Fillmore 25 and 50 Volume difference

[mikeller]

I purchased a new Fillmore 25 in 2019, and picked up a used 50 in 2024. I own both now

For some reason, the 25 is significantly louder and punchier than my 50 is. I swapped out the all the preamp tubes with new unused tubes which made no difference and have tried 4 or 5 sets of 6L6, all used, most probably replaced prematurely. I have the quietest set in the amp.

Could this still be the 6L6's or should I be looking for something else

Thank you in advance

 

[DrKev]

Hi Mike!

Different cabinet size and different output tubes/circuit will emphasize different frequencies, so that could account for punchier. But louder? No, the difference between in output from 25 and 50 watts is not going to be huge, maybe 3 to 4 dB going into teh same speaker, but the 50 watt shouldn't be quieter. If you've swapped out a bunch of 6L6's there is something else going on there. Take it to a tech to have the output measured and diagnosed.

 

[mikeller]

Hi Mike!

Different cabinet size and different output tubes/circuit will emphasize different frequencies, so that could account for punchier. But louder? No, the difference between in output from 25 and 50 watts is not going to be huge, maybe 3 to 4 dB going into teh same speaker, but the 50 watt shouldn't be quieter. If you've swapped out a bunch of 6L6's there is something else going on there. Take it to a tech to have the output measured and diagnosed.

Hi DrKev !!! Good to hear from you here!! I am gonna run thru the 6L6's again, then move on and have it looked at. When I purchased the amp, the pair that was in the amp was very noisy, so I was swapping in used pairs of Mesa 6L6's from replacements in my Electra-Dyne and an Express I owned in the past, and paying more attention to the noise than the overall output.

Thanks again for the reply, and the video !!!

Best to you
Mike

 

[mikeller]

Hi Mike!

Different cabinet size and different output tubes/circuit will emphasize different frequencies, so that could account for punchier. But louder? No, the difference between in output from 25 and 50 watts is not going to be huge, maybe 3 to 4 dB going into teh same speaker, but the 50 watt shouldn't be quieter. If you've swapped out a bunch of 6L6's there is something else going on there. Take it to a tech to have the output measured and diagnosed.

I think I should also comment - I wasn't necessarily expecting (or want) more volume - the 25 is plenty loud. My band does rock covers and mic everything to FOH and our IEM systems and the 25 is abundantly loud enough to easily keep up and exceed a drummer with a full kit. What I thought however is due to the characteristics of the 6L6 tubes and the larger cabinet, the 50 might sound fuller (as it does on the video you attached). In my case it sounds thinner and lacking somewhere.

I will post back when its resolved thank you again for your time