EH 6ca7

[Sral68]

Hi!

I want to experiment a bit with the tubes in my amp without going the nos route. How would the EH Ga7 work in a EVH context? Rockstah seems to prefeer the JJ el 34.

I've read Georges summary og the 6ca7. It seems to say that they are clean and have great headroom. From what I've read here. EVH used these outputtubes.

The more I read about output tubes, the more confues I get.

My amp is a Metro 12k. The tubes are the Mullards that came with the kit.

[Doug H]

I find all EH tubes have a scratchy top end, these were no exception, it did seem to smooth out some with time though, maybe that was just me getting over my prejudice . I'm no tube officinado though. They were a neat twist, I feel I can hear the EV tone in them, but there are better 6ca7s out there I'm sure.

[Doug H]

oddly enough, I just picked up a single with the hopes it would match the one I have after I fried one of mine. It does and they sound awesome lol.

[Sral68]

Ok.

So what youre saying is theyre worth a shot?

What preamp tubes and wich amp do you use?

[Doug H]

oh, I can't say, I've only tried a few different tubes.

super bass plexi style circuit
V1 Tung sol, v2, v3 mullard RI

[Tone Slinger]

I'm building a metro 12xxx series at the moment. I ordered mine with the EH el-34's because Awangotango said those were real good, and word is that they have the best and earliest break up, combined with long life.

At the same time, I'm also sitting on a quad of EH 6ca7's. I had 2 of them in a 800 series 50 watter, but didnt push them hard. I remember them having a more open articulate sound.

I assume that a fully cranked or attenuated 100 watt super lead circuit wouldnt distort as much with the 6ca7, BUT, if bumped with a eq box or a hair bit of v1 mv gain, then the results would be very similar to el-34 except with a clearer, tighter tone with more headroom.

I think the 6ca7 sounds like a bigger el34 with ALOT of 6l6 type tone, due to it's interior construction.

I am still curious though. The big hitters here on the forums do not use them, though they have tried them.

[demonufo]

I haven't tried any NOS stock GE or Sylvania 6CA7's simply because of price and availability.

All EH power tubes I've ever tried weren't very impressive and died an early death.

[Sral68]

Thanks for the replyes.

I might have to research this a bit more it sees.

[Doug H]

I've got a 10 band for those VH moods, so I can dial in all the mids I need.

[Tone Slinger]

Exactly, though the 1959 circuit really browns out good (mids) when being pushed, regardless of the tube type, still, el-34 is gonna be a little smoother and middy.

I've decided to complete my 12xxx with the 6ca7's first, because I got the voltage switching power tranny, and will be probably riding the lower 'virtual variac' 400 volt setting most of the time. I reckon that an el-34 wouldnt be tight and 'present' enough when pushed with this setting, as well as not have quite enough headroom. If the 6ca7 doesnt clip and saturate quite as much, then I can use a eq box in the front (I got the blue 6 band and the boss ge-10).

Matthias Jabs of the Scorpions also used 6ca7's in his '78 jmp 50 watter, along with a 4/12 25 watt celestion speaker loaded cab. He used a load called a 'transformer Killer' I think. Essentially a early attenuator. I read this in '87.

My theory is that the 6ca7's will hold up better and tighter with more attack, as compared to an el-34, as well as having more headroom.