EVH 5150iii 6L6 vs EL34? How different are they?

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ledvedder

ledvedder

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How different are the 50w 6L6 and EL34 versions? I don't play super heavy gain stuff. Mostly classic to hard rock. I'm considering trading my 6L6 for an EL34, if it will give me more of that classic Marshall EL34 mojo.
 
The blue channel on the 6L6 is much preferred by lots of people even so much that they mod the EL34 blue channel to sound like the 6L6 blue channel.
 
Above, as I understand is true. I think the green channel is a bit different between the two.

I've also read the the obvious difference is the el34 power section...gives it a less modern tone (my words), more 80's modded Marshall (also my interpretation).

I just picked up a used 112 combo. Not many clips around where guys are playing clasic rock...more clips of the modern heavier stuff. I did find a clip where the gain was dimed on the green and it was pretty nice. I'm geeked about getting...got a power scale/sweep, on board Reverb... yep. Stoked.
 
Yes, I'm more interested in the differences when playing more 80s modded Marshall styles. Most comparisons on YouTube are playing modern metal.
 
I know you and I were discussing this before you picked one up. I wish I could remember what the 6L6 version sounded like but has been way too long. I know on the 6L6 version, the Red Channel seemed so over-the-top. Don't get me wrong, still have the gain low but is very usable for a bunch of stuff. I like using a boost pedal with this amp and my Friedman to add some percussive notes. Just adds a tad.

Hope you like it! I have my gain down at 9 o'clock but sometimes I'll go to noon, just depending. Not as crazy gainy like the 6L6 was, at least from my experience.
 
From people (not me) who have played both:
I would say this EL34 is brighter over all and has more of a mid grind to it than the 6L6 version. It has loads of gain, more than any dude would ever need.

It's more raw and in your face sound with this EL34 bark and growl.
 
romanianreaper said:
I know you and I were discussing this before you picked one up. I wish I could remember what the 6L6 version sounded like but has been way too long. I know on the 6L6 version, the Red Channel seemed so over-the-top. Don't get me wrong, still have the gain low but is very usable for a bunch of stuff. I like using a boost pedal with this amp and my Friedman to add some percussive notes. Just adds a tad.

Hope you like it! I have my gain down at 9 o'clock but sometimes I'll go to noon, just depending. Not as crazy gainy like the 6L6 was, at least from my experience.
Click to expand...

yep. Can’t wait to get it.
And fwiw, I guess. I never disliked my 6l6 when I had it. It was/is very diff than my modded plexi voicing but I still liked it a lot. It had, as I’m sure the el34 does as well, way more gain than I’ll need bu better to have it on tap and dial back I say. The 6l6 took pedals very very well also...assuming the el34 Will equally.
 
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