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Tubes for Ampeg SVT | Go crazy!

jvdb

jvdb

Jul 26, 2006
272
150
#1
Hi guys,

I have two SVT's. The 78'er is recently retubed with new JJ 6550's. The other one ('73) should be retubed as well, but I think it would be nice to try something different.

So experienced tube kings... let me hear which type/brand would be cool to try. But I'd like to hear some good arguments and not just a poll kinda topic.

Thanks a lot!

Vandenberg
 
#2
I have changed out tubes in SVT's quite a bit, heres my 2 cents..

SED Winged =C= are excellent for SVT

The new Tung Sols are also excellent for SVT

Electro-Harmonix and Sovteks are also good tubes.

Ampeg uses Sovteks in the SVT coming from the factory, both while in the US with SLM, and now overseas with LOUD

I just recently retubed my SVT CL, and this time I used the Sovteks... and I am very happy, they sound great. The Sovteks have a nice little bump in the Midrange, making them really good for a bass amp. If NOS tone is what you are after, the Tung Sols ands the SED Winged =C= will get you closest to the original GE's, so they say.... but I would save the money and put Sovteks in it.
 
#7
It seems that due to the cost, many don't care what they use. Many have a certain tube they like, and stick with it. When your tubes are going, it really doesn't matter what you use, because if it's new, your amp will come alive. I have yet to change the tubes in my 73, and it has 20 year old Chinese tubes that still work great. I have, however, tried many tube types in Marshalls, and similar amps. I prefer the Winged C. Why, I don't know, probably because I've had good luck with them, the reviews are great, and I'm satisfied with the sound. I've used EH, and don't care for the sound of JJ's in my 100watt plexi, but there are other variables inviolved that contribute to tone, like the preamp tubes, speakers, and guitar. When I do my SVT, I'm going to try either the Winged C, or the Tungsol. The Tungsol because they've been getting good reviews, and because the new one's on the market are supposedly better made than previously. I have gotten tubes from the tubestore, and if you look them up, they describe the tone of each tube. I don't discount any of the other tubes, as I think any new tube is going to make an amp roar back to life if your tubes are beat. Don't knock yourself out about it too much.
 
#8
My vote is for sovtek 6550's. They maintain the classic svt growl the best, good volume and punch, long lifespan, they seem to maintain the bias better "mabe better matching but they dont seem to drift out as easily as the others" and last but not least.....they are the cheapest. The other tubes mentioned are also good but i dont think they are worth the extra money if its the ampeg growl and reliability your after. Just my opinion but i have tried a few of the others.
 
#11
Any difference between the SED 6550C and Svetlana 6550C? I have the Svetlanta's on my early 80's SVT. The amp put out full power clean on the bench and even hit 400 watts into distortion, while making the lights flicker in the garage during adjustment. I did have a problem with one tube, but it was replaced for free. I was thinking of getting the Tung Sols if I needed tubes again, but they're made in the same factory. Always heard great things about the Tung Sols too.
 
#12
username1 said:
My vote is for sovtek 6550's. They maintain the classic svt growl the best, good volume and punch, long lifespan, they seem to maintain the bias better "mabe better matching but they dont seem to drift out as easily as the others" and last but not least.....they are the cheapest. The other tubes mentioned are also good but i dont think they are worth the extra money if its the ampeg growl and reliability your after. Just my opinion but i have tried a few of the others.
Click to expand...

While the Sovteks are one of the less expsensive 6550's, they are also one of the best 6550's for Ampeg SVTs.

This is in part because Ampeg uses Sovteks, so they design their amps to sound good with them, SVTs are engineered and tested with the Sovteks.

This may be the one exception to the rule '' You get what you pay for ''
 
#14
EBMM7181 said:
While the Sovteks are one of the less expsensive 6550's, they are also one of the best 6550's for Ampeg SVTs.

This is in part because Ampeg uses Sovteks, so they design their amps to sound good with them, SVTs are engineered and tested with the Sovteks.

This may be the one exception to the rule '' You get what you pay for ''
Click to expand...

That's odd considering that the new amps come stock with Svetlana's :D. (Keeping in mind that Svetlana now is Sovtek of course.)

Here's a fairly comprehensive review, it's in PDF format so when you click the link it will try to download: Link Removed

In case you don't want to download it, they come to the conclusion using 70's, 80's, and 90's incarnations of SVTs that the SED winged C 6550 is the closest to the GE 6550A. Their runner up was the JJ KT88, but they also say that if you want more cutting mid-range while loosing a little bass definition, the Harma 6550-STR (based on the Tung Sol 6550) and the Sovtek 6550WE are good choices.
 
#16
Winged C 6550 I would think was best balance of characteristics. I am intrigued though about KT88s in an SVT as it would change things tonally in a way that might be nice. Winged C (SED) KT88s actually cost less! Claim of KT88 versus 6550 is a bit more bottom. You could buy a set of JJ/Tesla KT88's in blue glass just to be different.
 

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