Sovtek 5881 WXT really that bad???

[Bunyo]

My amp tech has only sovtek 5881 WXT to put into the Mesa Boogie 400+.
Do you think that they are so bad, as you can read on internet???
I know Mesa was putting them onto these amps, and named them STR425. What do you think about them, really that junk???

[NecroticImbecil]

I had Sovtek 5881 in a 400+ for 10 years. Sounded good. No problems.

[RedLeg]

internet reviews are misleading. as the saying goes, "no one reports the landings, just the crashes"

[BassmanPaul]

I would insist on 6L6GCs if the amp was mine. If the Sovteks are accurate to the specs of the 5881 they are equivalent to the 6L6WGB which is an earlier tube with less plate dissipation, therefore output, than the GC version.

[Bunyo]

Output is not an issue. Its rather loud amp, I just dont want to have crappy sound. I mean I need low end bass with clear treble, and nice punch in the middle.

[RCCollins]

with an amp like that, i'd put some time and the extra cash into the tubes that were ideal for me.

[tilehilder]

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

I would insist on 6L6GCs if the amp was mine. If the Sovteks are accurate to the specs of the 5881 they are equivalent to the 6L6WGB which is an earlier tube with less plate dissipation, therefore output, than the GC version.

+1

[Handyman]

The 5881WXT, if nothing else, is a very very sturdy tube. They're extremely common stock factory tubes for this reason. I believe Groove Tubes also rebrands the 5881WXT as some sort of 6L6.

Sounds quality is always subjective, but this tube is very well built.

[scotch]

I put Sovtek 5881 wxt's in one of my Mesa Buster heads. They were recommended for the type of hard touring I was doing. They sound great & have performed outstandingly!

I have a 2nd Buster head with 6l6gc's in it. There is no appreciable volume difference between it and my 5881 equipped head.

[throbbinnut]

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

I would insist on 6L6GCs if the amp was mine. If the Sovteks are accurate to the specs of the 5881 they are equivalent to the 6L6WGB which is an earlier tube with less plate dissipation, therefore output, than the GC version.

The Sovteks are not like original Tung Sol 5881/6L6WGB, so don't sweat the original US 5881 400V plate rating. They are basically a Russian military beam power tube that is very similar to the US 6L6GC. They seem to last forever, and they sound good to me whenever I use them. I think the only drawback is that they may put out slightly less power than a true US 6L6GC - like 45Watts per pair instead of 50Watts per pair when subbed into a Fender Bassman output stage. Not a big deal at all when you factor in the lower price and long life.

Chris

[Bunyo]

Ok thx guys for sharing opinions. I decided i will try them sovteks, and will do some comparison because I had previously used JJ's when I bought the amp. I changed them for new russian Tungsols, and after less then year they failed. Dont know exactly what was the reason. I will see what sovteks can do. I need strong tubes that will last at least for 2 - 3 years.

[MAMMOTHvolume]

Originally Posted by Bunyo

Output is not an issue. Its rather loud amp, I just dont want to have crappy sound. I mean I need low end bass with clear treble, and nice punch in the middle.

if you need lows i'd get a different amp

[Calaverasgrande]

Originally Posted by MAMMOTHvolume

if you need lows i'd get a different amp

I really would like to know what that means. Never had a problem getting lows out of a Mesa 400 or 400+. Though the mid can be overwhelming, and the EQ is a bit to get used to, with 2-10-2 being flat for bass-mid-treble.
I usually reccomend =C= SED tubes, but the prices on those are absurd lately considering the last two batches I bought had at least one goofy tube!
OTOH I am more than a littel wary of New Sensor tubes. I have had more than one EHX power tube come up way too noisy after light use. Thats what got me onto SED in the first place!

[Bunyo]

I didnt had problems with low end on my 400+ and two Mesa 1x15 Road Ready. I set my like this: treble 8, bass 9, middle 8. Every rotaries pulled out, and two inputs at once by y cable. I like to mess around.

[scotch]

Originally Posted by Bunyo

Ok thx guys for sharing opinions. I decided i will try them sovteks, and will do some comparison because I had previously used JJ's when I bought the amp. I changed them for new russian Tungsols, and after less then year they failed. Dont know exactly what was the reason. I will see what sovteks can do. I need strong tubes that will last at least for 2 - 3 years.

Make sure you ask for 'Mesa Spec' tubes. Mesa's fixed bias is a little on the cold side, generally. Any good tube outlet should know what to get you!

[Bunyo]

My tech knows it. He is making amps in Poland. It is named Laboga, and he is skilled technician. They are making tube amps more than 20 years, and they have very good reputation.

[jimbilly]

I've had those 'coin base' 5881s in a number of amps, - very nice tube IMO. Yes, the 5881 is a bit of a misnomer, they're not at all like a true '50s brown-base (tung sol etc, small bottle) 5881.

[scotch]

Originally Posted by MAMMOTHvolume

if you need lows i'd get a different amp

?!? What? Weird response. I've literally rattled a studio's glass with a 400+!

[Calaverasgrande]

come to think of it I have rattled many things off of walls with my 400. Even with a single 15"

[JimmyM]

i'd be disappointed if all i could get out of a set was 2-3 years, especially in a 12-tube power amp like the 400+. tubes should last at least 10-15 years of regular use, unless of course you always play with the amp full on. and no, i'm not kidding. of course, with these new tubes, you get a lot more that don't last than do, but that said, some of the longest lasting new tubes i've ever had are sovteks. i really don't get the bad rap on them.