5150 tube suggestions wanted

[chumbucket]

I picked up a 5150 a little while back and already did the adjustable bias mod and the 10pf mod. Any suggestions on good poweramp /preamp tubes? I've never really had any amps with 6L6's. If I could do anything else to take the fizziness out, that would be cool too although it seems to be the nature of the beast. Lower gain or darker sounding tubes might do the trick.

Thanks!

 

[SLOgriff]

I picked up a 5150 a little while back and already did the adjustable bias mod and the 10pf mod. Any suggestions on good poweramp / preamp tubes. I've never really had any amps with 6L6's. If I could do anything else to take the fizziness out, that would be cool too although it seems to be the nature of the beast. Lower gain or darker sounding tubes might do the trick.

Thanks!

What is the 10pf mod?

 

[chumbucket]

Did you try adding the resistor and cut one leg of the cap?

I like Winged C 6L6's and chinese preamp tubes. People also like RFT's as well.

No not yet, although I guess I should. I'm afraid that I won't like it when I'm done. What ever happened to your video of your 5150 Dave?
My impression of the amp is that it sounds pretty good when cranked up loud (louder than I can normally play at home) but still produces too much low end. When I turn down to more reasonable levels, it sounds fizzy (and still a little too bassy).
I went through my box of preamp tubes swapping out V1 and a JJ (which I usually hate) sounded like it took a little fizz off the top, and a little gain too. I also read a post that recommended putting a 12AT7 in V4 to take some fizz off too. I may try that.
I'm sure the Winged C 6L6's are a fine specimen but man, they're over $150 a quad.

 

[chumbucket]

I picked up a 5150 a little while back and already did the adjustable bias mod and the 10pf mod. Any suggestions on good poweramp / preamp tubes. I've never really had any amps with 6L6's. If I could do anything else to take the fizziness out, that would be cool too although it seems to be the nature of the beast. Lower gain or darker sounding tubes might do the trick.

Thanks!

What is the 10pf mod?

Check out Dave's thread of the Cameron 5150 mods at this thread here -
http://www.rig-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=80183

 

[JakeAC5253]

The R9 mod will make the amp not seem so bassy and eases some of the oversaturation sound, but other components are responsible for the amp sounding fizzy. The tubes will not change this without changing the sound and feel of the amp i.e. putting the wrong tubes in. I'm with Dave about using Ruby preamp and Winged C 6L6 power amp. It works for me.

 

[fluff191]

The Ruby 12ax7 HG+ sound very very good and cut the noise, while the EH 12ax7 sound really good as well.

I am a huge fan of the Ruby 6L6GCMSTR for power tubes. If you can afford them, Winged C 6L6 are amazing.

 

[D-Rock]

I think the amount of fizz also really depends on how you run the amp. I personally only boost this amp for all my high gain playing. (Lead channel with the gain on 1.5.) I like the Lead channel because it's more saturated and less boomy than the rhythm channel. I can get ideal useable high gain tones at low, medium and high volume levels. Along with keeping the on board gain set low to eliminate fizz, I also run a high presence setting and a lower treble setting which is also a big factor.

 

[chumbucket]

Where did yu put the 10pf cap?

I actually went to 10pf silver mica cap (on V5B) to pins 6 and 7 (vs 7 and 8). I wanted to get rid of more fizz. Both ways are awesome though

I did pins 6 & 7 but never tried 7 & 8.

 

[JakeAC5253]

I also run a high presence setting and a lower treble setting which is also a big factor.

This is the correct way to dial a 5150

 

[D-Rock]

I also run a high presence setting and a lower treble setting which is also a big factor.

This is the correct way to dial a 5150

I'll have to record a vid of it through my 480 watt Krank cab. Thing sounds monstrous.

 

[chumbucket]

I also run a high presence setting and a lower treble setting which is also a big factor.

This is the correct way to dial a 5150

I tried that but it still seems fizzy.
I run in the low gain input. I turn the presence all the way off. The bass and mids are around 3 and the treble is around 2, resonance about 4.

 

[mrbobo]

The TAD 6L6 WGC-STR is magic in my 5150. These are the short bottle 6L6's. The winged -C- has a great chuga chuga sound, but the TAD (or whatever label of this short bottle 6L6 you want to run) has the juiciest mids.

 

[glpg80]

TAD 12AX7's in V3+, ECC83 in V1 and V2, 12AU7 in the PI.

Sovtek 6L6GC bottles for the power end or Winged C's, compared 5881's and 6L6's have a more pleasant top end, more glassy, less dull, still tons of low end capable.

 

[Laura]

I am a big fan of SED's but they are too darn expensive for most folks these days. I like the Ruby's 6L6GC's and the Sovtek WXT+'s quite a bit too. I have the Ruby's in my 5150 and the Sovtek's in my 5150 III. Both sound really good to my ears. I typically put all Ruby's in 5150's when local guys bring their amps to me for a re-tube and they are always happy. A Mullard in the PI helps to smooth them out a bit which is what I like as well as a JJ in V1.

 

[chumbucket]

Decisions, decisions...
I've also been hearing that people like putting Tung Sol 5881's in their 5150's and Mesa Rectifiers. Although I believe that most 5881's are spec'd to run at 400v plate voltage.

 

[cdm]

I always liked the goldpin JJ's preamps and sed winged c poweramp tubes!

 

[apophis]

Winged C tubes are worth it in my opinion....for this head at least..

 

[bsp01]

I picked up a 5150 a little while back and already did the adjustable bias mod and the 10pf mod. Any suggestions on good poweramp /preamp tubes? I've never really had any amps with 6L6's. If I could do anything else to take the fizziness out, that would be cool too although it seems to be the nature of the beast. Lower gain or darker sounding tubes might do the trick.

Thanks!

IMO it's the nature of the amp. As you crank it up that fizz sound turns into awesome. It is meant to be played LOUD. Tubes will never change it...Maybe some mods can remove it, or help, but I don't know too much about them.

 

[glpg80]

I picked up a 5150 a little while back and already did the adjustable bias mod and the 10pf mod. Any suggestions on good poweramp /preamp tubes? I've never really had any amps with 6L6's. If I could do anything else to take the fizziness out, that would be cool too although it seems to be the nature of the beast. Lower gain or darker sounding tubes might do the trick.

Thanks!

IMO it's the nature of the amp. As you crank it up that fizz sound turns into awesome. It is meant to be played LOUD. Tubes will never change it...Maybe some mods can remove it, or help, but I don't know too much about them.

+1

anyone complaining about fizz is not playing the amplifier where it is meant to be played. Sad but true

 

[glpg80]

I am a big fan of SED's but they are too darn expensive for most folks these days. I like the Ruby's 6L6GC's and the Sovtek WXT+'s quite a bit too. I have the Ruby's in my 5150 and the Sovtek's in my 5150 III. Both sound really good to my ears. I typically put all Ruby's in 5150's when local guys bring their amps to me for a re-tube and they are always happy. A Mullard in the PI helps to smooth them out a bit which is what I like as well as a JJ in V1.

we have alot of similarities in taste - i see a few patterns between our recommendations