Bought a VHT 2/90/2. Should I have bought a 2/50/2 instead?

[Bob Savage]

What? Would you mind clarifying that?

Yes, I would.

 

[Greazygeo]

So just to be clear, if I mod my 2/90/2 for EL34s, I'll get the clarity and punch of the larger transistor with the midrange sweetness of the EL34?

I wouldn't do that, kinda be dumb IMO. The OT and amp was designed around the KT88's. You could put 6550's in it. I used to love 6550's but now prefer KT88's since they are smoother when hit hard. If Steve thought that was a good thing, he would have made it that way.

If you want EL34's get the 2 50 2.....

Another thing you could try is getting a 2 50 2 and run Ruby EL34BSTR's. They are more like a 6550.

With an Axe FX, I'd think you would want something pretty clean to reproduce what it's putting out vs something that colors the sound. The 2 90 2 might be a good choice for that. Do you play at band volumes?

 

[TheGreatGreen]

Aww, come on Bob.

And Greasygeo, nah I usually don't play that loudly. I would probably hardly ever push the amp to the point that it gets mushy, which would be hard to do anyway because it's a VHT.. If i did push it that hard, it would be rare. I'm just afraid that the 2/90/2 could be too stiff to ever sound warm and organic.

 

[Bob Savage]

Aww, come on Bob.

Seriously?

 

[aeroic]

So just to be clear, if I mod my 2/90/2 for EL34s, I'll get the clarity and punch of the larger transistor with the midrange sweetness of the EL34?

I wouldn't do that, kinda be dumb IMO. The OT and amp was designed around the KT88's. You could put 6550's in it. I used to love 6550's but now prefer KT88's since they are smoother when hit hard. If Steve thought that was a good thing, he would have made it that way.

If you want EL34's get the 2 50 2.....

Another thing you could try is getting a 2 50 2 and run Ruby EL34BSTR's. They are more like a 6550.

With an Axe FX, I'd think you would want something pretty clean to reproduce what it's putting out vs something that colors the sound. The 2 90 2 might be a good choice for that. Do you play at band volumes?

If you go by the thought that the amp was "made for EL34's", then all JCM800s should have EL34's in them too. Marshall designed them for EL34's, but when EL34's had a shortage back in the 80s, they used 6550s instead. And they turned out awesome in that amp!

6550s sounded great in the 2/50/2, as did EL34's. But it's all in the "ears" of the beholder. I personally didn't like KT88's because they felt hollow to me in my 2902. Was doing a recording session, and we did a KT88 / 6550 test, and the 6550 had more mid-range smoothness to my ears. The KT88s do have a really cool growl though. They were definitely a bit more aggressive, which works great for certain preamp combos with it. I "personally" feel the 6550 is a great workhorse for all types of tone....from clean, to mid-gain, to heavy stuff.

But that's just my opinion...take it or leave it...and it all depends on your personal situation.

Eric

 

[jlbaxe]

Thanks Eric hey you could sell me your 2902 and then go buy a Randall RT2/50 then you wont have to mod it because it takes el34s 6l6s kt88s and 6550s.... and sounds great then you will have some change left over for some stings and picks.

edit: buy 2 of them and you can have all 4 and switch through them with midi. like I did.

 

[TheGreatGreen]

Aww, come on Bob.

Seriously?

Sure. I haven't been a member of these forums for long and really have no idea what you're talking about.

 

[jlbaxe]

 

[aeroic]

Thanks Eric hey you could sell me your 2902 and then go buy a Randall RT2/50 then you wont have to mod it because it takes el34s 6l6s kt88s and 6550s.... and sounds great then you will have some change left over for some stings and picks.

edit: buy 2 of them and you can have all 4 and switch through them with midi. like I did.

HAHAHAHA good one man . That's why I have my Mod50!!! Easy switch between my Tung Sol EL34B's, Svet 6550s, TS 5881s, THD Yellowjackets w/ EL84s, etc. My VHT 2902 is used with my M4, which is my main rig. The VHT 2902 power section is my favorite power section of all time (next to the 2150...which is my fav..)

Plus....I got my VHT 2902 for $750 "scratch and dent" from Musicians Friend. (They had one for like $950 and I had a 20% off coupon that day) so there's no way you are prying it from me

Eric

 

[Bob Savage]

Aww, come on Bob.

Seriously?

Sure. I haven't been a member of these forums for long and really have no idea what you're talking about.

In a nutshell, I stated that it's a matter of pure personal preference, to try the amp... and the variety of opinions proved my point. I realize that's not generally what people want to hear, but you're the only one that can make the determination.

 

[jlbaxe]

Thanks Eric hey you could sell me your 2902 and then go buy a Randall RT2/50 then you wont have to mod it because it takes el34s 6l6s kt88s and 6550s.... and sounds great then you will have some change left over for some stings and picks.

edit: buy 2 of them and you can have all 4 and switch through them with midi. like I did.

HAHAHAHA good one man . That's why I have my Mod50!!! Easy switch between my Tung Sol EL34B's, Svet 6550s, TS 5881s, THD Yellowjackets w/ EL84s, etc. My VHT 2902 is used with my M4, which is my main rig. The VHT 2902 power section is my favorite power section of all time (next to the 2150...which is my fav..)

Plus....I got my VHT 2902 for $750 "scratch and dent" from Musicians Friend. (They had one for like $950 and I had a 20% off coupon that day) so there's no way you are prying it from me

Eric

what a score!!!!! im jealous

 

[Greazygeo]

If you go by the thought that the amp was "made for EL34's", then all JCM800s should have EL34's in them too. Marshall designed them for EL34's, but when EL34's had a shortage back in the 80s, they used 6550s instead. And they turned out awesome in that amp!

6550s sounded great in the 2/50/2, as did EL34's. But it's all in the "ears" of the beholder. I personally didn't like KT88's because they felt hollow to me in my 2902. Was doing a recording session, and we did a KT88 / 6550 test, and the 6550 had more mid-range smoothness to my ears. The KT88s do have a really cool growl though. They were definitely a bit more aggressive, which works great for certain preamp combos with it. I "personally" feel the 6550 is a great workhorse for all types of tone....from clean, to mid-gain, to heavy stuff.

But that's just my opinion...take it or leave it...and it all depends on your personal situation.

Eric

It was the very first JCM800's that used 6550's. It was more common to the mid 70's JMPs with the 6550's. I agree that 6550's sound good in those marshalls and I prefer 6550s/KT88s to EL34's in most MV amps. But there is more than a bias resistor change that was done in the Marshall switchover. I now prefer Kt88's over the 6550's. When pushed to the point of clipping the KT88 doesnt have as hard an edge, which I like. JJ Kt88's sound like crap though.

Its all good.

 

[Greazygeo]

Aww, come on Bob.

And Greasygeo, nah I usually don't play that loudly. I would probably hardly ever push the amp to the point that it gets mushy, which would be hard to do anyway because it's a VHT.. If i did push it that hard, it would be rare. I'm just afraid that the 2/90/2 could be too stiff to ever sound warm and organic.

I'd think you should be able to compensate in the AFX with all the tweaks available If you won't be pushing the amp much, the 2 50 2 might be a good choice.

 

[TheGreatGreen]

Aww, come on Bob.

And Greasygeo, nah I usually don't play that loudly. I would probably hardly ever push the amp to the point that it gets mushy, which would be hard to do anyway because it's a VHT.. If i did push it that hard, it would be rare. I'm just afraid that the 2/90/2 could be too stiff to ever sound warm and organic.

I'd think you should be able to compensate in the AFX with all the tweaks available If you won't be pushing the amp much, the 2 50 2 might be a good choice.

Do you say that because you think it would be a waste to get a "more powerful", higher wattage amp when I'm not going to be cranking it, or because you believe that EL34s sound better at lower volumes?

 

[hunter]

I really prefer the 2502 ...



... well I had to say that because I just ordered one


We'll see, I hope it won't let me down and be a step up or at least level with my Shiva power section. What I am missing on the Bogner is the resonance pot for low volumes and some power options, plus it's big and heavy obviously.

 

[Giga]

When I was in the proces of buying a poweramp for my GP3 I tried both and ended up with the 2/50/2 because that sounded more lively to my ears and has headroom and volume to spare. I still use that amp but put KT77's in it which even enhanced the headroom, gave more bass and smoother mids and highs.

Giga.

 

[Digital Jams]

Is this true? is the 2/90/2 going to sound stiff or lifeless compared to the 2/50/2? Will the 2/90/2 always have a harsh midrange compared to the 2/50/2?

What are you using for a preamp? How much volume are you throwing at the speakers? I dont normally recommend the 2 90 2 for anyone....they are usually overkill.

Overkill overshmill

I want a 2150

Dude...they rock!!! I did love my 2150 man. My back didn't though!

It would be massive overkill for my basement gigs but I dont care

 

[Digital Jams]

I play a VHT 2150.

I just turn the presence down on the power amp, and the mids up on the preamp.

sounds great.

Did you get it sorted out?

It is your responsibility as a holder of a legend to maintain that piece of gear

 

[guitarslinger]

I play a VHT 2150.

I just turn the presence down on the power amp, and the mids up on the preamp.

sounds great.

Did you get it sorted out?

It is your responsibility as a holder of a legend to maintain that piece of gear

Everything seems to be totally fine after that resistor replacement, and NOS GE tube swap.

I haven't blown a fuse yet, and the the bias isn't flying out of control.

 

[Greazygeo]

Aww, come on Bob.

And Greasygeo, nah I usually don't play that loudly. I would probably hardly ever push the amp to the point that it gets mushy, which would be hard to do anyway because it's a VHT.. If i did push it that hard, it would be rare. I'm just afraid that the 2/90/2 could be too stiff to ever sound warm and organic.

I'd think you should be able to compensate in the AFX with all the tweaks available If you won't be pushing the amp much, the 2 50 2 might be a good choice.

Do you say that because you think it would be a waste to get a "more powerful", higher wattage amp when I'm not going to be cranking it, or because you believe that EL34s sound better at lower volumes?

IMO tube amps need opened up to the edge of their breakup point to sound best. The 2 90 2 is a LOUD amp It's easier to get the 2 50 2 in its sweet spot.