(VIDE) SC20H Tube Comparison (Marshall vs EHX)

[Del Rei]

Hi there!! \o/

Just recorded this comparison between the stock (Marshall labeled) and the EHX tubes.
Changed the power tubes (EL34) for this test.

I don't have some EHX 12ax7, so only changed the EL34 tubes. And to be honest, didn't notice much difference. Both great tubes.

 

[scozz]

Sounds great buddy as usual! Love your stuff!

As far as the power tubes, the differences in tone are very subtle, if at all, to my ears. I’m listening on my phone speaker so not surprisingly I don’t hear any difference at all. Tomorrow I’ll give it a proper listen.

I like that you showed the diverse flavors of a SC20. I enjoy each example, well done, and great playing as always man!

Most guys that know me here, know I’m not a metal player, so an 800 type amp, (not high gain), is a good fit for me. I like the lower preamp, higher master thing, rarely do I go above 6 mostly around 4 or 5 on the preamp with humbuckers.

So it was really great to hear the medium, and low gain tracks you played, most guys when reviewing these amps, don’t show that side of the amp.
Thanks for that!

 

[junk notes]

Thanks @Del Rei for taking the time and doing the vid.

(Not their EL34, but I use EHX 6ca7's in some of my Plexi's. Very good results!)

 

[Del Rei]

Sounds great buddy as usual! Love your stuff!
As far as the power tubes, the differences in tone are very subtle, if at all, to my ears. I’m listening on my phone speaker so not surprisingly I don’t hear any difference at all. Tomorrow I’ll give it a proper listen.
I like that you showed the diverse flavors of a SC20. I enjoy each example, well done, and great playing as always man!
Most guys that know me here, know I’m not a metal player, so an 800 type amp, (not high gain), is a good fit for me. I like the lower preamp, higher master thing, rarely do I go above 6 mostly around 4 or 5 on the preamp with humbuckers.
So it was really great to hear the medium, and low gain tracks you played, most guys when reviewing these amps, don’t show that side of the amp.
Thanks for that!

Thanks, scozz.
I also like the low gain settings. Some people dislike Marshalls in this situation, but I really think they sounds good too.
But in fact, I didn't think there was a noticeable difference between "Marshall" tubes and EHX. Probably the pré amp tubes would give a more difference...(?)

Thanks @Del Rei for taking the time and doing the vid.
(Not their EL34, but I use EHX 6ca7's in some of my Plexi's. Very good results!)

Hey, man!
Thanks for the comment! \o/
I'll look for this model you mentioned.
Does it need to get any mod to change EL34 for 6CA7...?

 

[Maggot Brain]

I really never hear a difference in powertubes besides the sound of fresh ones compared to tired ones.

I am curious about the Pre tubes, tho my experience with pre amp tubes is just a shift in brightness more than anything else.

Great work on the vid!

 

[scozz]

Thanks, scozz.
I also like the low gain settings. Some people dislike Marshalls in this situation, but I really think they sounds good too.
But in fact, I didn't think there was a noticeable difference between "Marshall" tubes and EHX. Probably the pré amp tubes would give a more difference...(?)

I think so, I think most people say that changing preamp tubes has a bit more of an affect on tone than power tubes.

At least that’s my impression, I hear only a subtle difference between tubes, I’ve got tinnitus in both of the old ears on my head, so you can’t go by me.

 

[junk notes]

Thanks, scozz.
I also like the low gain settings. Some people dislike Marshalls in this situation, but I really think they sounds good too.
But in fact, I didn't think there was a noticeable difference between "Marshall" tubes and EHX. Probably the pré amp tubes would give a more difference...(?)


Hey, man!
Thanks for the comment! \o/
I'll look for this model you mentioned.
Does it need to get any mod to change EL34 for 6CA7...?

There are a few threads on the forum here on the EHX 6ca7. I would recommend having a read through as *some of the members have had different results with different amps. I only use them in Plexi's as an option to the EL34 as they deliver what I am needing, both in sound and feel. There are other members here on the forum that are more knowledgeable and can elaborate on specs of a tetrode and pentode, if you are in need of that info.. As shown in the schematics, Jim Marshall's original specs were ECC83/EL34. I think you would like a pair of them for the SV20 as it is claimed to be a 1959 circuit.
*Not a tube for some EL34 amp circuits, so YMMV.
(still waiting for Marshall to release those Studio Series schems!)

 

[solarburnDSL50]

There are a few threads on the forum here on the EHX 6ca7. I would recommend having a read through as *some of the members have had different results with different amps. I only use them in Plexi's as an option to the EL34 as they deliver what I am needing, both in sound and feel. There are other members here on the forum that are more knowledgeable and can elaborate on specs of a tetrode and pentode, if you are in need of that info.. As shown in the schematics, Jim Marshall's original specs were ECC83/EL34. I think you would like a pair of them for the SV20 as it is claimed to be a 1959 circuit.
*Not a tube for some EL34 amp circuits, so YMMV.
(still waiting for Marshall to release those Studio Series schems!)

I've got EH 6CA7's in my SC. Other amps too. I like em. Find them articulate and I'm always pushing the amps power section. JJ's version are smoother/fatter in the bottom but also articulate when soloing.

Just got a pair of Gold Lion KT77's. These remind me of Mullard XF2's. I bought them hoping they sound more like 6550's from reading others reviews. Not to my ears through The Origin 50H. Spendy though...

 

[solarburnDSL50]

Thanks, scozz.
I also like the low gain settings. Some people dislike Marshalls in this situation, but I really think they sounds good too.
But in fact, I didn't think there was a noticeable difference between "Marshall" tubes and EHX. Probably the pré amp tubes would give a more difference...(?)


Hey, man!
Thanks for the comment! \o/
I'll look for this model you mentioned.
Does it need to get any mod to change EL34 for 6CA7...?

Drop right in. Just get matched of course.

 

[MaskingApathy]

Hi there!! \o/

Just recorded this comparison between the stock (Marshall labeled) and the EHX tubes.
Changed the power tubes (EL34) for this test.

I don't have some EHX 12ax7, so only changed the EL34 tubes. And to be honest, didn't notice much difference. Both great tubes.

Great tones and playing. What were your EQ settings?

 

[Del Rei]

@Maggot Brain
Thanks for the comment.
I'll look for some pre tubes to make a nice comparison!

@junk notes @solarburnDSL50
Interesting.
Always learning something in this forum. Thank you guys.
I'll try to find some of these tubes.
No need to mod the amp, right? Just plug n' play?

@MaskingApathy
Thanks!!
The EQ was all at noon. All the time!

 

[solarburnDSL50]

@Maggot Brain
Thanks for the comment.
I'll look for some pre tubes to make a nice comparison!

@junk notes @solarburnDSL50
Interesting.
Always learning something in this forum. Thank you guys.
I'll try to find some of these tubes.
No need to mod the amp, right? Just plug n' play?

@MaskingApathy
Thanks!!
The EQ was all at noon. All the time!

No need to mod. Drop in replacement for EL34's. Get matched like you would with the 34's for this amp.

 

[Del Rei]

No need to mod. Drop in replacement for EL34's. Get matched like you would with the 34's for this amp.

Thanks, man.
Good info! I'll look for some of these.

 

[solarburnDSL50]

Thanks, man.
Good info! I'll look for some of these.

Any time bud. Love your vids! Keep em coming.

 

[abkeller1]

Hi there!! \o/

Just recorded this comparison between the stock (Marshall labeled) and the EHX tubes.
Changed the power tubes (EL34) for this test.

I don't have some EHX 12ax7, so only changed the EL34 tubes. And to be honest, didn't notice much difference. Both great tubes.

Why would you. Power tubes hardly make a difference. V1 pre-amp tube makes most tone difference and even that is negligable. Use different speakers and cabinets. That's a huge difference

 

[gregr]

 

[PentodeLicious]

Nice video
It sounds like the EHX have richer mids.
with the marshall stock tubes it sounds a bit scooped.

 

[Del Rei]

Why would you. Power tubes hardly make a difference. V1 pre-amp tube makes most tone difference and even that is negligable. Use different speakers and cabinets. That's a huge difference

Thanks for the comment, man.
I think power tubes actually make a difference when you push them to distort. A lot of people set the MV at 1, 2 or 3 - and that really won't push hard the tubes. But when you go from 5 and above, that's another scenario.

Nice video
It sounds like the EHX have richer mids.
with the marshall stock tubes it sounds a bit scooped.

Hey, man!
Thanks for the comment.
Nice you could hear some tone differences! \o/

 

[Solid State]

That's prob the most legit tube swap video that's been made because that's about as much difference as it makes. There is a difference but ultimately it's not that big of a deal.

 

[scozz]

A lot of people set the MV at 1, 2 or 3 - and that really won't push hard the tubes. But when you go from 5 and above, that's another scenario.

Yeah, like most all Marshalls the SC20 starts to really opens up when the master hits around 4.