Best Tube Combo For SVT

Bass FreeLee · #1 03-15-2011, 10:28 PM

Hey fellow Bass'rs - I got a Used Svt-CL and was wandering what you replaced your tubes with and what kind of results you got -
So far I got the pre's picked out- gold pin Electro's for the Ax7's and gold pin JJ's for the Au7s ,
so I was mostly interested in what results you got with the Power tubes
I was Thinkin maybe Electros or Tungsols , But i've never had to replace tubes before

JimmyM · #2 03-15-2011, 11:48 PM

you know, i hear so little difference out of tubes that i'd be tempted to throw pretty much anything in there

ampeg is using all jj's in their heritage svt-cl's. they were using jj's for the pre and driver sections and winged c's for the power section but switched to all jj's this year.

Bass FreeLee · #3 03-16-2011, 12:36 AM

Thanks Jimmy,
ya i've seen the video on youtube they put up with the Winged C's and thats what i was going to do because it sounded darn good-
especially with the EQ flat and just the two Preset ( white ) buttons pushed it-- man the claen tone he got one there when he was slapping with the gain down and the master up was beautiful! --
but winged C's are expensive!
I'll check out the prices on the JJ's

zachoff · #4 03-16-2011, 12:50 AM

Svetlana 6550s in the power and still magnavox in the pre.

**edit... Never had anything but praise for my tone if you're wondering. I really doubt you will either, no matter what you put in there. Chances are you won't even need to replace your pre tubes.

Bass FreeLee · #5 03-16-2011, 12:57 AM

I'm liking that price for a sixpack! Thankyou Sir!
And ya i was just gunna do the pre's so that i know its all new all the way through, I'm positive the SVT is the end all for me!

JimmyM · #6 03-16-2011, 01:00 AM

just remember my golden rule for tube changing...if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Bass FreeLee · #7 03-16-2011, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

just remember my golden rule for tube changing...if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Good Point!

Jim C · #8 03-16-2011, 05:35 AM

Might try a used Telefunken or Amperex in the V1 slot of the preamp.
This tube has consistently impressed me in both tube pre amps as well as standard tube MI amps. About $40 on the used market.
Another choice would be a used Mullard.
Have not had the same results with any of the new reissue tubes.
Keep in mind the difference is not huge between older European tubes and the new stuff but it is audible and very audible in an A/B comparison

username1 · #9 03-16-2011, 07:00 AM

For the power tubes i would recomend sovtek 6550's. They have given me the best service so far and hold there bias well. They also sound good in an svt cl. They are also the best priced of the works.

TheDialog · #10 03-16-2011, 07:03 AM

Try the new JJ 6550's!

JGR · #11 03-16-2011, 09:12 PM

I've always had great luck with JJ's for preamp, and Winged C for power tubes (6550, El34, and 6L6)

Bass FreeLee · #12 03-20-2011, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim C

Might try a used Telefunken or Amperex in the V1 slot of the preamp.
This tube has consistently impressed me in both tube pre amps as well as standard tube MI amps. About $40 on the used market.
Another choice would be a used Mullard.
Have not had the same results with any of the new reissue tubes.
Keep in mind the difference is not huge between older European tubes and the new stuff but it is audible and very audible in an A/B comparison

Does this 40$ tube make "that" much difference?

And thanks for the suggestions guys...
Has anyone A/B'd 6550's and KT88s in there SVTs?
Just curious to hear about what the sonic difference's were

I prefer the overdriven SVT sound, just wondering if KT88's are any better at doing so

blastjv · #13 03-21-2011, 09:32 AM

Talk to Eddie at Eurotubes, he was TREMENDOUSLY helpful when I was shopping around. I got a great price on a full set of JJ's for the pre and drivers, and he talked me out of spending any extra on the gold pins (which goes a long way proving credibility to me).

I have a set of the "Factory Second" Winged C's from tubedepot in my VR, and another set as a spare because the price was so good and the original set hasn't given me any trouble at all and sounds great!!! ($35 a pair, and they'll pick out a set that is matched if you ask). They weren't as helpful or freindly as eurotubes, but the price was crazy low!!!

-JV

Bass FreeLee · #14 03-21-2011, 08:47 PM

well i found tubesandmore.com to be the cheapest-
and ya the KT88's are out cuz i found read up and found that the 6550's are better at doing the snarly overdrive quicker and KT88's are better for clean headroom,
and i love the SVT snarly drive-- so i'm stickin with 6550's ..