EVH 50w: 6L6 or EL34?

[GuitarBilly]

So I recently got another 50w EVH - standard 6L6 model. I really like the amp and I'm happy with it.

But I have a chance to do a straight trade on the EL34 model.

Now, I've owned the EL34 before. At the time I bought the EL34 while I had the 6L6 to compare the 2. I remember liking the Green and Red channels on the EL34 better than the 6L6, but not the Blue channel. So I ended up keeping the 6L6.
However, that was before the C137 mod became known. I think if I'd known about the mod I'd have kept the EL34 instead (well you know... for as long as I keep an amp ).

So this time around, if I do this trade, I'll do the mod right away.
Now, I've never heard the mod in person just on YT clips, which is kind of like thinking you know a woman by reading her dating profile.

So for those who have actually done the mod or played the modded version: how much of a difference does it really make?? Does it really make the Blue channel similar the the 6L6 Blue or is there still some of that loose low end of the stock EL34 Blue?

By the way this is about the 50w. I know the 100w amps don't have that issue.

Thanks!!

[EndTime]

The mod makes a pretty big difference. Definitely a good mod unless you want to just use boosts to tighten it up if left stock. But the mod basically makes it so a boost isn’t necessary but it’s not SUPER tight either. Could still take a boost well.

It still isn’t the same as the Blue on the 6l6. I would say it’s got enough gain, but it’s still a bit less than the 6l6 to my ears. The tone on the blue is definitely more Marshally on the el34 with the mod.

As far as a straight up trade, I mean, they aren’t worlds apart at all. I’d guess I prolly liked the original 50 6l6 a tad bit more than the el34. But if I played them both again today, I might feel the other way.

[GuitarBilly]

The mod makes a pretty big difference. Definitely a good mod unless you want to just use boosts to tighten it up if left stock. But the mod basically makes it so a boost isn’t necessary but it’s not SUPER tight either. Could still take a boost well.

It still isn’t the same as the Blue on the 6l6. I would say it’s got enough gain, but it’s still a bit less than the 6l6 to my ears. The tone on the blue is definitely more Marshally on the el34 with the mod.

As far as a straight up trade, I mean, they aren’t worlds apart at all. I’d guess I prolly liked the original 50 6l6 a tad bit more than the el34. But if I played them both again today, I might feel the other way.

I run the blue channel gain on 3 so I'm sure the EL34 would have enough gain for me. And being a bit more Marshally is definitely a good thing in my book. But I do like the 6L6 quite a bit.
I also agree that at the end of the day they're not worlds apart.

Thanks for the info man!!!

[bubbastain]

I had the EL34 50 and 6L6 50 at the same time a couple of years ago. I did not like the stock blue channel on the EL34 model at all. I did the C137 mod immediately and it was a big improvement. I still slightly preferred the blue channel of the 6L6 version, but the mod made it much closer. Still slightly looser, but not much. I pretty much live on the blue channel like 90% of the time and usually run the gain knob between 10:30 to 11 o'clock.

[Landshark]

throw a little switch in to enable or disable C137 mod. i didn't, but you can and its easy enough.

[GuitarBilly]

throw a little switch in to enable or disable C137 mod. i didn't, but you can and its easy enough.

Yeah I don't know if it's worth it because I don't like the tone with C137 in at all. I think I'd probably just clip one of the legs so it's easy to put it back if I ever wanted to sell the amp.

[madrigal77]

50w EL34 then get 100w 6L6

[Landshark]

I think I'd probably just clip one of the legs so it's easy to put it back if I ever wanted to sell the amp.

that IS the C137 mod.

[GuitarBilly]

I think I'd probably just clip one of the legs so it's easy to put it back if I ever wanted to sell the amp.

that IS the C137 mod.

Yeah I know.

I just don't think I'd put it on a switch.

[GuitarBilly]

50w EL34 then get 100w 6L6

Honestly, I've been considering the 100w EL34. It's a huge amp and it's overkill for my needs but that hasn't deterred me before

[EndTime]

50w EL34 then get 100w 6L6

Honestly, I've been considering the 100w EL34. It's a huge amp and it's overkill for my needs but that hasn't deterred me before

Perhaps I’m a bit biased, but I made the plunge for it just to see if it’s truly the best there is, as far as 5150 models go, and I like em all to some degree, but it’s the King…. I honestly believe that. But it’s very aggressive. But the Blue likely still has more gain than you’d ever need. I’m basically living on the Blue only these days too. It’s the best channel the 5150 line ever did. IMO, of course.. But I feel pretty qualified . Lol

My last clip with the blue. I am goosing it a bit but with a parametric EQ. Also just to change the mids a touch. Standard old school, scoop the amp a bit and boost em back in the front end. Just to saturate it a bit more but honestly it’s about 85% the amp and just that bit extra with the eq. I know you don’t go this heavy, but still, it’s so good..

https://app.box.com/s/02m0bf140n01kswnvrsfe13c51jusbji

[EndTime]

As far as the physical size, I actually love how ridiculous it is. Lol: but it has handles on both sides and it’s easier to just use both hands and carry it on the sides. I honestly don’t mind humping it around. It’s not any worse than any other tube head. It sorta sucks in tight spaces around the house if you have to carry it in and out of tighter hallways, etc, but then you just grab one side handle and carry it “upright”

[MacaroniSalad]

I seem to recall playing the 100W EL34 version and thinking it was the best sounding. Even if you just live on the Blue Channel, its the best sounding channel on all the Fiddy's for my needs.

[EndTime]

But yeah, it’s probably overkill. Lol

[GuitarBilly]

I kinda like overkill lol

I decided not to do the trade and keep the 6L6 50w. But I'm considering the 100w EL34. There's one for $1800 on Reverb right now, very tempting

[madrigal77]

I kinda like overkill lol

I decided not to do the trade and keep the 6L6 50w. But I'm considering the 100w EL34. There's one for $1800 on Reverb right now, very tempting

Do it!! I haven't played the EL34 version, but the 6L6 100w is my favourite amp ever.

[spawnofthesith]

Not to derail this thread but it seems Billy reached a resolution


Ive been gassing for one of these for ages. I realize that the newer concentric knob version is a clear upgrade in terms of flexibility, HOWEVER…. I don’t necessarily need flexibility and knowing myself I think I’d probably mostly use channels 1 and 3…. If I could save 2-$300 bucks do y’all think having the concentric knobs is -really- necessary?

I like very clean and very high gain. I don’t really do a medium gain thing at all

[GuitarBilly]

As long as you don't mind a bit of break up on your clean tones the concentric pots are not necessary.

With the gain set pastv1 o'clock the volume difference goes away.

If you need squeaky clean tones than you will need the concentric pots.

[spawnofthesith]

As long as you don't mind a bit of break up on your clean tones the concentric pots are not necessary.

With the gain set pastv1 o'clock the volume difference goes away.

If you need squeaky clean tones than you will need the concentric pots.

But if I’m effectively ignoring the blue channel and just using green and red it doesn’t really matter no?

[EndTime]

As long as you don't mind a bit of break up on your clean tones the concentric pots are not necessary.

With the gain set pastv1 o'clock the volume difference goes away.

If you need squeaky clean tones than you will need the concentric pots.

But if I’m effectively ignoring the blue channel and just using green and red it doesn’t really matter no?

No..


And I can say I had both the old version of the 50w 6l6 AND the concentric pot version. At the same time. Cause I heard stories the original was better. I’m a critical fucking guy when it comes to this kind of shit, and the answer is…… They are identical. Lol

Not saying THAT question was raised but they sound the exact same. So if the original is going for cheaper and you don’t need the function? Save your money

[eyeball987]

The EVH EL34 100W has been on my radar for years. The blue channel sounds like it would be a very good fit for me. Evertime I looked for a trade, nobody was moving one.

[GuitarBilly]

Yeah I had the OG 100w for a while. I liked it but preferred the 50w overall for size features etc. I think I'd go with a 6505+ before bought the OG 100w again.

But the EL34S 100w is interesting to me because it's supposed to do the Marshall thing well on the blue channel.

I need to find one to try it out in person and see how that goes.