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Post subject: Hot Rod Deluxe Tubes
Posted: Fri May 09, 2014 1:35 pm
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Greetings and salutations. I want to replace the tubes in my older USA made HRDlx, and my head is swimming with all of the info out there. I haven't been on these boards for a long time (since I was last here, I've married my girlfriend, bought a house, and had 2 kids, not in that order).

The tubes are due to be replaced, but also I would like to tame the output a bit if that is possible. I am considering putting Yellow jackets and EL84s in it. I know that will change character of the amp, and I am ok with that. I'm just not sure what the best preamp tubes would be if I go that route, or if it makes a difference. I'm exhausted from reading about tubes, so if anyone here is an expert, just tell me what to buy!

A little background: I play mostly at home, but occasionally jam with friends. I need to be able to play with a very loud drummer at times, which the HRD has no trouble with, and I assume it still won't even with the EL84s. I like to use the drive/more drive on the amp, but I also have a Keeley Blues Driver in front. I have a delay pedal and a looper in the fx loop. I play quiet indie type stuff on up to full-on noise and feedback. At the moment I have just one guitar, a MIM strat.

Thanks!


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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe Tubes
Posted: Fri May 09, 2014 3:37 pm
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Everyone that will post in this thread is an expert and will have all different tube recommendations. :lol: :lol: :lol:

I recommend JJ tubes from https://www.eurotubes.com/cart/index.ph ... gory_id=32

PS: EL84s are not a Fender sound.

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe Tubes
Posted: Fri May 09, 2014 6:48 pm
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Hotrod Deluxe uses 6L6GC's, right? You could try 6V6GT and re-bias. I would not go to EL84's. Not in this amp. Changing the output tubes to another type may not drop the volume as much as you think. If you can get a hold of a pair of JJ 6V6S, you may try this sub. But, don't be surprised if the amp is still loud. That's what they designed the amp to do from the ground, up.

You may want to try a small external cab. With a moderate power spec, moderate efficiency 10-inch. As long as you don't crank the thing full blast.


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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe Tubes
Posted: Fri May 09, 2014 7:19 pm
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If you go with 6V6's you will need to use jj6v6s Regular 6v6s won't take the heat. Check out Eurotubes, they have some great pkgs for the HRD

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe Tubes
Posted: Fri May 09, 2014 8:49 pm
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bluesky636 wrote:
I recommend JJ tubes from https://www.eurotubes.com


I do biz with Eurotubes, I put JJ's in all of my amps. Lov 'em.

If you want to tame the volume put a Volume Box http://www.amazon.com/Carls-Custom-Guit ... B004ZH0PPY in the amps effects loop. I do and it is excellent.....

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe Tubes
Posted: Fri May 09, 2014 10:02 pm
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Well, so far four experts have responded. :lol: :lol: :lol:

BTW, JJ 6V6S and E-H 6V6GT tubes sounded terrible in my Blues Deluxe Reissue from which the Hot Rod Deluxe is derived. :wink:

Stick with 6L6GCs and put a good 12AY7 in V1 or even V2.

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe Tubes
Posted: Fri May 09, 2014 11:14 pm
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Bluesky, do you have some kinda tired 6V6GT's? These sometimes give the desired effect in 6L6GC amps. At least some 6L6GC amps I've recently tried. Seems lower output of 6-7 watts per tube (pushed to this value in weaker tubes) gets the amp into desired tone, than strong testing 6V6GT's.


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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe Tubes
Posted: Fri May 09, 2014 11:53 pm
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
Bluesky, do you have some kinda tired 6V6GT's? These sometimes give the desired effect in 6L6GC amps. At least some 6L6GC amps I've recently tried. Seems lower output of 6-7 watts per tube (pushed to this value in weaker tubes) gets the amp into desired tone, than strong testing 6V6GT's.


Nope. They were new JJs/E-Hs.

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe Tubes
Posted: Sat May 10, 2014 2:54 am
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bluesky636 wrote:
Stick with 6L6GCs and put a good 12AY7 in V1 or even V2.


+1 on the 12AY7's.

You might also try the combination of a 12AY7 in V1 and a 5751 in V2.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe Tubes
Posted: Sat May 10, 2014 7:41 am
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Thanks Experts! I will heed the advice and not go with the Yellow Jacket/EL84 solution. I do have a volume box, which is how I play this amp at home. It works quite well. The amp has also had the logarithmic volume pot mod done prior to my acquiring it.

I'll check out Eurotubes and buy one of the retube kits! I just need to decide if I go 6V6 or 6L6. I don't think dropping to 30W will really reduce the decibels that much, so maybe I'll just stick with what the amp was designed for?


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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe Tubes
Posted: Sat May 10, 2014 8:14 am
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aamm wrote:
Thanks Experts! I will heed the advice and not go with the Yellow Jacket/EL84 solution. I do have a volume box, which is how I play this amp at home. It works quite well. The amp has also had the logarithmic volume pot mod done prior to my acquiring it.

I'll check out Eurotubes and buy one of the retube kits! I just need to decide if I go 6V6 or 6L6. I don't think dropping to 30W will really reduce the decibels that much, so maybe I'll just stick with what the amp was designed for?


The difference in overall loudness between 6V6 and 6L6 tubes is minimal. You will, however, hear an earlier onset of distortion and less bass with 6V6 tubes than with 6L6 type. I did not like the sound of 6V6 tubes in my BDRI at all.

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe Tubes
Posted: Mon May 12, 2014 4:48 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
bluesky636 wrote:
Stick with 6L6GCs and put a good 12AY7 in V1 or even V2.


+1 on the 12AY7's.

You might also try the combination of a 12AY7 in V1 and a 5751 in V2.

Arjay


Will a 12AY7 and 5751 make the drive channel sound better? Besides good lead tone, I want to be able to play open chords that roar, not sound all flabby.

I have my volume problem solved just by using the volume box and plugging into the 2nd Input. I don't know why I have ignored the 2nd input up until now. It drops the volume noticeably.


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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe Tubes
Posted: Mon May 12, 2014 5:43 am
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aamm wrote:
Will a 12AY7 and 5751 make the drive channel sound better? Besides good lead tone, I want to be able to play open chords that roar, not sound all flabby.

I have my volume problem solved just by using the volume box and plugging into the 2nd Input. I don't know why I have ignored the 2nd input up until now. It drops the volume noticeably.


Using a 12AY7 or 5751 in V2 will drop the gain of the drive channel and make it smoother. You will need to try it and decide if it is to your liking.

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe Tubes
Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 8:58 am
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aamm wrote:
Thanks Experts! I will heed the advice and not go with the Yellow Jacket/EL84 solution. I do have a volume box, which is how I play this amp at home. It works quite well. The amp has also had the logarithmic volume pot mod done prior to my acquiring it.

I'll check out Eurotubes and buy one of the retube kits! I just need to decide if I go 6V6 or 6L6. I don't think dropping to 30W will really reduce the decibels that much, so maybe I'll just stick with what the amp was designed for?


Get the gold pinned 12 AX7's and a matched pair of medium hot 6L6's with the JJ anti rattle rings and download the how to video's on how to BIAS the amp and BIAS it yourself. I BIAS mine in line with Fenders speck at about 67 mv but I have had it as hot as 93mv and it sounded great as it does at 67 mv.

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Post subject: Re: Hot Rod Deluxe Tubes
Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 10:10 am
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IHMO, the best new made gold pin 12AX7 is the Russian made Gold Lion B759/ECC83.


http://www.amazon.com/Genalex-Gold-Lion ... +lion+b759


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