harddriver":2tx3pzml said:I thought the amp was designed around the 5881, I think the Sovtek, I'm sure some SLO guys will come in here to clarify the 5881 type that's best. You might like the 6l6 better as it has a tighter low end and a bit less mids emphasis, think the EVH amp with 6l6 versus EL34. I think the 5881 also has a slightly softer low end response but I'm sure that's what Soldano designed it around for some reason.
stratjacket":3qqlkcg3 said:harddriver":3qqlkcg3 said:I thought the amp was designed around the 5881, I think the Sovtek, I'm sure some SLO guys will come in here to clarify the 5881 type that's best. You might like the 6l6 better as it has a tighter low end and a bit less mids emphasis, think the EVH amp with 6l6 versus EL34. I think the 5881 also has a slightly softer low end response but I'm sure that's what Soldano designed it around for some reason.
Yes that’s correct, mine came with a set of Sovtek 5881/6L6WGC as eyeballed in the amp.
panhead":3cl1yflf said:wont make a bit of difference unles you turn it past 5 or run it like Haynes pre 9 oclock master 3 oclock
not really if it was a 6l6 amp I doubt you could tell by hearing it if it was 6l6 5881 or kt 66`s, besides that an slo is all preamp unless you get the volume up. Then it sounds a lot like a superlead/ marshallCNutz":le7elgjc said:panhead":le7elgjc said:wont make a bit of difference unles you turn it past 5 or run it like Haynes pre 9 oclock master 3 oclock
Different power tubes have different characteristics even before you really push them.
psychodave":skd24dtx said:If I owned a SLO it would be loaded with Sylvania 7581a’s. My 5150 absolutely crushed with them. I’m sure the SLO would be insane.
harddriver":2c22mjn1 said:I thought the amp was designed around the 5881, I think the Sovtek, I'm sure some SLO guys will come in here to clarify the 5881 type that's best. You might like the 6l6 better as it has a tighter low end and a bit less mids emphasis, think the EVH amp with 6l6 versus EL34. I think the 5881 also has a slightly softer low end response but I'm sure that's what Soldano designed it around for some reason.
panhead":1j47o4p7 said:not really if it was a 6l6 amp I doubt you could tell by hearing it if it was 6l6 5881 or kt 66`s, besides that an slo is all preamp unless you get the volume up. Then it sounds a lot like a superlead/ marshallCNutz":1j47o4p7 said:panhead":1j47o4p7 said:wont make a bit of difference unles you turn it past 5 or run it like Haynes pre 9 oclock master 3 oclock
Different power tubes have different characteristics even before you really push them.
I've had a good stash of Mesa STR 415s for a few yrs now, since I've owned my first 2C+. I've tried those in 2 of the 3 SLOs I've owned, plus a quad of KT66s and without a doubt, the best tubes for that amp are the wafer bottom 5881s. Just no contest. KT66 were just too mid heavy even with the mids dropped, and the Mesa 415s(Sylvania 6L6GC, the gold standard for 6L6) were just OK sounding which was disappointing to say the least since it makes the 2C+ sound incredible. Far and away the cheap simple Sovtek Wafer bottom 5881s were the obvious choice after tube swaps. My Mesa 415s are all very strong with my tube tester and withstand the huge voltage my Coliseum puts out, so there's no question of the health of those tubes.rstites":3vhz965s said:harddriver":3vhz965s said:I thought the amp was designed around the 5881, I think the Sovtek, I'm sure some SLO guys will come in here to clarify the 5881 type that's best. You might like the 6l6 better as it has a tighter low end and a bit less mids emphasis, think the EVH amp with 6l6 versus EL34. I think the 5881 also has a slightly softer low end response but I'm sure that's what Soldano designed it around for some reason.
The SLO was designed around the 6L6GC, as far as I know. I run old Philips 6L6GC in mine. I think the 5881 were later made standard as they're more readily available, more rugged, and much less expensive than good NOS 6L6GC's. Regardless, I still like the 6L6GC's in mine.