Laney GH50L... What power tubes?

[colejustesen]

I was told by the sales guy at the Guitar Center where I bought my GH50L from that tubes should be changed [granted I was going to replace them anyway]. From my research, I have found that most people prefer the 6L6 tubes over the EL34s...

Can you guys suggest me a set of power tubes... There seems to be a lot of love for JJ 6L6 and =C= 6L6 tubes, but I have read that KT77s sound good too.

I was wondering what style you guys think is the best, and what brand?

I like =C= stuff, but honestly don't want to spend the money on =C= if I don't have too. I have found that I like the STR tubes from Ruby. Can anyone comment on the Ruby 6L6GC-MSTR and whether this would be a good fit for the Laney?

[100 watt]

6L6 .

Im not a fan of EL34's . Havent used KT77's

[colejustesen]

6L6 .

Im not a fan of EL34's . Havent used KT77's

Do you have a specific 6L6 that you prefer?

Cole

[GuitarBilly]

JJ 6L6's. Trust me, it's the best sounding tube for the GH.

[100 watt]

JJ 6L6's. Trust me, it's the best sounding tube for the GH.

What Billy said. He's had enough experience with the GH line to know whats up.

[Ostinato Rubato]

Another +1 on the JJ6L6. That's what I had in my GH50L, although I am also a fan of JJKT77's in that amp for a different but great flavor.

I've also tried Mesa (sovtek) 6L6, JJE34L, and JJ6CA7. Didn't like any of those. I don't remember what Ruby 6L6GC-MSTR sounded like exactly because it was a very short period of time I had them in the GH50L but I do remember liking the tone overall.

[O'Rourke]

Not sure about the GH50L but JJ 6CA7's sounded killer in my old VHR100.

[Ostinato Rubato]

Not sure about the GH50L but JJ 6CA7's sounded killer in my old VHR100.

This goes to show how subjective these things are. I tried 6CA7 in both GH50L and VH100R and didn't like them.

Although, one thing that is very true about these Laneys is that they're equally sensitive to tubes as they are to speakers, and the various combinations thereof can all be very different sounding... so it will depend a lot on your cab which tubes perform better. Typically though, 6L6 works with all.

[O'Rourke]

Yeah tone wise there really is no "better" power tube, just different tone/feel. Whether somebody likes that difference or not is a matter of taste.

[colejustesen]

I realize what I am asking is subjective, but I was interested in hearing what people had good results with. I was leaning towards a 6L6 of some sort, the JJ 6CA7, or the JJ KT77... Thanks to you guys, I feel comfortable buying a duet of JJ 6L6 tubes.

I can't wait to get my hands on this beast! Thanks a lot guys!!!

Cole

[Viesczy]

I prefer 6L6s in my VH100 (it currently has E34Ls in it), so I voted 6L6.

Billy kinda squashed the 6CA7, I've not tried it, but from reading the tone description from folks it seems like a jack of all trades/give a some of the flavor of both sorta tube.

Mesa says this about 6CA7S:

"The fatter U.S. type (also known as 6CA7) produce a sound that has some of the characteristics of the 6L6and they too sound like they look, fatter and beefi er, which is not as readily identifi able as a true EL34 sound"

Derek

[Ostinato Rubato]

I realize what I am asking is subjective, but I was interested in hearing what people had good results with. I was leaning towards a 6L6 of some sort, the JJ 6CA7, or the JJ KT77... Thanks to you guys, I feel comfortable buying a duet of JJ 6L6 tubes.

I can't wait to get my hands on this beast! Thanks a lot guys!!!

Cole

I think I have 2 JJKT77's lying around. PM me your address and I'll send them to you for free!

I gave Greg Apocalypse a quad of 6CA7's for his VH100R because I personally didn't like them and they just were sitting around. I don't mind helping another Laney guy out with some tubes I'm very unlikely to ever use

[colejustesen]

Yeah I thought the 6CA7 sounded like it would be a good compromise, but I will start with JJ 6L6 tubes first...

I will probably experiment later down the road, but I better start with the tried and proven route... I just hope that the amp plays nicely with my speaker. The Fane Medusa I have reminds me of a punchier G12H30 and higher power handling. I have heard some clips and YouTube videos that have teh GH going through a cab with G12H30s and it sounds great to me. So I hope that those two play nice, otherwise I might have to try something darker... I have always been intrigued by the Eminence Cannabis Rex...

Cole

[Ostinato Rubato]

Yeah I thought the 6CA7 sounded like it would be a good compromise, but I will start with JJ 6L6 tubes first...

I will probably experiment later down the road, but I better start with the tried and proven route... I just hope that the amp plays nicely with my speaker. The Fane Medusa I have reminds me of a punchier G12H30 and higher power handling. I have heard some clips and YouTube videos that have teh GH going through a cab with G12H30s and it sounds great to me. So I hope that those two play nice, otherwise I might have to try something darker... I have always been intrigued by the Eminence Cannabis Rex...

Cole

Holy fuck you have a Medusa? You MUST share how that works for you, but I will say I didn't like the GH50L with a G12H30... or V30 for that matter. Speakers that are for sure for sure good speakers for that amp are T75, K100, and CL80.

[opether]

JJ 6L6's. Trust me, it's the best sounding tube for the GH.

What Billy said. He's had enough experience with the GH line to know whats up.

Personal preference, is what it boils down to. I've owned 3 GH-Series Laneys, and I preferred EL34's, as I like a more "British", mid-range tone.

That said, JJ E34L's work well, or meet half-way, and go JJ KT77, or even a JJ 6CA7. JJ power tubes are excellent for less money, but in a 6L6, I rank the JJ's one of the best. Deep warm lows, and good punch. But, for more money, the =C= is the bomb.

[colejustesen]

Yeah I thought the 6CA7 sounded like it would be a good compromise, but I will start with JJ 6L6 tubes first...

I will probably experiment later down the road, but I better start with the tried and proven route... I just hope that the amp plays nicely with my speaker. The Fane Medusa I have reminds me of a punchier G12H30 and higher power handling. I have heard some clips and YouTube videos that have teh GH going through a cab with G12H30s and it sounds great to me. So I hope that those two play nice, otherwise I might have to try something darker... I have always been intrigued by the Eminence Cannabis Rex...

Cole

Holy fuck you have a Medusa? You MUST share how that works for you, but I will say I didn't like the GH50L with a G12H30... or V30 for that matter. Speakers that are for sure for sure good speakers for that amp are T75, K100, and CL80.

Yes sir I do I will definitely get some perspective and clips of it posted on here for you. I have it in my ported 1x12 cab and it sounds huge. I could only imagine what a 2x12 or 4x12 of these beasts could sound like. Probably shake open the gates to heaven

These are great speakers! I compared it to a WGS Reaper HP and it made the Reaper sound raspy and nasty. It could have been my ported cab that was playing an effect on it, but the Fane sounds magnificent in this cab.

I guess if they don't play nicely together I will snag a Classic Lead 80, that is my second favorite speaker that I have used, after the Medusa...

Cole

[colejustesen]

JJ 6L6's. Trust me, it's the best sounding tube for the GH.

What Billy said. He's had enough experience with the GH line to know whats up.

Personal preference, is what it boils down to. I've owned 3 GH-Series Laneys, and I preferred EL34's, as I like a more "British", mid-range tone.

That said, JJ E34L's work well, or meet half-way, and go JJ KT77, or even a JJ 6CA7. JJ power tubes are excellent for less money, but in a 6L6, I rank the JJ's one of the best. Deep warm lows, and good punch. But, for more money, the =C= is the bomb.

Thanks for the information! I will keep this in mind for later down the road! I wish I could justify the =C= tubes, but they haven't become too costly for me. So JJ here I come.

Cole

[Ostinato Rubato]

Yeah I thought the 6CA7 sounded like it would be a good compromise, but I will start with JJ 6L6 tubes first...

I will probably experiment later down the road, but I better start with the tried and proven route... I just hope that the amp plays nicely with my speaker. The Fane Medusa I have reminds me of a punchier G12H30 and higher power handling. I have heard some clips and YouTube videos that have teh GH going through a cab with G12H30s and it sounds great to me. So I hope that those two play nice, otherwise I might have to try something darker... I have always been intrigued by the Eminence Cannabis Rex...

Cole

Holy fuck you have a Medusa? You MUST share how that works for you, but I will say I didn't like the GH50L with a G12H30... or V30 for that matter. Speakers that are for sure for sure good speakers for that amp are T75, K100, and CL80.

Yes sir I do I will definitely get some perspective and clips of it posted on here for you. I have it in my ported 1x12 cab and it sounds huge. I could only imagine what a 2x12 or 4x12 of these beasts could sound like. Probably shake open the gates to heaven

These are great speakers! I compared it to a WGS Reaper HP and it made the Reaper sound raspy and nasty. It could have been my ported cab that was playing an effect on it, but the Fane sounds magnificent in this cab.

I guess if they don't play nicely together I will snag a Classic Lead 80, that is my second favorite speaker that I have used, after the Medusa...

Cole

I use the WGS version of the CL80, and it's my favorite speaker and a really really great match for these Laneys. Really.

[colejustesen]

Yeah I thought the 6CA7 sounded like it would be a good compromise, but I will start with JJ 6L6 tubes first...

I will probably experiment later down the road, but I better start with the tried and proven route... I just hope that the amp plays nicely with my speaker. The Fane Medusa I have reminds me of a punchier G12H30 and higher power handling. I have heard some clips and YouTube videos that have teh GH going through a cab with G12H30s and it sounds great to me. So I hope that those two play nice, otherwise I might have to try something darker... I have always been intrigued by the Eminence Cannabis Rex...

Cole

Holy fuck you have a Medusa? You MUST share how that works for you, but I will say I didn't like the GH50L with a G12H30... or V30 for that matter. Speakers that are for sure for sure good speakers for that amp are T75, K100, and CL80.

Yes sir I do I will definitely get some perspective and clips of it posted on here for you. I have it in my ported 1x12 cab and it sounds huge. I could only imagine what a 2x12 or 4x12 of these beasts could sound like. Probably shake open the gates to heaven

These are great speakers! I compared it to a WGS Reaper HP and it made the Reaper sound raspy and nasty. It could have been my ported cab that was playing an effect on it, but the Fane sounds magnificent in this cab.

I guess if they don't play nicely together I will snag a Classic Lead 80, that is my second favorite speaker that I have used, after the Medusa...

Cole

I use the WGS version of the CL80, and it's my favorite speaker and a really really great match for these Laneys. Really.

I haven't tried the British Lead version, but at a time I know James Peters was recommending the British Lead 80 and if I remember correctly a Vintage 30 for his amps. I respect him and his amps, so if he recommends them, and you as a Laney owner recommend them, then I will listen! Thanks!!!

Cole

[100 watt]

I'm curious as to what current production pre amp tubes to use with the gh100s. Was going to get it outta layaway quicker, but haven't had the extra scratch

[colejustesen]

I'm curious as to what current production pre amp tubes to use with the gh100s. Was going to get it outta layaway quicker, but haven't had the extra scratch

This is question I have too...

Cole

[100 watt]

I'm usually a fan of tung sol 12ax7s. Not sure how they fair in a Laney though

[Ostinato Rubato]

I'm curious as to what current production pre amp tubes to use with the gh100s. Was going to get it outta layaway quicker, but haven't had the extra scratch

I use JJ's also, but I firmly stand by the gold pin ECC803S for V1 position. ECC803s is the long plate version of a 12AX7 and it has a pinch less gain but is thicker in the mids and highs. I know that nobody believes that the gold pins make any difference, and the pins themselves make no difference at all, but they must be higher grade tubes that they just make the pins gold... or something. I've A/B'd (so to speak) a couple different regular ECC803S to 4 different gold pin ECC803S in the V1 position and there is a definite difference in sound.

So GAB, say what you want about JJ gold pin tubes and make fun of me or call it placebo or whatever you want. The gold pins sound better.

[colejustesen]

Mike... Do you use the hi or low input? I read that when you go through the high input, it disengages the V1 gain stage, but in low it engages that tube...

I assume you use the low input, since you are using a lower gain tube in V1????

I was thinking of putting my JAN/Philips 5751 there or in V4 when the time comes... And can you guys remind which tubes are safe in a cathode follower position?

Cole

[lenster]

When i had my VH100R it came with stock 6L6 chinese tubes,, swapped them for some JJs and the amp was much warmer. changed after a while to EL34 (JJ) and preferred them overall. Seemed to have more of a mid range bark that than the 6L6. my preference only .
The best thing for my tone was when i started using the G Flex cab with it . Great combo IMHO.