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Post subject: Vibro king tube options
Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2017 9:06 am
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I have a newer version of the vibro king with the 6v6 reverb driver. I'm wonder if anyone had swapped out the reverb or preamp/power tubes with something different than stock. I've been reading a lot on the 6v6 for a 6k6 and 12ax7's for 12at7's.

Has anyone done this and what tube socket positions for the switching of the reverb tubes be. Obviously the 6k6 would go in v3 but the at7 does that go into v1or v2?


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Post subject: Re: Vibro king tube options
Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2017 4:09 pm
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You definitely need the correct schematic and owners manual for your amplifier.
I think there are at least 3 versions of the VK. Not knowing specifically which version you have its hard to give any advice.
Substituting tubes in this amp usually requires more than just a tube swap. The separation of the amps circuits are very unique to this model. If you change from a 6v6 to a 6k6, it will require at least a new value bias resistor. As far as I know the issues with the reverb were solved when they switched to the 6v6 from the el84. Reverting to a 6k6 as the original stand alone reverb unit had may create additional issues with the circuit.
As far as the 12at7 vs the 12ax7, V5(phase inverter) is the only place I would try one.
Again the amps circuits are not standard Fender, ala Leo.
Check the manual for a better description of the tubes function, most of the triodes (12ax7) are used separately
or each half a tube works something specific and makes substitutions difficult. Inserting a substitution would only be half right, if that makes sense.
This may or may not be your amplifier version, but the information should still be relative.
http://el34world.com/charts/Schematics/files/fender/Fender_vibro_king_manual.pdf


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Post subject: Re: Vibro king tube options
Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2017 7:55 am
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Mine is a 2006 so I'm assuming is the latest version using the 6v6 as the reverb driver instead of the el84. I have read about swapping different reverb tubes but will require a bias and adding a resistor to get it back within safe levels.

I had a 63 reverb tank reissue with a bassman reissue and the reverb just seemed a lot more surf like, crashy and drippy I guess. It had the 6k6, ax7 and at7.

I don't want to mess with this amp as it's pretty wild as it is but was just wondering if anyone has swapped those tubes in the reverb section to the specs of the reverb stand alone tank. With successful results.


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Post subject: Re: Vibro king tube options
Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2017 1:46 pm
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After looking at the schematics a bit more, you could probably try a 12at7 in V1 and get a bit less gain/output from the reverb.
Maybe a good 5751 would work better.
Probably have an effect on the all the knobs associated w/ each tube half as described at the start of the manual.
Perhaps a good NOS or slightly used old 6v6 would be better to try in V3, you didn't say what you had in there now.
GL, let us know how it turns out.


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Post subject: Re: Vibro king tube options
Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2017 9:13 am
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Hey thanks. I think I'm going to pick up a NOS at7 and try it in the v1 position. I have a new groove tube 6v6 in v3 now. Right now I just have the stock ax7's in the reverb circuit right now.


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