JCM900 4100 Dual Reverb(6550 vs EL34 and speakeroptions)

[HeimBrent]

So... I got a JCM900. The 4100 Dual Reverb. Using it like an old plexi with the gain and MV on the "clean"-channel dimed for distorted parts, and then rollig off the volume on my guitar to clean it up. I love it.

What I'm wondering however, is how it would effect the amp swapping the EL34s for 6550s? I've heard talk about that tightening up the amp, but I thought I'd ask here before actually doing it, as I probably would have to get a tech to do it due to the whole biasing-thingy...

And another question... I'm playing it through a stock 1960 cab. Are there any other speakers that would work better than the stock ones for this kind of sound? It's bluesy hard rock with riffing like Guns'n' that get's the most playing in the bandsituation right now.

Oh, and yeah. Don't bother trashtalking it.

 

[skoora]

I think Greenbacks should always be used for a classic tone with a Marshall. Some people here like 65's because it's the buzz speaker of the moment and was prevalent in the early 80 Marshall cabs but I never cared for them. I'm not sure but for 6550 you may only need to change the value of resistance in the bias circuit to give you the appropriate sweep. If any other resistors for the power tubes need to be changed I can't say. You will probably get a tighter bottom with 6550's but at the detriment to the nice rich mids and treble the EL34's give you. The mids and treble will definitely be harder sounding if your using the amp in a non master type fashion. All IMO of course. Grain of salt and all that.

 

[johnpace2]

Agreed with above. Nothing says Marshall like EL34's and Greenbacks!