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Post subject: 6L6 and EL34 Recommendations
Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 6:15 pm
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Joined: Fri Jan 25, 2008 12:06 am
Posts: 292
Location: SoCal
I recently purchased a Made in USA 90's Crate Blue Voodoo 50H for
cheap. I think the output tubes are shot, hence one reason it's cheap (in addition to it being a Crate).

But it is 50 watts, has three 12AX7 preamp tubes, two 6L6 output tubes,
reverb, presence, gain (2 channels, clean and overdriven). It'll be a
fun "project" amp.

Initially, the sound is VERY bright, well, actually more like harsh and brittle.
Since it is loud, subtlety to the ears is not a feature. I would like to tame
this dude down and instill some tone. It feels like it was made to be a
high-gain metal monster.

Interestingly, it has Auto-Biasing, and can accommodate EITHER 6L6 or
EL34 output tubes. Before buying tubes to replace the shot 6L6's, would
you recommend 6L6 or EL34 to "warm" up the tone from the screeching
tendency it seems to now have? Really, this thing has absolutely no
bass frequencies/harmonics right now.

Or, should I get new 6L6 tubes (I really do like the more "American" type
Fender tube sound), and mess with the pre-amp tubes? Say, get some
lower gain tubes along the lines of 5751 or 12AT7 (maybe even 12AY7)?
If so, should I use all the same tubes, or a mix-and-blend approach? If
the mix approach, should they be installed in some "order" in the signal
path (note: I am not sure which of the 12AX7's in there are 1-2-3 in
sequence).

Found this site's advice, think it is good?:
http://thetubestore.com/gainfactor.html

Thanks for any help!! I love this gearhead stuff.


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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 9:38 am
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Well, if you're after the American blackface type tone, you'll want to go with 6L6's. Of course, a Crate won't ever sound just like a fender, but you should be able to get close. A 50 watt all tube amp should have tons of bass available, so I think you are correct about the power tubes being shot. I would replace ALL the tubes with some good quality 6L6's and 12AX7's from a reputable company. Does it have tube-driven reverb too?If so, replace that tube also. You won't believe the difference some good quality new tubes will make!

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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 12:07 pm
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Hollis Prince wrote:
I would replace ALL the tubes with some good quality 6L6's and 12AX7's from a reputable company. Does it have tube-driven reverb too?If so, replace that tube also. You won't believe the difference some good quality new tubes will make!


I agree, try tubedepot.com or tubeman.com :wink:

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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 12:58 pm
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Try some JJ's Got em in my Bassman and Marshall clone and they rock. 8)

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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 7:58 am
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cherokee747 wrote:
Try some JJ's Got em in my Bassman and Marshall clone and they rock. 8)

This will be one of the few times I will ever reccomend a full set of JJ's but I agree. I normally find the tone of ECC83 JJ's to be dull and lacking sparkle but for this situation it should be just what you are asking for. Go with a full set of JJ ECC83's and for power tubes use JJ 6L6's or the EL34L's!


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