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Post subject: Blues Deluxe Reissue: Changing Tubes
Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 1:26 pm
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I know this is probably a real sophomore question... But I'm wondering if it would be necessary to have a tech install 6V6 tubes in place of the 6L6 power tubes that come stock in a Blues Deluxe. I'm wanting to roll back the power a bit and hoping this will do the trick. Would such an installation change the wattage rating of the amp? Thanks to any who can help.

BTW, I did take the plunge and purchase a Blues Deluxe Reissue, new! (Yay)

:D


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Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 7:01 pm
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Something to think about...

Typical 6V6 voltages are generally much lower than
typical 6L6 voltages. If you put a 6V6 in a 6L6 circuit, the increased voltage of the 6L6 circuit design will blow up the 6V6!!

It can be done, your amp's bias point will have to be reset
to allow the different style power tube (6V6).

The amp will have less headroom-
you will be able to turn up the volume knob
to a higher number setting.

BTW; Congrats on the new amp purchase!! :wink:

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Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 9:03 pm
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Thanks for the reply! I'll just have to have it done by a pro then, it sounds like.

SD :D


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Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 8:05 am
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Coincidentally, just yesterday I inquired about new tubes at thetubestore.com and their response touched on the subject that you have inquired about.

Here’s my question and their answer:

Question:

I own a Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue and have replaced the pre-amp tubes with Tung-Sol 12AX7 (at least one of the original tubes from Fender was defective). I am well pleased with the Tung-Sol tubes and am considering replacing the power tubes with Tung-Sol 5881's and keeping the originals for emergencies. That is, if it is OK to just plug/unplug without rebiasing. Can this be done with this amp?

Also, if replacement without rebiasing is possible, will this pair of power tubes allow for breakup at a lower volume than the original tubes? On channel 2, I max the "drive" @12, but cannot use the master volume much beyond 3 without becoming too loud for my useage (We mic our amps and try to keep stage noise low.)

Will there be any noticeable difference on the "clean" channel (Chnl. 1)? I normally use it between 2 and 3 volume setting.

Thanks in advance for your response.


Answer:

You can use the 5881 or any other 6L6 you like. The Blue Dx amps are fixed/non-adjustable bias designs. There is no way to adjust the bias. This makes it very important to mention to us the model of your amp when ordering so we can select a set in the appropriate bias range. You can use the comments box on the checkout page for these details.

Using Tungsol 5881 tubes will breakup a little earlier than 6L6 tubes, but I'm not sure how dramatic it will be. Probably noticeable to you, but not anyone else. If you really need to drop some power, an affordable option is THD Yellow Jackets. Here's a link, http://thetubestore.com/yjsd.html. Yellow Jackets reduce the amplifier's power by 50% to 70%. They can be used to replace 6V6, EL34, 6L6 and 6550 tube types without modification or rebiasing so you can use them in other amps too.

A more pricey route is the THD Hot-Plate attenuator, http://thetubestore.com/hotplate8.html. A very nice unit that lets you stick with the stock tubes if you preferred that.


** I am going to get either the 5881’s or the Yellow Jackets- haven’t decided as of yet. I’ve had an electronics repairman (authorized rpr. station for Fender) tell me that he doesn’t recommend attenuators, as if not used properly can result in damage to the amp. He then pointed to two amps in his shop that were damaged while using attennuators.)

I’d be interested in hearing which route you go and your thoughts on the results.

Thanks

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Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 1:34 pm
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Thanks RVM Lead. I had actually planned on changing the Master Volume Pot, but this seems like an easier fix to problems associated with volume with the lead channel. I'll be sure to post here my experiences if I in fact experiment with the THC Yellow Jacket tubes. SD


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Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 2:42 pm
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RVM lead wrote:
Answer:

You can use the 5881 or any other 6L6 you like. The Blue Dx amps are fixed/non-adjustable bias designs. There is no way to adjust the bias.


I disagree that fixed or non adjustable bias design
can not be adjusted.

Non Adjustable Fixed Bias amps do not have a variable resistor
but use a dropping resistor and a load resistor without an
adjustable potentiometer. These amps can still be adjusted by substituting
a decade box or potentiometer for the load resistor to determine the
exact value resistor needed.
Any qualified amp tech knows this and can
help with any power tube conversion even changing tube sockets
if need be.

Just something to think about.

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Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 3:00 pm
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#1StratMan:
Of course you're correct. This is probably just a matter of semantics. What one person calls an adjustment, another might term a modification.

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Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 3:24 pm
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RVM lead

Your OP is very informative and I agree with it except the part I addressed earlier. It's a misconception that many have. I just wanted to clarify that-that's all.
It would be more reasonable for senggedorje to follow your
advice than to mod his amp- unless he likes to play around with circuits like I do. :wink:

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Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 9:56 pm
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I greatly appreciate ALL of the advice, information and opinions. As these things go with musical instruments, and I do believe that the guitar is just one half of the musical instrument, trial and error and careful listening will be needed to figure out which solution to the "drive channel being too loud for home practice" problem. I had also thought of simply running a Tube Screamer through the first channel of the amp in order to get a dirtier sound. Ultimately, after the thing arrives on back order, I'm going to play it for a few weeks and then figure out what I might want to do. The THD Yellow Jacket tubes seem to be a great option, and if I change anything about the amp, I'll probably try them first as they would be the least invasive. I know I bought a 40 watt tube amp and should expect it to be loud, but I also wanted an amp that had an effects loop, switchable reverb and a standby switch, which steered my decision making towards the Blues Deluxe. It's also a great sounding amp! Again, thanks to you both.

Regards,
SD


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