfectly on the 50 since only one bias pot.

Hey Muud... Have you tried the TS EL34B's? Those are pretty awesome tubes for a EL34. They are currently in my Mod50 at the moment. Mind you I do play my M4 and VHT 2/90/2 the most, which has the Svet 6550s in there (which is my favorite power tube by far).

As far as tones for 6550s, I agree with Muud here. They have a great tight low end, like a 6L6, but tighter and with more girth. The mids are very even, basically in between a EL34 and a 6L6, but are very smooth and buttery. The high end is very sparkly, but not ice-pick harsh. I love the way all my modules sound through 6550s!!! I tried out the OD100's power section today, and it sounded good, but I have to say the Mod50 and VHT 2/90/2's power section way better.

On another note with regards to the OD100, I have to say I like the Eggie stuff way better. The clean channel was very awesome though! Very T like...with a hint of DLX to it. The distortion channel was good, but was a bit grainy for my taste. I have to say I like the EG5 way better for me. With all that said, the OD100 is a killer amp, but not for me. Going on the classifieds tomorrow.

Eric

 

[jmgman69]

I put some 6550's in the mod 50 about a month ago and they are still in there. I was running e34l and 5881 occasionally, but the 6550s have something the others don't. To my ear, everything is more even instead of a certain frequency range being accentuated...Mids-el34, highs and low-6l6/5881. Lows mids and highs just seem more in balance to me and that makes the tone fuller and louder.

I still like the GT E34L for a 34 tube, but these Svetlana 6550s have got me liking them. Only problem i have with them is getting them biased. Seems like no matter what, one of em is super hot and the other isnt'. I'm not able to dial them perfectly on the 50 since only one bias pot.

Agreed 100% but all three sets I'm currently running bias up properly

 

[AdamB]

Ah man, sorry about that!! You know, probably don't want to fool with that bro. Sorry.......

No worries mate! Only when you wrote that did i realise that i hadn't put in my location, so i went straight on and updated it.

I'm going to order some =C= 6550's and EL34's on Monday! Can't wait for them to come!

 

[Buckeyedog]

[
No worries mate! Only when you wrote that did i realise that i hadn't put in my location, so i went straight on and updated it.

I'm going to order some =C= 6550's and EL34's on Monday! Can't wait for them to come!

Cool man, now let us know your thoughts when you get to try them out!!

 

[aeroic]

Ah man, sorry about that!! You know, probably don't want to fool with that bro. Sorry.......

No worries mate! Only when you wrote that did i realise that i hadn't put in my location, so i went straight on and updated it.

I'm going to order some =C= 6550's and EL34's on Monday! Can't wait for them to come!

I'd recommend trying both the winged 6550s and the Svetlana 6550s. Honestly, I much prefer the Svet's for guitar amps. I've tried a lot of 6550s (Sovteks, Svets, Tung Sols, SED's, etc) and the Svets came on top for me. There was just a richness to the Svet 6550s with Egnater modules that just really is amazing. They are very warm, with great buttery mid-range, and a top end that perfectly matches any Egnater module.

I'd also recommend the TS EL34B. That's become my 2nd favorite tube for the Eggie stuff. Very crunchy sound without any of the harshness of a lot of EL34s.

My rankings on tubes:

1. Svet 6550s
2. TS EL34Bs
3. THD Yellowjackets w/ JJs
4. SED EL34s (Winged)
5. TS 6550s
6. TS 5881s

Those are the top tubes I've tried, with the top 3 by far my favorites. I could easily live with Jan Phillips 5751's in V1 of any clean - mid-gain module, Chinese 12ax7 in V1 of any high-gain modules, and TS 12ax7s in V2 of any module. Couple that with Svet 6550s, TS EL34bs, and THD Yellowjackets and that's all I really ever want or need.

Your mileage may vary though .

Eric

 

[jkdsteve]

Ah man, sorry about that!! You know, probably don't want to fool with that bro. Sorry.......

No worries mate! Only when you wrote that did i realise that i hadn't put in my location, so i went straight on and updated it.

I'm going to order some =C= 6550's and EL34's on Monday! Can't wait for them to come!

I'd recommend trying both the winged 6550s and the Svetlana 6550s. Honestly, I much prefer the Svet's for guitar amps. I've tried a lot of 6550s (Sovteks, Svets, Tung Sols, SED's, etc) and the Svets came on top for me. There was just a richness to the Svet 6550s with Egnater modules that just really is amazing. They are very warm, with great buttery mid-range, and a top end that perfectly matches any Egnater module.

I'd also recommend the TS EL34B. That's become my 2nd favorite tube for the Eggie stuff. Very crunchy sound without any of the harshness of a lot of EL34s.

My rankings on tubes:

1. Svet 6550s
2. TS EL34Bs
3. THD Yellowjackets w/ JJs
4. SED EL34s (Winged)
5. TS 6550s
6. TS 5881s

Those are the top tubes I've tried, with the top 3 by far my favorites. I could easily live with Jan Phillips 5751's in V1 of any clean - mid-gain module, Chinese 12ax7 in V1 of any high-gain modules, and TS 12ax7s in V2 of any module. Couple that with Svet 6550s, TS EL34bs, and THD Yellowjackets and that's all I really ever want or need.

Your mileage may vary though .

Eric

You don't have the Gold Lion KT88s in that list, nor the Ruby EL34BSTR nor GT-EL34M (6ca7)