F50 Retube

[MCline]

I'm looking at throwing some new tubes in my F50 (over a year and a half of constant use), and am looking for some suggestions. I like the overall voicing of the amp, but would like a litle less harshness on the top end, with more harmonic content in the mids and highs.

Eurotubes is offering retube kits using the JJ 6L6GC power tubes and various combinations of ECC803S and ECC83S preamp tubes. I'm leaning towards the ECC803S V1 option (one ECC803S inthe V1 position, standard ECC83S's in the other positions), or the high gain option (two hand picked high gain ECC83S's in V1 and V2, standard ECC83S's in the other positions)......thoughts on which combination will give me what I'm looking for?

Or, other recommendations?


https://ssl.eurotubes.com/cart/index.php?page=view_products&category_id=6&sub_category_id=34

 

[LithiumZero]

I think that the JJ's will get you what you're after. I used a set of JJ6L6's in my F-50 head for a while. I prefer the SED's but the JJ's did make the top a lot smoother and made the mids seem more full. But in the end I thought that the amp sounded a bit congested with the JJ's no matter what preamp tube combo I tried so I went with SED's. I am currently running a JJECC803S in V1, a JJECC83S High Gain in V2, a C9 in V3, and an EH in V4 along with the SED's. I am pretty happy with this combo. Some people will tell you not to use the long plate JJECC803S in high gain amps due to microphonics issues but it works flawlessly in V1. I would not recommend it in V2 though.

I also find the top a little harsh but I think that it is my Marshall 1960A cab. The 75's are pretty harsh sounding speakers. I want to change 2 of them out for vintage 30's in a X pattern and see how that works out.

Good luck!

 

[Adam]

No comment on preamp tubes, but the 6L6GE's are great tubes from any re-brander (JJ's, Groove Tubes, etc.) and would sound killer in your F-50.

 

[MCline]

I called 'em today, and after a nice informative discussion I went with the "V1" option. For the $$ it's a fairly inexpensive way to tweak the amp a bit. I can always try some other tubes down the road if this doesn't do what I want.

Should be here by the the end of the week!

 

[ned]

You will also find that Bob at Eurotubes is great to work with and he will deliver what you need. I've bought a couple of sets of tubes from Eurotubes and Bob always takes the time to make sure I'm getting tubes that will fit my needs tone wise.

Ned