Whenever I watch one of Euge’s videos, I am always reminded that I should worry less about tubes/gear and maybe just focus on getting better at guitar. This guy can make anything sound great.
Thanks for this demo! It was very helpful to hear these two tubes in an identical amp. My opinion is that there is no contest for the kind of music you played in the demo - the 6550 bring out a clarity and aggression that go perfectly with those riffs. I felt that the EL34 disappeared a little into the mix, but sounded fantastic played alone at the end. I think the EL34 might have held up in the mix if the EQ on the amp was dialed up a little. But I'm glad you didn't try that. This demo was excellent. Thanks!
They both sound badass! I think I prefer the EL one, but the 6550 one isn't better or worse, just different. I have a feeling they would sound massive in a mix together, like rhythm tracks with EL on the left and 6550 on the right. Each would fill in the frequency holes the other leaves.
Indeed! I’m actually going to record an album in the near future and I’m planning to do just that 👍. There will be more info about the project / band in due time so stay tuned. It’s basically riff based metal in the style of BLS, Slayer and some other spices 🤘😎.
Very similar but without the mix: EL34 rounder, 6550 tighter When you're playging the solo in the mix, the EL34 sounds more "produced", like what we can usually hear on albums
Thanks for this video, it was really helpful. I’ll be changing to 6550s next time my JCM 800 needs new tubes based on this. Tighter and crunchier for heavy rhythms.
I like then both a lot and together (panned hard L & R) they are an amazing pair 👌. Like on the forthcoming RED WOLF - album: ua-cam.com/play/PLNp0B6WY2X5MCPahmyXAWSBJkmiheishB.html
The content you deliver is phenomenal. Thank you. I agree with Dani, both sound great and I think it's really a matter of personal taste and use case whether you pick one or the other.
I don't know if it's the matter of bass settings or it's the matter of the tubes, but it seems 6550 sound deeper and heavier on the low tones. It sounds AWESOME
Perkele! Nice playing mate, sick sounds! My favourite Marshall is the JMP with master volume. Maybe I should try to modify it to 6550. Thanks for sharing
It is 👌. But it’s a bit special amp anyways like the one with EL34s also. Here’s a few videos more if you’re interested: ua-cam.com/video/5I6nTYCEpVs/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/5s-Dd9C-tno/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/_OSB1TkIx3o/v-deo.html
They do thanks! Here’s more info about them if you’re interested; - ua-cam.com/video/5I6nTYCEpVs/v-deo.html - ua-cam.com/video/5s-Dd9C-tno/v-deo.html - ua-cam.com/video/_OSB1TkIx3o/v-deo.html
Wow, thanks for sharing Euge! First listen I'm feeling the 6550s make everything sound a little fuller! Question, so the 6550s were able to be biased correctly with no modifications? I have a JCM 800 2210 from 1990 and the bias pot is inside the amp! I use the groove tubes bias probe with a multimeter when necessary! Gracias amigo!
Thanks! I’m not an amp tech but I go through that stuff, based on my tech’s notes, on this video: ua-cam.com/video/5I6nTYCEpVs/v-deo.html Check it out if you will 😉👌.
For me they sounded pretty similar, i think its only nuances between the two amps. I think that the impact of preamp-tubes is far greater. I did a similar experiment with my Diezel Einstein with Kt77 and my friends Einstein with El34 power tubes. Little to no difference.
Yeah preamp tubes have a bigger impact and the differences between power amp tubes are quite subtle in general like you wrote😊. I think the differences are more evident when you’re playing; how the tubes react to your playing, the feel of the low end etc. The EL34 one sounded quite a bit duller when I had different preamp tubes on it but when I put the same ones on both their sound is more in the same ballpark so to say. When both had EL34s they sounded so similar that there really wasn’t any difference between them. Almost identical.
Super helpful video. I have the JMD:1 with 4 el34 and 1 ecc83. I have to rebuild the Shell using baltic birch because Marshall uses some cheap compress wood that would break during time.
Just awesome :D The 6550 is like the black sheep in the family, wild, uncontrollable, attitude. The other guy, the EL34 is calm, always do as the parents says. But, hell nooo nooo not 6550, he likes to stretch the boundaries. 6550 is the wild child :) Fu***ng awesome :D Do you think its possible to swap the EL34 in the SIlver Jubilee? I have the mini version 20/5 watt.
Thanks! 😎 Indeed 🤘👊 Don’t know but a qualified amp tech should know since it needs quite a bit of work. At least my 800 needed according to my amp tech.
To me, the 6550 has big balls. The el34 has nuts. I'm biased though as I've always run 6550s or kt77 in my Marshalls. The kt77 sounds like a blend of the 6550 and el34 or in between them to me. Kinda gives the best of both worlds. At least in most of the amps I tried them in.
6550 always. I have a Marshall 2500 (SLX 50 watt) I use a Metal Zone without the distortion on 0-2 and the level up and it's got the parametric eq controls so you can get many sounds.
Love the video and it’s a great comparison to do, however I don’t hear a difference really between the valves (I’m listening on my iPhone, so will check it out later on my monitor speakers properly). I feel that you would hear a much bigger difference if you cranked the amps up. I had a valve amp from laney and they state in their documentation that to get power amp distortion you need to run the volume above 7 (that was where their power amp distortion started), so I’d be interested to see how they sound if you really push the volume levels, coz at the moment I think all the tone is coming from the pre amp which is probably the same in each (can’t remember if you mentioned that)
Thanks! The amps were quite cranked. With master volume on two these amps are louder than any other Marshall I’ve played. For example with my JCM2000 TSL I have to turn the master volume at 6 to get to the same level as with these on 2 😊. So these go basically from quiet (master 0) to full blast (master 1) 😊. And I don’t really like power amp distortion so I push the amps just as loud as I can until the power tubes start to break and then I dial a little bit back. With phone speakers a cheap solid state 1watt amp sounds the same as a 100watt tube amp so I don’t recommed anyone listening anything with those. Especially gear demos 😁😁😁.
@@EugeValovirta230V Just had a listen through my studio monitors and I still can't really hear a difference. I would be really interested if you could get hold of an Ox box or other power attenuator and crank the volumes to see how different the valves are. Also maybe do a blind test? (just show a blank screen and play the audio and see if that highlights the difference.) What mic setup are you using? maybe it sounds totally different in the room but UA-cam's compression is ruining it for me.
The amps were pretty cranked and I used Suhr Reactive Load IR with Jens Bogren’s ”Sound of God EQ2” IR. Please check out the description for the gear I used 😊👍
One of my 800's has el34's and the other KT-88's. The KT88's have a pretty loose bottom. I prefer the EL34's across the board. A tech who used to put KT88's in for a 5x multi-platinum artist frim the 90's told me 6550's are the way to go because they have a tighter low end. I got a set of 8x Winged C's, but haven't gotten around to testing them yet.
I did actually recap the el34 amp though... So we will see. I'm pretty sure I should like 6550 more than el34, but if I don't, I'll just have to recap that amp too.
Hey Man. Honestly I didn't hear big differences, they sound very similar to me. Maybe the 6550 is a bit tighter. Probably in person the differences are bigger. I have 6550s in both my 2203 and they sound different to me even with same tubes. But Anyways, great videos man! You fucking rock!
The differences are quite subtle but in person a bit more noticeable. Especially how it feels to play with them and how they react to the playing. Glad to hear! Thanks! 🤘
Great playing, but with the master volume on 2 the power valves won't be making that much contribution to the sound. Could you do it again with the master on 5 or above? Cheers!
Thanks! I think the sweet spot, at least on these two amps, are around two. After that the sound becomes quite farty and mushy. But maybe I’ll do it in the future 😊. Cheers!
@@EugeValovirta230V If that's the case then there is something wrong with the amp. Too much grid current on the power section perhaps? A good tech will be able to tell you. The amp should really start to come alive at 4 on the master, and from about 7 on then it really does start to get more and more compressed, and a bit loose and out of control as power section is overworked.
Mark Baldwin I like the amps just the way they are and react and they both were at an amp tech for re-tubing etc. like I said on the video. But these two are a bit hotter than any 800 I’ve played. For example my JCM2000 TSL starts to come alive when the master is above 4 but these come alive at 1 and 2 is the sweet spot and 3 a bit too much 😎👍 And that’s what I like about them: hot & mean. Amp techs have told me that they could ”tame” them a bit but I’ve said ”Hell no, they’re perfect, I don’t care where the master should or should not be for the power tubes to start really working. I use my ears to dial a sound and not my eyes”👍.
Master volume on full if you really want to hear what the power tubes sounds like.And if if it gets to flabby turn down the preamp and bass.And if its still not happening adjust the bias to a lower setting like 30 mA then it should sound tighter.
The 6550 sounds a bit hollow. Once you get past the excitement of a big bottom end it's actually kinda lacking harmonic richness in the mids that the el34 has
As ever great content and stuff we all want to know. I’ve got EL34 in mine but have wanted to try the 6550. Will have to find some. What was the pre amp stuff again?
I think this video proves that usually wasting money and modding and tweaking just fucks up the formula that made it a successful product that everyone fell in love with in the first place.
Hi Euge, do you think that 6550 dissipate more heat than EL34? I have a marshall 2203 converted to 6550 that is so hot! Even if bias is set cold to about 40 mA! Thank you and congrats for your UA-cam page! 🤟🏼🤟🏼
Fantastic vid brother.. since the 6550 was introduced by Marshall to the USA as a way to curb the complaints about EL-34's not lasting long enough.. it got complaints as well about higher headroom as compared to the EL34. That being said.. I think the 6550 and KT88 sound big and thick.. but I think you need to include more power tube distortion.. since you have the reactive load.. have you tried running preamp gain below 7.. but pushing the master to 6 or 8 as well to combine more power tube sag.. this may be an interesting test and I think the 6550 will really shine there..??
Thanks! These two heads are a bit special since when the master knob is at 3 it’s actually at 10. At 0.5 these are as loud & behave like a usual 2203 at 3-4 like my 2203ZW head. When you dial them past 5 they blow up 😎. But they are the best and most aggressive 800s I’ve ever played and owned so I’ve always told to my amp techs that don’t change anything when they’ve been maintenanced. That’s why I always tell everyone not to dial their amps with their eyes but with their ears. These were made to Scandinavian markets in the 80s and all others of the ”batch” I’ve tried are the same 😎. Here’s more info about them if you’re interested: - ua-cam.com/video/5I6nTYCEpVs/v-deo.html - ua-cam.com/video/5s-Dd9C-tno/v-deo.html - ua-cam.com/video/_OSB1TkIx3o/v-deo.html I should’ve mentioned this in the video ’cos man I’ve answered this to so many comments 😁.
@@EugeValovirta230V Sorry Euge, I am a bit new to your channel but love the content.. you vids for sure are well thought up and edited.. I know how much time this takes and even as a hobbyist we all appreciate it. I was looking for vids on EL34 vs 6550 knowing that USA Marshalls originally came that way.. a buddy of mine in the 80's played a silverbust LP custom before they were cool and originally had a LANEY but it did not have the harmonic content that the Marshalls do.. after he got his JCM 800 he was in heaven and that one came stock with 6550.. pinch harmonics just jumped from the guitar.. love your stuff and comparisons.. very helpful.. !!
Not at all. I have guitars tuned from E to A and use them all 😎👌. Here I play all my 800s with a standard E guitar: ua-cam.com/video/5I6nTYCEpVs/v-deo.html
@@EugeValovirta230V Right on...I also have a dedicated guitar for C# where all the strings are tuned down 3 half steps like Tony Iommi did on Master of Reality, Vol. 4, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath and 1/2 of Sabotage. I'm trying to figure out which tubes to go with, 6L6's, EL34's or the 6550's. I have a JMP 2203 100 watt from 1978, stock. Do you know of any other preamp tubes besides the 12AX7's that may sweeten the sound a bit more?
@@EugeValovirta230V but it’s the overdrive overdriving the noise as well? The noise gate picks up the small noise amplitudes with similar patterns, as far as i understand, so the overdriven (already amplified signal) can’t have the noise removed as good as not overdriven.
Overdrives & pedals in general generate hiss / noise and noise gate reduces that. The other noise gate I use a lot is my right hand & guitar’s volume knob. If I plug my guitar straight into an amp it’s dead quiet. Except of course the small hiss tube amps create when cranked but that’s just part of the charm 😎. Here’s a video I did about this matter if you’re interested: ua-cam.com/video/3F6z8mz-U-E/v-deo.html
@@brunosoupin2746 eh sim, eu encomendei um clone de 2204 com 6550, na verdade quando encomendei la nos anos 2000 nem sabia de tanta coisa kkkk e até gostava mais de Mesa, mas por alguns motivos um deles o preço que era mais barato que um clone de Mesa escolhi o jcm800 e agora é Marshall o que eu mais curto.
Good question indeed. Get an EL34 one, take it to an amp tech and ask him / her to mod it to be used with 6550s. That’s what I did to one of my 800s 😎.
A Marshall with real USA Tung Sol 6550s nails the Jimi Hendrix Band of Gypsys sound.....new production Tung Sol 6550s are just really buying the name not that old school tone. Ebay tube prices will tell you...why would people spend so much money on old used tubes? TONE! EL34s compress quicker, better for diming out for classic power tube distortion where 6550s are huge headroom better for clean tones and tube distortion pedals....it depends what you are looking for - heres my Marshall JCM 800 with 1965 Tung Sol 6550s and Telefunken ECC83s - sorry you guys probably wont like the style but it will give you an idea of the sound - ua-cam.com/video/4XP7l0qzwd8/v-deo.html
There is too much shit in front of the amp. An OD, Decimator and a guitar in dropped D with active pickups? A true test would be a stock Les Paul straight in. Nice playing, but this really won’t give you an accurate representation of the differences.
Well... That is YOUR sound vs my sound. Pre amp sound doesn't mean bad but it's a matter of taste. Well.... I think 6550 vs EL34 in your case is basically an eq thing. The differences between those tubes with a cranked amp become smaller than om your clip. It's more like.... Grid, breakup and a tiny bit of compression. I love 6CA7 in my Marshall. But I wanna try 6550 and Kt88. And that is why I ended up here. Ps I listen with my ears 😉
How is the SD-1 supposed to help me differentiate? How is the backing track supposed to help? Just play the amps at high volume. No need to talk about it. Just do it.
Bad idea and can damage your power transformer which is not designed for higher voltage tubes like 6550.Ask a qualified technician they will tell you the sane thing.
I know and the power transformer was changed by a qualified technician who also did the the tube work and some other things that was needed 👍😉. Didn’t I explain this on the video? 😎
Soldano88 Not really.. If you bias the 6550 correctly in a Marshall there is no issue. The reason the 70’s - 80’s Marshalls were fitted with 6550s in the US is because they were having failures from EL34s while Europe was not. The thought was that the EL34s were not shipping well overseas from Europe so US Marshall distributors were fitting them with 6550s instead (why not 5881s or 6L6GCs I have no clue). The transformers were identical to the EL34 equipped ones in Europe so they had to bias them accounting for 25W max dissipation like an EL34 instead of the 35W the 6550 is capable of. In theory the only changes needed to switch between the two tubes is just the bias range resistors and maybe screen resistors but that’s it.
Whenever I watch one of Euge’s videos, I am always reminded that I should worry less about tubes/gear and maybe just focus on getting better at guitar. This guy can make anything sound great.
Glad to hear! Thanks!
Thanks for this demo! It was very helpful to hear these two tubes in an identical amp. My opinion is that there is no contest for the kind of music you played in the demo - the 6550 bring out a clarity and aggression that go perfectly with those riffs. I felt that the EL34 disappeared a little into the mix, but sounded fantastic played alone at the end. I think the EL34 might have held up in the mix if the EQ on the amp was dialed up a little. But I'm glad you didn't try that. This demo was excellent. Thanks!
Thanks! Glad to hear!
Agreed. 6550s had a fatter bottom end. EL34s were a little thin on the bottom end but sounded excellent in the solo section.
They both sound badass! I think I prefer the EL one, but the 6550 one isn't better or worse, just different. I have a feeling they would sound massive in a mix together, like rhythm tracks with EL on the left and 6550 on the right. Each would fill in the frequency holes the other leaves.
Indeed! I’m actually going to record an album in the near future and I’m planning to do just that 👍. There will be more info about the project / band in due time so stay tuned. It’s basically riff based metal in the style of BLS, Slayer and some other spices 🤘😎.
Thank you, this video is really helpful!) Think 6550 is better for rhythm, and el34 sounds better for solo
Glad to hear! Thanks!
I had the same conclusion. The 6550s sounded great for rhythm, but I loved the smoothness of the EL34s for the leads.
Such a genuine reaction in 16:05 !! thanks for the test mate!!!
Yes indeed! :-) Thanks! \m/
Very similar but without the mix: EL34 rounder, 6550 tighter
When you're playging the solo in the mix, the EL34 sounds more "produced", like what we can usually hear on albums
Yeah that’s about how I feel about them too 👍😎.
Thanks for this video, it was really helpful. I’ll be changing to 6550s next time my JCM 800 needs new tubes based on this. Tighter and crunchier for heavy rhythms.
Glad to hear that! Thanks! Indeed 👌💪
They both sound good but the 6550 amp is on another level!
I like then both a lot and together (panned hard L & R) they are an amazing pair 👌. Like on the forthcoming RED WOLF - album: ua-cam.com/play/PLNp0B6WY2X5MCPahmyXAWSBJkmiheishB.html
Great demo! I got 2203 '86 and need to change tubes/valves. To make sure I choose correct I ordered 2 hockey sticks. Thanks!
Thanks! Great! 😎
Wow, just wow. When an amp makes you go 16:07, you know it's a winner!
😊👌🔥
That 6550 head is so heavy, it's got its own gravitational pull. That no more tears riff towards the end was xxxtra spicy 😅
Thanks for using the Jens Bogren IR pack, Euge! 🤘
My pleasure since it’s awesome! 👌🔥🤘
Just got an afd 100 cant wait to try every octal power tube
Cool!
The content you deliver is phenomenal. Thank you. I agree with Dani, both sound great and I think it's really a matter of personal taste and use case whether you pick one or the other.
Thanks Marc! 😊. Exactly 👍
I don't know if it's the matter of bass settings or it's the matter of the tubes, but it seems 6550 sound deeper and heavier on the low tones. It sounds AWESOME
Around 16:30 is exactly the best description for this amps sound
Indeed 😊
I put KT88 in my JCM 800 4104 and I love it. It really changed the low end of the amp. It feels like it has more headroom maybe.
Cool!
Perkele! Nice playing mate, sick sounds! My favourite Marshall is the JMP with master volume. Maybe I should try to modify it to 6550. Thanks for sharing
great video! the 6550 sound tighter and the mids are pushed ... sounds to me like boosting the EL34 with a tube screamer
Thanks! 👌
❤love the video man ur solving my questions in minutes this is amazing thank you for the videos
Glad to hear it! Thanks!
El34-Zack, territory. 6550-Dino, Fear Factory territory. Great job! Thinking of going 6505 for the jvm now.
Glad to hear! Thanks! Zakk actually uses 6550s but I hear ya 😉👍
Really nice. Great guitarist, very knowledgeable, humble person. Thank you.
Thanks Frank! 🙏☺️
I like to hear both amps played without any effects whatsoever. Just guitar > amp > cab > microphone > without any processing.
Here’s one: ua-cam.com/video/5I6nTYCEpVs/v-deo.html
And there’s more on my channel 😉.
Holy crap the 6550 JCM800 is nasty! That reaction of yours is priceless.
It is 👌. But it’s a bit special amp anyways like the one with EL34s also.
Here’s a few videos more if you’re interested:
ua-cam.com/video/5I6nTYCEpVs/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/5s-Dd9C-tno/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/_OSB1TkIx3o/v-deo.html
awesome vid as always. i pref 6550s, they sound more natural to my ears than the el34s
Thanks!
Thank You been wanting to hear this!
Cool! Thanks!
Damn those old 800s are the amazing! And your playing sounds best through them, especially those Zakk squeals. Should try a Laney GH100TI next!
Both sound killer! Strange lay-down power transformers!? And also, the later 2203 has less filtering - which changes the response/character a little.
They do thanks! Here’s more info about them if you’re interested;
- ua-cam.com/video/5I6nTYCEpVs/v-deo.html
- ua-cam.com/video/5s-Dd9C-tno/v-deo.html
- ua-cam.com/video/_OSB1TkIx3o/v-deo.html
Thanks again another bad ass comparison. Very helpful
Would love to hear you compare the 2203 re issue against these?🙏👍
Thanks! If I get my hands on one someday 👌.
great video Euge
Thanks!
Wow, thanks for sharing Euge! First listen I'm feeling the 6550s make everything sound a little fuller! Question, so the 6550s were able to be biased correctly with no modifications? I have a JCM 800 2210 from 1990 and the bias pot is inside the amp! I use the groove tubes bias probe with a multimeter when necessary! Gracias amigo!
Thanks!
I’m not an amp tech but I go through that stuff, based on my tech’s notes, on this video: ua-cam.com/video/5I6nTYCEpVs/v-deo.html
Check it out if you will 😉👌.
Both sound killer but Jesus, that bass tone in the mix was nasty!!
Yeah!
For me they sounded pretty similar, i think its only nuances between the two amps.
I think that the impact of preamp-tubes is far greater.
I did a similar experiment with my Diezel Einstein with Kt77 and my friends Einstein with El34 power tubes.
Little to no difference.
Yeah preamp tubes have a bigger impact and the differences between power amp tubes are quite subtle in general like you wrote😊.
I think the differences are more evident when you’re playing; how the tubes react to your playing, the feel of the low end etc. The EL34 one sounded quite a bit duller when I had different preamp tubes on it but when I put the same ones on both their sound is more in the same ballpark so to say.
When both had EL34s they sounded so similar that there really wasn’t any difference between them. Almost identical.
Super helpful video. I have the JMD:1 with 4 el34 and 1 ecc83. I have to rebuild the Shell using baltic birch because Marshall uses some cheap compress wood that would break during time.
Thanks! Really glad to hear this! 🙏
Just awesome :D
The 6550 is like the black sheep in the family, wild, uncontrollable, attitude. The other guy, the EL34 is calm, always do as the parents says. But, hell nooo nooo not 6550, he likes to stretch the boundaries. 6550 is the wild child :) Fu***ng awesome :D
Do you think its possible to swap the EL34 in the SIlver Jubilee? I have the mini version 20/5 watt.
Thanks! 😎
Indeed 🤘👊
Don’t know but a qualified amp tech should know since it needs quite a bit of work. At least my 800 needed according to my amp tech.
To me, the 6550 has big balls. The el34 has nuts. I'm biased though as I've always run 6550s or kt77 in my Marshalls. The kt77 sounds like a blend of the 6550 and el34 or in between them to me. Kinda gives the best of both worlds. At least in most of the amps I tried them in.
Ps. I still like wooden hockey sticks. I have an aluminum with composite blade but don't like it much.
😎💪
Me too 😎
6550 always. I have a Marshall 2500 (SLX 50 watt) I use a Metal Zone without the distortion on 0-2 and the level up and it's got the parametric eq controls so you can get many sounds.
EL34’s for me. Love the squish.
Love the video and it’s a great comparison to do, however I don’t hear a difference really between the valves (I’m listening on my iPhone, so will check it out later on my monitor speakers properly). I feel that you would hear a much bigger difference if you cranked the amps up. I had a valve amp from laney and they state in their documentation that to get power amp distortion you need to run the volume above 7 (that was where their power amp distortion started), so I’d be interested to see how they sound if you really push the volume levels, coz at the moment I think all the tone is coming from the pre amp which is probably the same in each (can’t remember if you mentioned that)
Thanks! The amps were quite cranked. With master volume on two these amps are louder than any other Marshall I’ve played. For example with my JCM2000 TSL I have to turn the master volume at 6 to get to the same level as with these on 2 😊. So these go basically from quiet (master 0) to full blast (master 1) 😊.
And I don’t really like power amp distortion so I push the amps just as loud as I can until the power tubes start to break and then I dial a little bit back.
With phone speakers a cheap solid state 1watt amp sounds the same as a 100watt tube amp so I don’t recommed anyone listening anything with those. Especially gear demos 😁😁😁.
@@EugeValovirta230V Just had a listen through my studio monitors and I still can't really hear a difference. I would be really interested if you could get hold of an Ox box or other power attenuator and crank the volumes to see how different the valves are. Also maybe do a blind test? (just show a blank screen and play the audio and see if that highlights the difference.) What mic setup are you using? maybe it sounds totally different in the room but UA-cam's compression is ruining it for me.
The amps were pretty cranked and I used Suhr Reactive Load IR with Jens Bogren’s ”Sound of God EQ2” IR. Please check out the description for the gear I used 😊👍
I like the cut of your jib, sir. Have a sub!
Glad to hear 😎. Thanks!
They are so close that other things could account for the slight difference. El34's cost quite a bit less money, though; that's one thing to consider.
They are indeed. Much closer than people usually think.
Holy fuck the 6550s hits like a sledge hammer. The EL34s are thinner but still hold their own
💪😎
6550’s all the way. Love your videos man. Would love to see a KT-88 comparison video of some sort.
💪😎. Thanks!
If I get my hands on one that has those then for sure!
One of my 800's has el34's and the other KT-88's. The KT88's have a pretty loose bottom.
I prefer the EL34's across the board. A tech who used to put KT88's in for a 5x multi-platinum artist frim the 90's told me 6550's are the way to go because they have a tighter low end. I got a set of 8x Winged C's, but haven't gotten around to testing them yet.
I did actually recap the el34 amp though... So we will see. I'm pretty sure I should like 6550 more than el34, but if I don't, I'll just have to recap that amp too.
I put Gold Lion KT77 on my JCM800,It's really a big different with EL34,
You should try out,The upper mid is tight and huge headroom is tasty.
I’ve tried it but I prefer 6550s and EL34s.
I have a 1982 2203 with 6550 in it now it's the best its ever sounded . I know why you are smiling . Oh i have owned mine since new .
Hell yeah! Awesome! 😊💪
Hey Man. Honestly I didn't hear big differences, they sound very similar to me. Maybe the 6550 is a bit tighter. Probably in person the differences are bigger. I have 6550s in both my 2203 and they sound different to me even with same tubes. But Anyways, great videos man! You fucking rock!
The differences are quite subtle but in person a bit more noticeable. Especially how it feels to play with them and how they react to the playing. Glad to hear! Thanks! 🤘
The 6550 seemed to be much clearer, an obvious improvement with the style of music you have demoed here IMO ☺️
Great playing, but with the master volume on 2 the power valves won't be making that much contribution to the sound. Could you do it again with the master on 5 or above? Cheers!
Thanks! I think the sweet spot, at least on these two amps, are around two. After that the sound becomes quite farty and mushy. But maybe I’ll do it in the future 😊. Cheers!
@@EugeValovirta230V If that's the case then there is something wrong with the amp. Too much grid current on the power section perhaps? A good tech will be able to tell you. The amp should really start to come alive at 4 on the master, and from about 7 on then it really does start to get more and more compressed, and a bit loose and out of control as power section is overworked.
Mark Baldwin I like the amps just the way they are and react and they both were at an amp tech for re-tubing etc. like I said on the video. But these two are a bit hotter than any 800 I’ve played. For example my JCM2000 TSL starts to come alive when the master is above 4 but these come alive at 1 and 2 is the sweet spot and 3 a bit too much 😎👍
And that’s what I like about them: hot & mean. Amp techs have told me that they could ”tame” them a bit but I’ve said ”Hell no, they’re perfect, I don’t care where the master should or should not be for the power tubes to start really working. I use my ears to dial a sound and not my eyes”👍.
Master volume on full if you really want to hear what the power tubes sounds like.And if if it gets to flabby turn down the preamp and bass.And if its still not happening adjust the bias to a lower setting like 30 mA then it should sound tighter.
The 6550 sounds a bit hollow. Once you get past the excitement of a big bottom end it's actually kinda lacking harmonic richness in the mids that the el34 has
As ever great content and stuff we all want to know. I’ve got EL34 in mine but have wanted to try the 6550. Will have to find some. What was the pre amp stuff again?
Thanks! The preamp tubes on both: V1 position: JJ ECC83 S and V2 & V3 positions: ENGL ECC83 S. 6550 tubes are Tung-Sol.
Thank you sorry I was typing the above and you said it moments after in the video.
😁👍
I think this video proves that usually wasting money and modding and tweaking just fucks up the formula that made it a successful product that everyone fell in love with in the first place.
Yeah some of them came with 6550s (mainly for USA market) and some with EL34s (mainly for Europe) 👌
Thank you for your sharing about the difference between EL34 with 6550, but 6550 can directly replace EL34 in your amp?no any change in circuit?
You’re welcome 🙏. You have to have a qualified amp tech to do the job since it requires some modifications.
@@EugeValovirta230V thank you for your reply 🙏 if i use the jvm210h, what would I modify?
I have no idea since I’m not an amp tech 😎.
@@EugeValovirta230V oh I see🙏thanks
I liked the JCM 800 more...
Which one? 😁
@@EugeValovirta230V lol, honestly they're both rockin! I think the EL34 just hits on the right way for me.
👍😊
Would love you to do a demo of the kk 800 mate an see how it compares to the stock and zw 800s
Would be awesome! If I get my hands on the KK then for sure 👍🤘
@@EugeValovirta230V nice one mate
4:58 and 6:30 hit those blue number to hear the same riff compared
Have you tried kt77? i read it's a drop in replacment for el-34, with more headroom and bass,highs of a 6l6 and midrange of an el34.
I haven’t 😎.
@@EugeValovirta230V Then you have a new video to make 😜
If I get my hands on an amp that has those since I won’t mess with my own amps which are just the way I want them to be👌😎.
click to compare asap 3:56 to 5:28
What brand of 6550's are you using? Sounds sick!
Tung-Sol. Thanks!
👍🇬🇧❤EL34
Hi Euge, do you think that 6550 dissipate more heat than EL34? I have a marshall 2203 converted to 6550 that is so hot! Even if bias is set cold to about 40 mA! Thank you and congrats for your UA-cam page! 🤟🏼🤟🏼
My old Marshalls are all so hot I could fry an egg on the frontplate 😎🔥. With 6550s & EL34s.
Fantastic vid brother.. since the 6550 was introduced by Marshall to the USA as a way to curb the complaints about EL-34's not lasting long enough.. it got complaints as well about higher headroom as compared to the EL34. That being said.. I think the 6550 and KT88 sound big and thick.. but I think you need to include more power tube distortion.. since you have the reactive load.. have you tried running preamp gain below 7.. but pushing the master to 6 or 8 as well to combine more power tube sag.. this may be an interesting test and I think the 6550 will really shine there..??
Thanks!
These two heads are a bit special since when the master knob is at 3 it’s actually at 10. At 0.5 these are as loud & behave like a usual 2203 at 3-4 like my 2203ZW head. When you dial them past 5 they blow up 😎. But they are the best and most aggressive 800s I’ve ever played and owned so I’ve always told to my amp techs that don’t change anything when they’ve been maintenanced. That’s why I always tell everyone not to dial their amps with their eyes but with their ears.
These were made to Scandinavian markets in the 80s and all others of the ”batch” I’ve tried are the same 😎.
Here’s more info about them if you’re interested:
- ua-cam.com/video/5I6nTYCEpVs/v-deo.html
- ua-cam.com/video/5s-Dd9C-tno/v-deo.html
- ua-cam.com/video/_OSB1TkIx3o/v-deo.html
I should’ve mentioned this in the video ’cos man I’ve answered this to so many comments 😁.
@@EugeValovirta230V Sorry Euge, I am a bit new to your channel but love the content.. you vids for sure are well thought up and edited.. I know how much time this takes and even as a hobbyist we all appreciate it. I was looking for vids on EL34 vs 6550 knowing that USA Marshalls originally came that way.. a buddy of mine in the 80's played a silverbust LP custom before they were cool and originally had a LANEY but it did not have the harmonic content that the Marshalls do.. after he got his JCM 800 he was in heaven and that one came stock with 6550.. pinch harmonics just jumped from the guitar.. love your stuff and comparisons.. very helpful.. !!
No worries man! Glad to hear that you like the content 🙏. RAWK 🤟😎.
Power amp distortion just sounds like shit no matter which tubes you use.
Can’t argues with personal preferences 😎. To me that’s the magic with tube amps 💪.
So this video convinced me to design my new amp for 6550.
👌👍
Aina yhtä viihdyttävää 😁💪
Tänks! 😊👍
Do you always rune to C#? Because that affects the tone, would you do the comparison in E?
Not at all. I have guitars tuned from E to A and use them all 😎👌.
Here I play all my 800s with a standard E guitar: ua-cam.com/video/5I6nTYCEpVs/v-deo.html
@@EugeValovirta230V Right on...I also have a dedicated guitar for C# where all the strings are tuned down 3 half steps like Tony Iommi did on Master of Reality, Vol. 4, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath and 1/2 of Sabotage. I'm trying to figure out which tubes to go with, 6L6's, EL34's or the 6550's. I have a JMP 2203 100 watt from 1978, stock. Do you know of any other preamp tubes besides the 12AX7's that may sweeten the sound a bit more?
👌
I have JJ ECC83S on all my amps on all slots and they’re (obviously 😊) my favourite preamp tubes.
Sounds amazing!....wow....who needs all that computer hocus pocus axe effects Kemper crap...
They do indeed! That stuff has it’s place too and is very handy sometimes but a real tube amp still a real tube amp 👌😎.
nd great choice of amps.. great minds think alike
💪😎
Why is the noise bate after the overdrive?
To reduce the noise from the overdrive and pedals in general.
@@EugeValovirta230V but it’s the overdrive overdriving the noise as well? The noise gate picks up the small noise amplitudes with similar patterns, as far as i understand, so the overdriven (already amplified signal) can’t have the noise removed as good as not overdriven.
Overdrives & pedals in general generate hiss / noise and noise gate reduces that. The other noise gate I use a lot is my right hand & guitar’s volume knob. If I plug my guitar straight into an amp it’s dead quiet. Except of course the small hiss tube amps create when cranked but that’s just part of the charm 😎. Here’s a video I did about this matter if you’re interested: ua-cam.com/video/3F6z8mz-U-E/v-deo.html
@@EugeValovirta230V thanks!
Tuned to Db with drop B?
Can’t remember what I used on this one and can’t take a listen atm 😎.
@@EugeValovirta230V i was close!
ENGL tubes are usually sovtek, at least that's what came in my E650 when I got it
My tech checked from them and the answer was JJ but who knows. The only thing that matters anyway whether they sound good or not 👌😎.
Aqui do Sul do Brasil para deixar um parabéns pelo vídeo. 6550 tem mais soco, mas as duas são ótimas. Eu vou de 6550.
Thanks! Indeed 💪🙏
6550 é um coice
@@brunosoupin2746 eh sim, eu encomendei um clone de 2204 com 6550, na verdade quando encomendei la nos anos 2000 nem sabia de tanta coisa kkkk e até gostava mais de Mesa, mas por alguns motivos um deles o preço que era mais barato que um clone de Mesa escolhi o jcm800 e agora é Marshall o que eu mais curto.
hmm i couldn't tell a differerence...
It’s quite subtle and UA-cam audio compression etc...
Who clicked on this because of that crazy guitar?
😎
Were i can find one 6550 ?
Good question indeed.
Get an EL34 one, take it to an amp tech and ask him / her to mod it to be used with 6550s. That’s what I did to one of my 800s 😎.
@@EugeValovirta230V Hey, Thanks for the answer.
I am considering whether it is possible to plant the tubes in a new jcm reissue.
6550 rougher, EL34 smoother. I like smoother.
I like ’em both. Obviously 😊.
It depends on the mood and the music you may want to play. Sometimes it is one, sometimes another. Neither are worse or better.
10:45 13:49
El34. More grind and edge. 6550 more bass and clean headroom low end
👌
@@EugeValovirta230V white power hand sign? Lol nice
Kt66 best tubes
4:59 6:31
El34
A Marshall with real USA Tung Sol 6550s nails the Jimi Hendrix Band of Gypsys sound.....new production Tung Sol 6550s are just really buying the name not that old school tone. Ebay tube prices will tell you...why would people spend so much money on old used tubes? TONE! EL34s compress quicker, better for diming out for classic power tube distortion where 6550s are huge headroom better for clean tones and tube distortion pedals....it depends what you are looking for - heres my Marshall JCM 800 with 1965 Tung Sol 6550s and Telefunken ECC83s - sorry you guys probably wont like the style but it will give you an idea of the sound - ua-cam.com/video/4XP7l0qzwd8/v-deo.html
👌🎼
The 6550s were a little mufdier
EL34s definitely has that "clank" in them.
There is too much shit in front of the amp. An OD, Decimator and a guitar in dropped D with active pickups? A true test would be a stock Les Paul straight in. Nice playing, but this really won’t give you an accurate representation of the differences.
Here is none of that scheize 😁: ua-cam.com/video/5I6nTYCEpVs/v-deo.html
Sounds pre-ampish.... Not suprising with the master on two.
Sure. One should never dial amps with eyes but with ears:
ua-cam.com/video/5I6nTYCEpVs/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/vCxlsdErftk/v-deo.html
Well... That is YOUR sound vs my sound. Pre amp sound doesn't mean bad but it's a matter of taste.
Well.... I think 6550 vs EL34 in your case is basically an eq thing.
The differences between those tubes with a cranked amp become smaller than om your clip.
It's more like.... Grid, breakup and a tiny bit of compression.
I love 6CA7 in my Marshall.
But I wanna try 6550 and Kt88. And that is why I ended up here.
Ps I listen with my ears 😉
Indeed 😎.
You are absolutely right 👌.
Sorry if I was a bit short. Didn’t mean it like that 🙏.
EL34s cannot be topped
I like 'em both a lot.
How is the SD-1 supposed to help me differentiate? How is the backing track supposed to help? Just play the amps at high volume. No need to talk about it. Just do it.
I can’t answer for you but those helps me a lot as a professional recording & touring musician & sound engineer. Have a great day! 🤟😎
Great attitude but again a worthless comparison when using pedals as well as not showing the clean channel differences
They have only one channel 😎🤟.
DIFFERENCES IN CLEAN TONES
Ah 😎. It’s 800 so not much 😁
Bad idea and can damage your power transformer which is not designed for higher voltage tubes like 6550.Ask a qualified technician they will tell you the sane thing.
I know and the power transformer was changed by a qualified technician who also did the the tube work and some other things that was needed 👍😉. Didn’t I explain this on the video? 😎
Soldano88 Not really.. If you bias the 6550 correctly in a Marshall there is no issue. The reason the 70’s - 80’s Marshalls were fitted with 6550s in the US is because they were having failures from EL34s while Europe was not. The thought was that the EL34s were not shipping well overseas from Europe so US Marshall distributors were fitting them with 6550s instead (why not 5881s or 6L6GCs I have no clue). The transformers were identical to the EL34 equipped ones in Europe so they had to bias them accounting for 25W max dissipation like an EL34 instead of the 35W the 6550 is capable of. In theory the only changes needed to switch between the two tubes is just the bias range resistors and maybe screen resistors but that’s it.
Ok 😊. I’m just a player and my tech takes care of all things maintenance related 👍😎. But whatever he did the amp sound & feels fantastic 👌
10:44 13:50
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