Post by T-R☼CK ♫ on Oct 12, 2006 21:15:19 GMT -7
Myles: Per your request..
I own a Marshall MKII (6550's....circa. '74 - '76)..It has never had the top "popped" and (to my ears at least) still sounds killer.
However, given its age and number of hours it has been played (mucho-many, aka, a whole freakin' bunch), it could probably benefit from a power tube upgrade. I was all set to ask you to hook me me up with a set of NOS 6550's, when I read an article in this month's issue of GP by one of your buds at GT (Austin Pittman), wherein he states:
"The EL34 (aka 6CA7) emphasizes the mids, and is a huge part of the brawny "Brit Rock" sound of Marshall and Hiwatt amps. The KT77 is a direct replacement for the EL34, but can also be used in place of a 6L6 to get the "British" sound with nothing more than a bias adjustment on your amp.
For a while in the 1980's, Marshall replaced its standard EL34's with 6550's for American export models. Soon after the switch, many hard-rock musicians--pleased with the stability, road-readiness, and bare-knuckles sound of 6550's--began replacing their old EL34-based Marshalls to take 6550's."
He goes on to say: "The KT88 is a direct replacement for 6550, but it can handle higher plate voltages, and possibly yield a bit more power".
SHEESH....Am I confused?...Hell yes......
I thought I wanted some new 6550's, since I have really liked the sound of my amp for the last 30+ years....But now I'm being told that a Marshall needs EL34's to "sound" like a Marshall, but I COULD use a KT77 for a bit more top-end chime (ala 6L6), or stick with a 6550 if I want it to be more road-ready and bare-knuckled sounding, or........I could go with a KT88 for more power.
HELP.........
Thx
TROCK
I own a Marshall MKII (6550's....circa. '74 - '76)..It has never had the top "popped" and (to my ears at least) still sounds killer.
However, given its age and number of hours it has been played (mucho-many, aka, a whole freakin' bunch), it could probably benefit from a power tube upgrade. I was all set to ask you to hook me me up with a set of NOS 6550's, when I read an article in this month's issue of GP by one of your buds at GT (Austin Pittman), wherein he states:
"The EL34 (aka 6CA7) emphasizes the mids, and is a huge part of the brawny "Brit Rock" sound of Marshall and Hiwatt amps. The KT77 is a direct replacement for the EL34, but can also be used in place of a 6L6 to get the "British" sound with nothing more than a bias adjustment on your amp.
For a while in the 1980's, Marshall replaced its standard EL34's with 6550's for American export models. Soon after the switch, many hard-rock musicians--pleased with the stability, road-readiness, and bare-knuckles sound of 6550's--began replacing their old EL34-based Marshalls to take 6550's."
He goes on to say: "The KT88 is a direct replacement for 6550, but it can handle higher plate voltages, and possibly yield a bit more power".
SHEESH....Am I confused?...Hell yes......
I thought I wanted some new 6550's, since I have really liked the sound of my amp for the last 30+ years....But now I'm being told that a Marshall needs EL34's to "sound" like a Marshall, but I COULD use a KT77 for a bit more top-end chime (ala 6L6), or stick with a 6550 if I want it to be more road-ready and bare-knuckled sounding, or........I could go with a KT88 for more power.
HELP.........
Thx
TROCK