HarpNinja
1703 posts
Sep 24, 2011
2:13 PM
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See title. Specifically, I want to try a new tube in place of the Sovtek 5881 I have in my VHT Special 6. This amp has been regulated to OMB (One Man Band) work. I think the Eminence Ramrod is tough enough to put up with beatboxing/bass lines sang through a POG2. I guess the stock speaker, which is a flat response might be better?
I figured I'd check out tubes as it is a cheaper move. I can wait on a speaker.
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
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LSC
94 posts
Sep 24, 2011
7:35 PM
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NOS RCA Grey Plate
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LSC
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dougharps
100 posts
Sep 24, 2011
8:14 PM
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You want less power, less bottom, more midrange, earlier breakup/compression?
I am not familiar with the circuit of the VHT Special 6, and only have a very modest grasp of tube amp circuits. Are you rebiasing the amp to go to a 6V6? This wouldn't just be a preamp tube substitution, this is swapping power tubes.
I have read that the sockets will work if you switch 6L6 and 6V6, but does this circuit allow such a major change of power tube without rebiasing?
EDIT: So it originally came with a 6V6 and you subbed a 5881???
EDIT again: Cathode biased output stage that allows tube substitutions! Damn, if I didn't already have too many amps, I would want to buy one of these!
Sorry for the distraction, please continue the thread as though I never posted to it!
:)
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Doug S.
Last Edited by on Sep 24, 2011 8:37 PM
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Kingley
1658 posts
Sep 25, 2011
12:53 AM
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The stock tube sounds fine to me. If I was going to change it though. I'd probably put a JJ 6V6 in there.
Mike - By "dirty blues harp" do you mean a overdriven champ type sound? If so then the VHT will achieve this sound very easily. Just crank it up.
Last Edited by on Sep 25, 2011 1:00 AM
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sammyharp
125 posts
Sep 25, 2011
1:54 AM
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I agree with LSC. NOS RCA 6v6 has to my ears the best sound. I'm playing a modded fender champ 600, though. It really depends on the amp and the preamp tube, but those old tubes have another dimension to the sound as compared any of the new ones on the market. If you want to get the sound to break up a bit more, go with a JJ, though. The preamp tubes will probably make more of a difference. some old NOS ecc83 tubes will most likely make it sound crunchier and thicker. It's worth it to play around with different tube configurations, it's quite amazing how big a difference it can make.
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LIP RIPPER
500 posts
Sep 25, 2011
3:41 AM
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Yes on the RCA. I lost mine recently and I miss it. I was using it in my hand wired Champ.
Ted Weber signature series speakers. 3 cones to choose from.
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Joe_L
1470 posts
Sep 25, 2011
10:55 AM
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Consider trying a different microphone, preferably something thats a little easier to overdrive. Something like a bullet. One of those dirt cheap Astatic JT30RH's sound good with a Champ-style amp. I'm able to get some good old school tone out of that mic with a Champ clone.
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The Blues Photo Gallery
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Matzen
325 posts
Sep 25, 2011
1:24 PM
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I've got a JJ6V6S and a JAN5751 in my VHT. I play with a vintage Greean Bullet and really dig the tone. On another note, I 've heard nothing but good things about the RCA's.
I also recently removed that pesky metal screen in the back of the amp. Now I don't have to take that back of to switch out tubes!
@sammyharp: Are ECC83's just military grade 12AX7's?
@tmf714: Just curious... what makes you put the TUNG-SOL 6V6GT on the top of your list? Or, how is it different than JJ6V6S? I ask, 'cuz I've never used one.
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Last Edited by on Sep 25, 2011 1:53 PM
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HarpNinja
1704 posts
Sep 25, 2011
1:37 PM
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I went ahead and ordered a Tung-Sol. Changing mics isn't happening, so this is a good compromise. I need to use a mic that sounds good for beatboxing too.
Thanks!
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
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5F6H
848 posts
Sep 25, 2011
2:32 PM
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Matzen, JJ tubes are made in Slovakia and ECC83 is just the Euro designation for a 12AX7 (US nomanclature for a ECC83).
Mil spec, low noise 12AX7s are sometimes referred to as 7025 (you often see this designation on old Fender schems in noise sensitive positions), but 7025 made today are usually just ECC83/12AX7 screened for gain & microphonics.
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www.myspace.com/markburness
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tmf714
804 posts
Sep 25, 2011
5:56 PM
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@Matzen-The Tung-Sol's sound great-low noise floor-no microphonics-it's rugged-what else could you want?
Oh-they are priced more resonably than the RCA.
As far as JJ comparisons-it is not as loud,but has less midrange-ideal for harp.
Last Edited by on Sep 25, 2011 5:59 PM
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HarpNinja
1706 posts
Sep 26, 2011
6:05 AM
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I forgot to mention I have tried the amp with a JJ and the stock tube as well. I generally love the JJ's, but for this application, I don't need that sounds.
Well, maybe I do, but I feel like experimenting, lol. I have decided to keep my HG50 1210, even if I am not using it much, and will probably just pick up a small tweedy kinda amp eventually.
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
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5F6H
849 posts
Sep 26, 2011
7:25 AM
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Both the Shuguang (Chinese 6V6, Weber VST sell them, so do TAD) and the EH6V6 are more compressed, lower fi than the JJ.
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www.myspace.com/markburness
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Matzen
328 posts
Sep 26, 2011
9:28 AM
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When you guys are talking about the TUNG-SOL 6V6GT being a good tube, are you talking about NOS American made or the new Russian ones?
Aren't Tung-Sol, and Elecrtic Harmonix both made by Sovtek now?
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Last Edited by on Sep 26, 2011 9:30 AM
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