Sounclips Plexi with EL34, 6CA7 and 6L6

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sixpakldp
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Sounclips Plexi with EL34, 6CA7 and 6L6

Post by sixpakldp » Fri Jan 02, 2015 12:35 pm

I took the day off today from work and had some time between my honey do list and other household tasks. I wanted to record some brief clips of my Metroamp Plexi with a quad of Tung Sol EL34 B, Electro Harmonix 6CA7 and Groove Tubes 6L6 GE.

Each clip progresses in that order and I tried to record chords on both the bridge and neck, a few single notes at the 5th fret using both pickups and then again at the 12th fret.

I apologize for the noise, I had the head case off while recording so I could swap between tubes and bias.

Amp settings for all were: Presesnce 7, Bass 5, Middle 8, Treble 9, Volume 8.5. 120V setting and I have a shared/split cathode switch which was set to split. Pre amp tubes are V1 RCA 7025, V2 Sylvania JAN 12AX7WA, V3 RCA 7025.

Guitar is a 2003 Les Paul with WCR Cherry Buckers. Speakers are Celestion EVH in a 1960 A with checkered grill cloth.

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danman
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Re: Sounclips Plexi with EL34, 6CA7 and 6L6

Post by danman » Sat Jan 03, 2015 11:44 am

Nice job! I thought that the EL34's sounded fuller and more complex.

sixpakldp
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Re: Sounclips Plexi with EL34, 6CA7 and 6L6

Post by sixpakldp » Sun Jan 04, 2015 9:36 am

Thanks. What I have learned is that really no matter what power tube you select, the general character of the amp will remain the same. The most noticeable differences are how much headroom was available and the shift in the mid range frequencies. But at the end of the day it still sounds like my amp even with 6L6's. I think the take away here is that power tubes are really expensive and can be used to fine tune your tone and perfect it. You are not going to greatly alter the character of an amp by just swapping power tubes. For me I have found that the culmination of adjusting the coupling caps, negative feedback loop, phase inverter cap,preamp tubes and speakers, tone stack and split/shared cathode and then selecting power tubes is really what drives change in tone. And so far what sounds good to me is still a 68 circuit close to VH specs with NOS pre amp tubes, el34 power tubes, 25 watt greenback speakers. I did however add a split/shared cathode switch which I highly recommend. It almost is like a "fat" switch and is really nice to have.

jnew
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Re: Sounclips Plexi with EL34, 6CA7 and 6L6

Post by jnew » Sat Jan 10, 2015 3:52 pm

Interesting comparisons. Were they biased after installation? The EL-34's did sound fuller with a little more compression while the 6CA7's displayed slightly more clean headroom. 6L6's sounded the hardest (not necessarily a bad thing).
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sixpakldp
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Re: Sounclips Plexi with EL34, 6CA7 and 6L6

Post by sixpakldp » Sat Jan 10, 2015 5:41 pm

Yes, the el34's were about 35 mA, 6CA7 37 mA and 6L6 around 42. Part of the reason I recorded them was so I wasn't confused by being in the room and feeling the tubes and how they react when you dig in. I wanted to hear them mic'ed up. When I bought the 6CA7 I couldn't find any clips online so hopefully this helps others in their decisions. The 6L6 are out of my Fender Twin but because the 6CA7 are supposed to be like a 6L6 that biases like an EL34 I figured this would show if that blend is 50/50, 20/80 or 80/20 soundwise. Pretty close to 50/50 if you ask me.

jnew
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Re: Sounclips Plexi with EL34, 6CA7 and 6L6

Post by jnew » Sat Jan 10, 2015 5:47 pm

Really? I think this forum has lots 6CA7 clips. In fact, all my clips are of my amps using 6CA7's. :what:

Either way, was still a cool comparison. :wink:
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