Header Graphic
Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! > premier 120 amp tube swap
premier 120 amp  tube swap
Login  |  Register
Page: 1

528hemi
453 posts
Sep 09, 2015
4:20 PM
Hi,

I have a premier 120 with the following tubes. 2-6v6, 2-6sL7, 1-12at7 assuming for tremolo,1-6sc7, 1-5y3

I assume the 6sc7 is the preamp tube. I am not sure what the 2-6sL7's are for unless they are also for the tremolo circuit.

That said can the 6sc7 be swapped for another tube to lower the gain?

Thanks,
528hemi
Barley Nectar
910 posts
Sep 09, 2015
11:28 PM
Nope, no suitable sub.
1847
2739 posts
Sep 10, 2015
7:23 AM
found this on the web...


Since the 6SC7 is a dual-triode tube, you may want to also try some “modern day” 9-pin equivalents. There is a converter manufactured by Groove Tubes called a Substi-Tube that will plug into the 8-pin preamp tube sockets on the amp and give you the ability to try some of the more common 9-pin preamp tubes available today. The closest of the most common tubes today in terms of amplification factor is the 12AT7, so you may want to start there. If you’d like more gain, you can move up to a 12AX7. Less gain would be a 12AY7. Remember also that there are two 6SC7s in the amp. One is the preamp for the inputs and the other is the phase inverter that drives the output tubes. Different substitutions in each of those two locations will yield different results, so try as many combinations as you wish.
Harpaholic
777 posts
Sep 10, 2015
10:08 AM
The Premier 120 is a bad ass harp amp as is! I own one with the same Tube layout and had another in the past. Ran them both stock, no issues with too much gain.
The only issues with too much gain on any 50's-60's Premiers are the Bass Club models or any model that run a high gain EF86/6267 preamp.

Has the amp been serviced or is it original?
If not it should be!

Depending on the speaker, you may want to upgrade.
The first 120 I owned had a smooth cone Rola, and did break up too early.

I'm running a Cannabis Rex in my current 120, perfect match for this amp.
The stock speaker is too weak to use without a recone.

Last Edited by Harpaholic on Sep 10, 2015 10:24 AM
528hemi
454 posts
Sep 10, 2015
6:58 PM
Thanks guys...The amp was fully serviced and ready for 20 years of service. The guy that serviced it is an expert and does awesome work. With a strong black label controlled reluctance for best results I have to run through instrument 1,2, or 3 volume knob on about 8 out of 10 and turn my VC on the mic to about 25 percent. If I turn the amp vol down and turn up the VC on the mic way lower output vol and very overdriven...

I just picked up another premier 120 with chassis mount on top verses the bottom in the first amp. That one has 6v6's and 3-12ax7 and through the mic channel with same black label I can keep the vc on the mic at 90 percent and vol on the amp about 50 percent and the amp has harp drippin tone.....Both have original speaker. The first amp is much more sensitive to feedback.

I might go back to my tech with both amps for him to compare... that said the premier 120's are unbelievable good harp amps. I also have a multivox combo bass amp which is great and a kalamazoo also awesome. Ive owned many and the right premier shines for my taste.


Post a Message



(8192 Characters Left)


Modern Blues Harmonica supports

§The Jazz Foundation of America

and

§The Innocence Project

 

 

 

ADAM GUSSOW is an official endorser for HOHNER HARMONICAS