5881 vs 6L6 ?

[mule#1]

Can anyone tell me the differences between a 5881 and a 6L6? I currently have 5881's in my 50+, a tube that came with the amp used. If I change to a 6L6 what will I gain?

 

[fishyfishfish]

As far as the Boogie Brand tubes go, changing to the standard 6L6, you will get a lot more top end, not necessarily gain. I got some of their 5881's for my Rec to tame the high end when i was using "In Ears". I really didn't care for them otherwise. If you want more gain, try experimenting with the pre-amp tubes. Good Day!

 

[stokes]

The 5881's in that amp are not true 5881's.A real 5881 wont take the 450 plate volts that amp has.I suspect they are Russian or Sovtek 5881's,which to me are just dull sounding 6L6GC's.Tone is a totally subjective matter,if you "gain" anything using one tube over the next is up to you,you'll really have to try it and see.Ten different people can tell you what they hear with any particular tube,and will likely have ten different opinions.

 

[Mr_You]

Just from my recent experience with the 5881s in my Soldanos, the 5881s have a more even EQ and the attack seems hard where 6L6s EQ might be slightly scooped and less hard attack (when comparing the two types to one another).

 

[stokes]

Just from my recent experience with the 5881s in my Soldanos, the 5881s have a more even EQ and the attack seems hard where 6L6s EQ might be slightly scooped and less hard attack (when comparing the two types to one another).

This is a perfect example of how this is a very subjective topic.Most people,vendors included describe the 5881 as being "softer" than a 6L6.Dont get me wrong,Mr You,I aint saying your description is wrong,it is just how it sounds to you,and in the end that is all that counts,how it sounds to the individual,there is no absolute when it comes to tone.We also have another parameter to consider,you are talking about a Soldano,how would they compare if you had a Fender?A Peavy?There are also many different 6L6's and they will all sound different from each other,and perform differently in different amps.And to confuse things even further,I use NOS tubes only in all my amps.I have two Boogies,in one I have 7027A's,the other 7581A's.In my other half dozen or so 6L6 type amps I have everything from true 5881's to GEC KT66's,Amperex 6L6GC's.So mule#1 now that you are no closer to an answer I would suggest you go try some 6l6's and enjoy the ride,it is an endless quest.

 

[mule#1]

Wow....I do understand that tone is very subjective and that prooves it. I guess what I'm seeing is that the sovtek 5881's I am running are closer to a 6L6 than say a EL34 which is what I thought it was close to. Am I correct in saying that? I've owned 5 boodie models other than the ones I presently own and have always run the 6L6's. I guess I'll buy some new tubes and see or better yet pull (2) from my mark IV.

 

[stokes]

The current production 5881's coming out of Russia today are very close to the 6L6GC's.I think they were originally a Soviet equivalent of the 6L6GC just relabeled 5881 by Sovtek.But they are nothing like the original 5881,which has a lower max output and can only take about 350 plate volts compared to 450 for the 6L6GC.The original is closer to the 6L6G which is an earlier, lower power version of the 6L6GC.The EL34 is similar but very different in some ways than the 6L6,that said,lets just leave the EL34 out of it.

 

[mule#1]

Thanks for clarifying that!

 

[user 7737]

ok... now i'm using 6L6 ruby... i can't replace them with NOS 5881 tung sol ?... i think there's some difference about the voltage...

http://cgi.befr.ebay.be/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=180215099668&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=008

i'm ok with trying different stuff but i'm really afraid to hurt my amp... :?

 

[stokes]

What amp?If it is a modern amp with over 360volts on the plates I wouldnt recomend it.

 

[user 7737]

caliber 50 + ! you can see it on my signature :wink:

 

[stokes]

I wouldnt recomend using those in your amp.

 

[user 7737]

ok ! thanx ! what are your recommandations ?

 

[stokes]

ok ! thanx ! what are your recommandations ?

Not to put those tubes in that amp.I hesitate to recommend any particular tube for a number of reasons.First I dont know what you are looking for,second as I've said before tone is totally subjective,just because I say it will sound a certain way dont mean squat to your ears,and most importantly I think all the current production tubes sound like crap as compared to almost any NOS tube,I only use NOS in my own amps.I have installed many different current production tubes in other peoples amps at their insistance and have never liked them,especially in a Mesa amp without a bias control.They can be made to sound "better" with a simple bias adjust,but still not as good.The only advice I can offer you is to stick with tubes that are labeled 6L6GC,and only use the tubes "graded" for that amp,unless you can bias an amp,you really have little other options.

 

[212Mavguy]

The curse that modern mass production amp makers place on modern players is designing amps with too high voltage going to the power tubes, Stokes is right.

In a way that is a blessing to certain players because... if the modern production amp makers built amps with lower plate voltages that worked with the vintage old stock power tubes, those tubes would cost many times as much as they already do...and be in much shorter supply. As far as "real" 5881's go, the Tung Sol and Sylvania 5881's are quite rare, and the more common versions known as 6l6wgb, a slightly later version of true early 5881's have amazing tones. Too bad most modern amps would kill them pretty quickly. With that said, it's still possible to experiment with vintage PREAMP tubes in modern production amps, that does help. Some boutique amp builders will do custom amps that work with the older tubes at the request of their customers. The tone produced by such amps is worth every penny to some... beauty is in the ears of the beholder. I do love the sound of my Mesa amp! Peace.

 

[user 7737]

The only advice I can offer you is to stick with tubes that are labeled 6L6GC,and only use the tubes "graded" for that amp,unless you can bias an amp,you really have little other options.

does it mean i have to avoid NOS tubes ? i don't really understand you... when i read this i understand that i better be "stick" to the mesa tubes 'caus they are the ones "gradeed" for that amp !

in fact NOS tube are ok in preamp, but can't be put in a modern amp... even if choose new tubes, i have to make a bias control anyway !!? isn't ?

after a few research it seems i can replace the 6L6GC by the KT-66 and 7581...

i'll checked that anyway with the tech guy when i'll have to change my power tubes... i just wanted to have your opinion

 

[stokes]

"does it mean i have to avoid NOS tubes ? i don't really understand you... when i read this i understand that i better be "stick" to the mesa tubes 'caus they are the ones "gradeed" for that amp !"

When talking about "graded" tubes,I am only refering to power tubes.You can use any preamp tube you want,NOS or otherwise.Preamp tubes dont need to be biased.
"after a few research it seems i can replace the 6L6GC by the KT-66 and 7581..."
Yes,but you will need to rebias the amp,unless you can find KT66's or 7581A's that will "fit" your amp.

 

[user 7737]

well you know, i have my amp for a few month now and, of course, it's a second hand... so i will choose my power tubes and biasing my amp anyway...

i just wanted to know the different sound spec of the different tubes (NOS especially)