Best tubes when RE-tubing an Ampeg SVT?

gastr

Hi guys,

I am just about to retube the power amp section of my SVT and was wondering whether anybody had an opinion of what are the best tubes t use? I am leaning towards the Svetlana 6550-C variety???Anybody have any thoughts before I order them.
Thanks.

TimC · Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2003 7:51 pm Post subject:

gastr, I'm needing a couple of new 6550's myself. Mesa and Kendrick don't offer them anymore. Groove Tube 6550R's ( for high power amps ) are $120 US a pair. If you find some good heavy duty ones at a good price, let me know. I don't have any experience with Svetlanas but the "C" designation I think means a "softer" tube that breaks up easier. Not the best for bass, maybe. Does Ruby offer 6550's?
Looks like the choice is Ruby or Svetlanas for the best deal. I hope someone jumps in here with some experience with 6550's in these brands.
Ruby is calling theirs 6550A's which is what we need. I was wrong about the "C" and Svetlanas. Too many dang numbers and letters in the world.

Caper · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2003 5:44 am Post subject:

No affiliation here but I've dealt with the tubestore and their service and delivery is amazing.
http://www.thetubestore.com/

gastr · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2003 4:24 pm Post subject:

Hi Caper,

I was going to go with the tubestore because they were really quick with their replies regarding postage etc but I ended up buying from Triode Electronics just because they were really affable chaps when I enquired with tube queries, not to mention cheaper (not really an important issue provided your getting the best/right stuff but slightly significant nonetheless). At this point I would reccomend them and I live thousands of kilometres (miles) away so I guarantee I have no affiliation. Thanks for your input anyway, its always welcome.

TimC · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2003 5:13 pm Post subject:

gastr, what brand 6550's did you decide to buy?

gastr · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2003 7:16 pm Post subject:

Hey Tim,

How goes it? Very Happy

Well after consultation with quite a few "experts" I decided to go with what was already in my amp, which turned out to be the Svetlanas. I really like my tone now so I figure if it ain't broke....I was strongly advised by pretty much everyone I spoke to, to not get sucked in by the 're-packaging' of the groove tubes, that's to say, most folks agreed that groove tubes are just repackaged russian or chinese tubes for sale to crew who felt they needed an American branded tube. Triodes Electronics advice and price was great but I'll let you know what the tubes are like once I've installed them, although re-tubing just about always changes your tone, even if only slightly. Cheers.

TimC · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2003 8:08 pm Post subject:

gastr, good to hear you found some good tubes at a fair price. I had some good luck today. A while back, my nephew traded a Carvin speaker for the good Celestion in my Marshall. He needed an 8 ohmer and since I can switch impedances on my Marshall, I traded him. I was never happy with the Carvin- just didn't seem to match up to the amp very well. Anyway today I dug out a Legend that I hadn't played in years. I noticed it had a Peavey Scorpion in it. I made the swap, and now the old Marshall sounds much better. I think if I go back to a good set of 6550's, like it had originally, it will sound better yet. I like the EL-34's, but at the low volumes I play at, I think the 6550's will be a little warmer.

Ronnie · Guest

Guys for really good NOS tubes check out scottczechsro@aol.com they have lots of NOS tubes i baught a quad of ex military Tesla 1960s EL34 best ive ever heard.

LenBum · Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2003 3:23 pm Post subject: 6550 Tubes

$120 for a pair of Groove Tubes! Please if you guys are looking for 6550's I'll e-mail you a catalog from Lord Valve in Denver, Co. He has matched pairs of a variety of brands from $42 up to $96 for NOS GE's.

gastr · Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2003 9:22 pm Post subject:

Hello all,

I got my 6550's last week and had them installed by my tech last Friday. He said they were a truck load better than what was left of my last tubes but he reckoned they still weren't matched perfectly - in fact, he thought that three were matched well, one of the others was close but that two were a fair way off. Granted, he is a perfectionist but hell I wouldn't have anybody else work on my stuff, would you? I don't know how well thetubestore match their tubes but I guess next time I might try them to find out. I haven't had the chance to crank it at volume yet, that will have to wait until the weekend, but softly the amp is humming along nicely. Hmmm I might have been interested in those GE's LenBum but what the hey I'm back in business now so I guess it's of no consequence. Thanks for everyones input, it is much appreciated.