A 6V6 that sounds similar to an EL34?
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- Littlewyan
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A 6V6 that sounds similar to an EL34?
I built myself a 6V6 Marshall 2204 and am quite happy with it, but obviously I do wonder how different it would sound with EL34s. I understand that a 6V6 is a completely different kettle of fish to an EL34 but has anyone ever come across a 6V6 that sounds similar?
I'm using JJ 6V6s in it at the moment and I do recall that when I tried these in my Trainwreck Express they sounded quite mid scooped compared to the EL34s. I also very vaguely recall EH 6V6s sounding slightly similar to EL34s but it was too long ago to remember for sure.
I'm using JJ 6V6s in it at the moment and I do recall that when I tried these in my Trainwreck Express they sounded quite mid scooped compared to the EL34s. I also very vaguely recall EH 6V6s sounding slightly similar to EL34s but it was too long ago to remember for sure.
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Re: A 6V6 that sounds similar to an EL34?
They can tone wise sound very exactly the same ,but play / feel wise they are different !
A 6V6 and many other tubes being a beam tetrode for lack of a better word rev's up fast when drivin with a signal, a 34 and a 84 are pentode type tubes and need less drive sign for a given output than a beam type tube.
In short a Pentode tube has a smoother dynamic range so to speak!
A 6V6 and many other tubes being a beam tetrode for lack of a better word rev's up fast when drivin with a signal, a 34 and a 84 are pentode type tubes and need less drive sign for a given output than a beam type tube.
In short a Pentode tube has a smoother dynamic range so to speak!
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Re: A 6V6 that sounds similar to an EL34?
I love the overdriven sound from an el34/ el84 tube . It seems to sound tighter and more focused than any 6L6/6v6 tube.
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- Littlewyan
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Re: A 6V6 that sounds similar to an EL34?
Hmm maybe that's why the 6V6s sound slightly harsher. It's not a bad sound at all, just different. I was going to try biasing it a bit hotter to see if I can make it saturate a bit better.
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Re: A 6V6 that sounds similar to an EL34?
I've always felt that JJ6v6s were much more EL34 like then a NOS 6v6, i.e. typical 6v6 tone. I think harsh and scooped are pretty accurate descriptors, but not always in a bad way. I actually prefer them in high gain 6v6 amps, but still use NOS in fender circuits.
- Littlewyan
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Re: A 6V6 that sounds similar to an EL34?
Really? What about the Tung Sol 6V6 or TAD 6V6GT-STR?
I think it also depends on how you set the amp up. I'm running 8K Impedance with 390V on the plates.
I think it also depends on how you set the amp up. I'm running 8K Impedance with 390V on the plates.
Re: A 6V6 that sounds similar to an EL34?
Stevem wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2017 12:18 pm ... A 6V6 and many other tubes being a beam tetrode for lack of a better word rev's up fast when drivin with a signal, a 34 and a 84 are pentode type tubes and need less drive sign for a given output than a beam type tube.
In short a Pentode tube has a smoother dynamic range so to speak!
A JJ6V6S is not like other 6V6s. A JJ6V6S is a proper pentode.studiodunn wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2017 5:02 pmI've always felt that JJ6v6s were much more EL34 like then a NOS 6v6, i.e. typical 6v6 tone...
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- martin manning
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Re: A 6V6 that sounds similar to an EL34?
JJ says beam power pentode: http://www.jj-electronic.com/en/6v6s
Re: A 6V6 that sounds similar to an EL34?
Yes I take that back - on close inspection, it appears to have a 'suppressor plate' between the screen and the plate (LoL). Looking at the bottom of the lower mica spacer, Pin 8 is connected to this suppressor plate . There is a jumper from the suppressor to the cathode.tubeswell wrote: ↑Wed Oct 11, 2017 7:05 pmStevem wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2017 12:18 pm ... A 6V6 and many other tubes being a beam tetrode for lack of a better word rev's up fast when drivin with a signal, a 34 and a 84 are pentode type tubes and need less drive sign for a given output than a beam type tube.
In short a Pentode tube has a smoother dynamic range so to speak!A JJ6V6S is not like other 6V6s. A JJ6V6S is a proper pentode.studiodunn wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2017 5:02 pmI've always felt that JJ6v6s were much more EL34 like then a NOS 6v6, i.e. typical 6v6 tone...
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Re: A 6V6 that sounds similar to an EL34?
Just to compound the potential confusion:
GE's datasheet for the 6V6GT describes the tube as a 'beam pentode', and shows a schematic for a true pentode as well:
http://www.radiostation.ru/tubes/6V6GT-GE.pdf
As does their 6V6GTA datasheet (but the plate dissipation is given as 14W)
https://frank.pocnet.net/sheets/135/6/6V6GTA.pdf
New Sensor's datasheet for the 'Tung Sol' 6V6 describes a 'beam pentode' and shows a true pentode schematic:
https://www.newsensor.com/pdf/tungsol/6v6gt-tungsol.pdf
The original Tung Sol datasheet describes the tube as a 'beam power amplifier' and shows a beam tetrode schematic:
https://frank.pocnet.net/sheets/127/6/6V6.pdf
The RCA 6V6GT data sheet describes a "Beam Power Tube' and shows a beam pentode schematic:
https://frank.pocnet.net/sheets/049/6/6V6.pdf
GE's datasheet for the 6V6GT describes the tube as a 'beam pentode', and shows a schematic for a true pentode as well:
http://www.radiostation.ru/tubes/6V6GT-GE.pdf
As does their 6V6GTA datasheet (but the plate dissipation is given as 14W)
https://frank.pocnet.net/sheets/135/6/6V6GTA.pdf
New Sensor's datasheet for the 'Tung Sol' 6V6 describes a 'beam pentode' and shows a true pentode schematic:
https://www.newsensor.com/pdf/tungsol/6v6gt-tungsol.pdf
The original Tung Sol datasheet describes the tube as a 'beam power amplifier' and shows a beam tetrode schematic:
https://frank.pocnet.net/sheets/127/6/6V6.pdf
The RCA 6V6GT data sheet describes a "Beam Power Tube' and shows a beam pentode schematic:
https://frank.pocnet.net/sheets/049/6/6V6.pdf
Last edited by tubeswell on Wed Oct 11, 2017 9:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: A 6V6 that sounds similar to an EL34?
studiodunn wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2017 5:02 pm I've always felt that JJ6v6s were much more EL34 like then a NOS 6v6, i.e. typical 6v6 tone. I think harsh and scooped are pretty accurate descriptors, but not always in a bad way. I actually prefer them in high gain 6v6 amps, but still use NOS in fender circuits.
The devil is in the decimal..........I was only referring to JJ6v6's, not JJ6v6S.
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- martin manning
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Re: A 6V6 that sounds similar to an EL34?
Very few data sheets use a different diagram for beam types vs. true pentodes, at least not lately. Note RCA's 6V6GT (linked above) shows a pentode diagram with a suppressor grid. JJ only makes 6V6S; no 6V6 AFAIK.
- Littlewyan
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Re: A 6V6 that sounds similar to an EL34?
One thing I just thought of is I haven't upped the screen grid resistors at all. So as the 6V6s draw less screen current there will be less screen sag. Perhaps increasing this will bring the amp a bit closer in line with EL34s?
Re: A 6V6 that sounds similar to an EL34?
I've used 2.2k/3w screen resistors on 6V6's on several amps and like the way they sound. I think there is a slightly more compressed tone.
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Re: A 6V6 that sounds similar to an EL34?
Why big 3 waters?
When I die, I want to go like my Grandfather did, peacefully in his sleep.
Not screaming like the passengers in his car!
Cutting out a man's tongue does not mean he’s a liar, but it does show that you fear the truth he might speak about you!
Not screaming like the passengers in his car!
Cutting out a man's tongue does not mean he’s a liar, but it does show that you fear the truth he might speak about you!