Back to 5881s...

  • Thread starter Thread starter EWSEthan
  • Start date Start date
jmgman69":nz0y5li8 said:
O.K. I just put these in and I didn't get much time to crank it(wife was here)but W.T.F. these tubes sound SWEEEEEEET.I can't wait for the wife to split or roll the MOD out in the garage :rock: :D
Click to expand...

5881s??? What did you replace? EL34s?
 
OK,so I've got this pile of tubes out again and this is what I've come up with.The 5881s are very nice.They're like everyone said,they've got that 6L6gc and EL tone rapped up.Overall a little looser low end than the 6L6 and a real nice mid and nice highs.Better than the 6L6 BUT I threw the YJs in and these little fuckers rock!!!I had to swap out a few times to make sure it was EL84s.I really,really like these YJs.Since I don't want to hijack the thread the 5881s are very very nice and upgrade from the JJ6L6gc IMHO :D
 
richedie":21kefada said:
jmgman69":21kefada said:
O.K. I just put these in and I didn't get much time to crank it(wife was here)but W.T.F. these tubes sound SWEEEEEEET.I can't wait for the wife to split or roll the MOD out in the garage :rock: :D
Click to expand...

5881s??? What did you replace? EL34s?
Click to expand...
Just about everyrthing I had laying around :D
 
Telefield, you said:
In my case I get the following with Tung Sol 5881s and I am happy (these all have EH 12aX7 in them)
- B'Man A: Clean and Warm
- B'Man B: Bluesy Breakup
- SL2 A: BLues Rock Leads
- SL2 B: Heavy Chunky Rhythm


However, I think EL34s are capable as well. I thgini the preamp has more to do with that character...no?
 
richedie":l93gaga1 said:
Telefield, you said:
In my case I get the following with Tung Sol 5881s and I am happy (these all have EH 12aX7 in them)
- B'Man A: Clean and Warm
- B'Man B: Bluesy Breakup
- SL2 A: BLues Rock Leads
- SL2 B: Heavy Chunky Rhythm


However, I think EL34s are capable as well. I thgini the preamp has more to do with that character...no?
Click to expand...

Richedie I have to disagree. I was not able to coax a stellar clean or bluesy breakup tone out of any EL34 type tube I tried. THe B'Man module is stellar through the Tung Sol 5881s and all EL34 tubes paled in comparison on that module. Again this is all purely my prespective and others ears and hands may disagree with me. I have tried SED EL34, JJ EL34 and JJ E34L, Mullard EL34 re-issue, EH EL34 and not one could coax the sweetnessout of the B'Man that the TUng 5881 couldIMO. Now about those yellow jacketts hmmmm.... haha
 
I agree. I only used the Groove Tubes EL34s that came with my MOD 50 with the BMan and they didnt come close to the tone with the Tung-Sol 5881s. Rich, didnt you order some? Im interested in hearing what you think. I think they'll blow you away!
 
Tele, which were the best EL34s? The JJ E34Ls? I may order some. I have used the stock SED EL34s and loved the clean tone, but I do agree it is a little better with the 5881s.

Matt, I have had the 5881s for about 4 days now and I thikn they are nice but I miss the thicker, harmonically rich mids of EL34s....that reall chewy tone I miss.
 
Well, I am pretty convinced I prefer EL34 tubes. I am just an EL34 guy and I find the cleans perfectly good. With that said, what do you all find to be the 'best' sounding EL34s for the MOD 50? I kind of have it down to the SED EL34s or the JJ EL34s/E34Ls. Of course, there are conflicting reviews all over the net.
 
I think you just have to try them for yourself. I have and really like the SED's. I don't think you can go wrong. I also think it's fun to have several different sets just to play around with! So just pick up a set of the JJ's and see what you think. Not a ton of $$.

I just popped the 5881's back in and they sound great too. I also swapped out the PI tube from the standar Sovtek to an EH.

This is such a fun amp......but I MUST get a Bassman back......I miss that one big time!!
 
I bet the Mullard EL34 reissues are expensive! I may order some JJ E34L but the Tube Store gave them a low rating for detail and clarity! They said the SED EL34 was the best all around EL34. Too bad mine have the bias drift issue.
 
3 Mile Stone":3umfb7wd said:
I just put my Mullard EL34 re-issues in and put in my Pete modded XTC module. Ran my Strat through a Fulltone OCD.


SHEEEEIT!! Sounded really good.
Click to expand...

Isn't that funny, I just sold 2 sets of the GT EL34-M's for $40 because I didn't think they sounded good at all with my Mod. They were rated 4, so maybe there wasn't enough head room or something. Not enough clarity and detail. Maybe I biased them up too hot or something, but they just didn't work for me.
 
Ordering up some JJ E34Ls. I see GT makes the same tube for twice as much! Interesting.
 
richedie":17w9wawq said:
Ordering up some JJ E34Ls. I see GT makes the same tube for twice as much! Interesting.
Click to expand...
I've got a set of JJs and some labeled GT and they look the same sound the same but didn't cost the same :confused: But my friend gave me the grooves LOL
 
Took the 5881s out and back in with the SED EL34s. Huge difference for me....I just love EL34s. Chewy, juicy....

Now, I have to decide on JJ EL34s or E34Ls. I am not sure the E34Ls will be as chewy and thick as regular EL34s.
 
Took the 5881s out and back in with the SED EL34s. Huge difference for me....I just love EL34s. Chewy, juicy....

Now, I have to decide on JJ EL34s or E34Ls. I am not sure the E34Ls will be as chewy and thick as regular EL34s.
 
richedie":3062ti2w said:
Took the 5881s out and back in with the SED EL34s. Huge difference for me....I just love EL34s. Chewy, juicy....

Now, I have to decide on JJ EL34s or E34Ls. I am not sure the E34Ls will be as chewy and thick as regular EL34s.
Click to expand...
I think they are more aggressive with more bite.
 
jmgman69":7tvao7qc said:
richedie":7tvao7qc said:
Took the 5881s out and back in with the SED EL34s. Huge difference for me....I just love EL34s. Chewy, juicy....

Now, I have to decide on JJ EL34s or E34Ls. I am not sure the E34Ls will be as chewy and thick as regular EL34s.
Click to expand...
I think they are more aggressive with more bite.
Click to expand...

You mean between the EL34s and E34Ls? Are they still as chewy and thick?
 
I did not think so at all. I found the E34L to be about is dead as it gets. I could not get them out fast enough. If you dig the EL34 go with it! And heck try 'em all that is the real beauty of the system. Seems like the trick will be to find a clean module that works well with EL34's. I'm sure it's doable. My Bassman sounds pretty good with 'em. I bet a Vox would work too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top