5881 > EL34 conversion

surfdog777 · 10-27-2006, 11:16 PM

Getting my 93 JCM900 converted from 5881s to JJ EL34s.
Picking up from the shop on Monday. Was just curious if anyone else had made the same conversion.

Guv'nor · 10-28-2006, 08:50 AM

I did it to my 30th Anniversary. It was ok with the 5881/6L6 and now is a Marshall beast with the EL34

Well done dude!

surfdog777 · 10-29-2006, 09:38 PM

Cool......I have always dug the EL34s. The head needed re-tubing anyway, so I figured why not go ahead and go for it.

jcm900 · 12-18-2006, 12:23 PM

I want to hear a jcm 900 with EL34. Where can I get it?
I have listened that EL34 has better sound than 5881, is it true?

Thank you

Guv'nor · 12-18-2006, 02:00 PM

It is a very easy mod. Any tech could do it.

I would not say EL34 is better than 6L6 (5881) or the opposite. They are just different.

- EL34 is the typical Marshall sound. Sweet and nasty.
- 6L6 is more Fender. Cleaner with more definition.

jcm900 · 12-19-2006, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guv'nor

It is a very easy mod. Any tech could do it.

I would not say EL34 is better than 6L6 (5881) or the opposite. They are just different.

- EL34 is the typical Marshall sound. Sweet and nasty.
- 6L6 is more Fender. Cleaner with more definition.

I understand...thank you

JLH · 07-26-2007, 07:49 PM

I did the change, IMO it cleaned the amp up, added SAG set to preamp, it gave my 900 more headroom, let me what you think

lpaholic59Don · 09-04-2007, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guv'nor

It is a very easy mod. Any tech could do it.

I would not say EL34 is better than 6L6 (5881) or the opposite. They are just different.

- EL34 is the typical Marshall sound. Sweet and nasty.
- 6L6 is more Fender. Cleaner with more definition.

I had a 4500 Head the 5881 model, Since I couldnt gig my half stack around here, I ran across a earlier 4501 Combo, I like the sound of the EK34s a bit better, I think the 5881's gave the clean channel more warmth I believe the 34's give the drive channel a tad more hard Marshall Edge

coldsteal2 · 09-24-2007, 06:51 AM

I kind of like the 5881's i get a better crunch from them
than from the EL34's. 34's probably alot better for leads though.
I think the 5881's remind me a bit of the old HIWATT 100 sound.
And i do love that sound, but would love to get a head with
34's.

10-27-2006, 11:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
surfdog777 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 62	5881 > EL34 conversion Getting my 93 JCM900 converted from 5881s to JJ EL34s. Picking up from the shop on Monday. Was just curious if anyone else had made the same conversion.

07-26-2007, 07:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
JLH Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 39	Re: 5881 > EL34 conversion I did the change, IMO it cleaned the amp up, added SAG set to preamp, it gave my 900 more headroom, let me what you think

09-24-2007, 06:51 AM	#9 (permalink)
coldsteal2 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chico, CA Posts: 1,908	Re: 5881 > EL34 conversion I kind of like the 5881's i get a better crunch from them than from the EL34's. 34's probably alot better for leads though. I think the 5881's remind me a bit of the old HIWATT 100 sound. And i do love that sound, but would love to get a head with 34's. __________________ Playing Marshall's since 1969 Vintage Modern 2266, JCM-800, JCM-900,1960A(G12H's), DSL-401,AVT-50combo , CLASS 5 Head,Orange Rockerverb 50, and cab My Youtubes......ColdSteal II on Soundclick.com

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10-28-2006, 08:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
Guv'nor Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 244	I did it to my 30th Anniversary. It was ok with the 5881/6L6 and now is a Marshall beast with the EL34 Well done dude!

10-29-2006, 09:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
surfdog777 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 62	Cool......I have always dug the EL34s. The head needed re-tubing anyway, so I figured why not go ahead and go for it.

12-18-2006, 12:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
jcm900 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Argentina Posts: 15	I want to hear a jcm 900 with EL34. Where can I get it? I have listened that EL34 has better sound than 5881, is it true? Thank you

12-18-2006, 02:00 PM	#5 (permalink)
Guv'nor Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 244	It is a very easy mod. Any tech could do it. I would not say EL34 is better than 6L6 (5881) or the opposite. They are just different. - EL34 is the typical Marshall sound. Sweet and nasty. - 6L6 is more Fender. Cleaner with more definition.