Should I convert my 76 Super lead to EL34's?

[jonl]

Right now it has 6550's in it
Here's a video of how she sounds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUf551mWkrk

What will change if I swap?

Thanks,
Jon

 

[lespaul6]

for that style of music I would leave it alone... you might have tighter bottom end with the 6550's I think...

 

[joepete77]

I have a 75 superlead that still has old 6550's in it. I was going to swap for el34's , but after running it through my ho attenuator with the variac option I got one of the best Marshall tones I ever heard. I was wondering if installing a power transformer with a low voltage and maybe a ppimv would achieve the same effect?

 

[Shawn Lutz]

no, 6550 Marshalls kick ass

 

[metalmaniac93]

I agree!! Leave it alone!!!

 

[Schaf]

Honestly, there isn't that much difference. Yeah, maybe the bottom is a little rounder and the highs a little more brittle. But it's pretty subtle. I wouldn't change it if you like the tone. Lots of people will lead you to believe that it'll make a huge difference, but again, it's pretty subtle.

 

[skoora]

I haven't tried a 6550 Marshall yet that I didn't like better with 34's. The midrange and top end get sweeter. Definitely enough to where I notice. The difference in Low end tightness is negligible in my experience.

 

[Shawn Lutz]

Back in the 80's I had multiple JCM800 2203's (and 2204's) with 6550's and EL-34's and I ended up keeping only one, an 83 2203 with 6550's.

 

[paulyc]

EL34s are THE Marshall sound. They "crunch" better...for lack of a better word. I've had both, and I like the sound of both, but 34s just do it for me. FWIW.

 

[skoora]

Back in the 80's I had multiple JCM800 2203's (and 2204's) with 6550's and EL-34's and I ended up keeping only one, an 83 2203 with 6550's.

That may have had more to do with the amp, as a whole, was just on the money. Would have been interesting to try 34's in it and see if you liked it less. Do you still have it?