EL34 vs. 6550

[SRD]

This may be a dumb question, but are the 6550 fatter tone wise than an EL34?

I love my YJM and JCM800 4212 but is it worth converting them to 6550 for a little more thickness?

the reason i ask is because I played an '84 2204 at GC and granted it was also being played through a stock 1960 (I use VM 412 cabs) but it sounded thicker.

 

[SonVolt]

6550/6L6's will sounds thicker, more headroom etc. They stay clean longer so you won't get that classic power-tube breakup of EL34s. Think Fender or Boogies.

 

[SRD]

Ah, OK.

Thanks!

 

[SonVolt]

but... if you're wanting a high-gain sound out of your 800 then 6550's will better suit it IMO. You can hit the front-end with more juice.

 

[EL 34]

i had a 6550/6L6 powered 5150 (1st generation) and i have a 6550/6L6 powered fender and what sonvolt said about them is right, they have more headroom and more of a bassy sound. i don't like the sound of them. the EL34s are more in your face, more focused, more sizzle, more mids.

the metal guys like the 6L6 and KT88s for their larger sound.

 

[SRD]

OK Thanks

 

[EL 34]

the 1960 cab you tried is also bigger and makes for more bass too. like the TV cab, it's greenback loaded but a few inches taller and it supposedly has more oomph than the regular 4x12 with greenbacks.