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Post subject: Fender Super Sonic 6L6 5881 Swap Thoughts
Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 11:31 am
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Hello, I was thinking about swapping the 6L6 tubes in my Super Sonic with Tung Sol 5881s. Anyone tried this before? Any thoughts on the brilliance or lack thereof of this idea?

I have read other posts describing which tubes do what but how do you figure out which ones are V1A etc in the amplifier? Are there labels anywhere? The 6L6's I have figured out!

Thank you in advance for your thoughts!

Paul


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Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 9:11 am
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Hi there,

There is a label inside the cabinet which will tell you the tube positions, on the left side when you look at it from the back.

The swapping of 6L6 for 5881 is controversial. Some folks have done it without problems on older vintage amps. I am not an amp tech, but here is what I know. I read that plate voltage of the super-sonic is around 470-480 volts and that 25 Watt tubes such as 6L6, 6L6GB, and 5881 are rated for plate voltage up to 400 volts.

Using the 5881 rated at 400 volts in a high voltage amp with a solid-state rectifier (like the super-sonic), will likely cause problems.

Source: http://thetubestore.com/tungsol5881.html

To be on the safe side, you should always use 6L6GC power tube with the super-sonic....and make sure they handle plate voltage above 500 volts... Using 5881 will not really tame the beast down for appartmen playing if this is what you were hoping to achieve....a volume pedal is less risky and will do that.

Tweed Dog Steve


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Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 8:12 pm
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Thank you for your thoughts. I have read your posts in other threads. I was under the assumption (yeah, I do know what they say about assuming) the amp could be re-biased to account for the difference in voltage. Thanks again! I'm thinking about retubing the amp with Tung-Sol 12ax7s and a JAN Phillips 5751 for the burn channel (V3 I think?). Thanks again!


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Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 7:13 am
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sextonpm wrote:
Thank you for your thoughts. I have read your posts in other threads. I was under the assumption (yeah, I do know what they say about assuming) the amp could be re-biased to account for the difference in voltage. Thanks again! I'm thinking about retubing the amp with Tung-Sol 12ax7s and a JAN Phillips 5751 for the burn channel (V3 I think?). Thanks again!


Purchasing the super-sonic brought me here and i did just that (swap the preamps for Tung-Sol 12ax7s and a JAN Phillips 5751). Now it's the bomb!
It really beefs the vibro, clears the bass, and the crunch on the burn is just amazing. I highly suggest it.
p.


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Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 8:07 am
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I never really liked 5881's. For me they really only shine when pushed. You get a little more headroom with them at lower volumes. A little different voltage info here. http://www.mclink.it/com/audiomatica/tubes/6l6.htm
It's really best to check with the tube manufacturer. Specs can vary slightly from brand to brand for obvious reasons. Be careful though with any swap. Be sure to do your homework. A know a lot of people who swap 6l6's and 5881's including myself, but not with your particular amp.


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Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 6:35 pm
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I recently traded my SuperSonic for a DRRI, if I had the money I would have kept the SS but I needed a lower volume amp.
When I had the SS I replaced the tubes with 12AX7 TungSol reissues and TAD 6l6's.
Before I traded it on I put the original Groove Tubes back in it, fired it up and was surprised about how good the amp sounded!!!


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Post subject: Super Sonic tube change
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:44 pm
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sextonpm, I would't mess with the 6L6's. Just get a good matched set. I've got groove tubes. But I reciently I replaced the 12ax7's with Tongsols, and the other two with JJ's. And man I highly recommend the change. low end is there but tighter. mids and highs are indcredably crystal clear, and articulate. I absolutly love the tone.


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