Just a little side note for those who don't know, and I think you covered it. Pre amp tubes tend to be either working or not working. I have played my electric guitar through one of my amps one day, and the next day the amp wasn't working so well. Most of the issues didn't come with a totally blow amp, but with a fizzing sound that came out of the amp, as a note decayed. This is why a gigging musician probably should carry a spare amp or at least some spare tubes in the accessory box. Power tubes tend not to go belly up, but don't sound so fresh over time. One almost doesn't notice it until you drop in a fresh set. If you are not running the amp to push the power section the power tubes will last longer, but this is where the core of your tone can be found. Along with the transformer and speaker, It all makes a difference and does adds up to what you hear out of your amp.
Now to comment TeamoDave's 6550's verses EL 34's.
I live in the USA, and the 6550's are very common in Marshall's amps here. My JCM 800 2x12, 50 watt combo runs pair of 6550's . The 6550's tend to be a touch warmer and with less break up later in the volume game. Unless you have heard the EL34's and love them. and before you commit to a power tube swap, Yyou might want to take an attenuator and give that a try. It might be just what the tone Dr ordered.
Change Your Tubes!
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Posted
Nice article Phil.
Just a little side note for those who don't know, and I think you covered it. Pre amp tubes tend to be either working or not working. I have played my electric guitar through one of my amps one day, and the next day the amp wasn't working so well. Most of the issues didn't come with a totally blow amp, but with a fizzing sound that came out of the amp, as a note decayed. This is why a gigging musician probably should carry a spare amp or at least some spare tubes in the accessory box. Power tubes tend not to go belly up, but don't sound so fresh over time. One almost doesn't notice it until you drop in a fresh set. If you are not running the amp to push the power section the power tubes will last longer, but this is where the core of your tone can be found. Along with the transformer and speaker, It all makes a difference and does adds up to what you hear out of your amp.
Now to comment TeamoDave's 6550's verses EL 34's.
I live in the USA, and the 6550's are very common in Marshall's amps here. My JCM 800 2x12, 50 watt combo runs pair of 6550's . The 6550's tend to be a touch warmer and with less break up later in the volume game. Unless you have heard the EL34's and love them. and before you commit to a power tube swap, Yyou might want to take an attenuator and give that a try. It might be just what the tone Dr ordered.
Michael