Now that I'm back in recording mode again, a quick inspection of my amplifiers showed that a couple needed some TLC, particularly my Lil Dawg Champster, which had developed a hum and I suspected that v1 was shot. I purchased the Champster 4-5 years ago and it's a great Champ circuit guitar head for a not a lot of money. (I think I paid $600 in total for the head). Having just 3 valves, I was able to upgrade the 6V6 to something a bit more esoteric, and I grabbed an NOS mid 50s/60s Sylvania 6V6. It's physically smaller than the JJ that shipped with the amp and I was excited to try a period-accurate valve in there.
The sound is definitely different! The output is a bit lower (6dB I would guess) compared to the JJ, but that's what the volume control is for. Exchanging the JJ in V1 for a modern Mullard further darkened the tone a bit and gave the amp a warmer/darker, overall tone, but still has plenty of clarity. Pushed into drive with an MXR distortion+, with a Marshall 2x12 loaded with Eminence Wizards, this amp is L O U D on its own and really dynamic.
Since I don't like squeaky clean guitar parts, even when playing 'clean', I really like the tone of the Sylvania 6V6. Adding in a few modulation options for recording (strymon DECO, MXR script Phase 90, MXR Micro Flange, BOSS RT-20), and using my HS-3 loaded Strat, the sound took on a distinctly 70s style sound.
Overall, I'm very pleased with the upgrade.
The sound is definitely different! The output is a bit lower (6dB I would guess) compared to the JJ, but that's what the volume control is for. Exchanging the JJ in V1 for a modern Mullard further darkened the tone a bit and gave the amp a warmer/darker, overall tone, but still has plenty of clarity. Pushed into drive with an MXR distortion+, with a Marshall 2x12 loaded with Eminence Wizards, this amp is L O U D on its own and really dynamic.
Since I don't like squeaky clean guitar parts, even when playing 'clean', I really like the tone of the Sylvania 6V6. Adding in a few modulation options for recording (strymon DECO, MXR script Phase 90, MXR Micro Flange, BOSS RT-20), and using my HS-3 loaded Strat, the sound took on a distinctly 70s style sound.
Overall, I'm very pleased with the upgrade.
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