AC15 vs. Lightning?
- Thread starter Rich_S
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Rich_S
HomeGrownToneBrewologist
Re: AC15 vs. Lightning?
Yes, the EF86 is a 9-pin preamp tube, but it's a pentode, rather than a dual triode. They're a bit pricier than a 12AX7, but it's not that much compared to a whole amp.
Old EF86's had problems with microphonics - a pentode involves an awful lot of little bits & pieces to cram into a 9-pin bottle. However, it seems that modern manufacturers have sorted that out, and it is now possible to buy reliable non-microphonic EF86s.
Dave Hunter has great things to say about the AC15, and if you stick to the normal channel only, it's a super-easy build.
Yes, the EF86 is a 9-pin preamp tube, but it's a pentode, rather than a dual triode. They're a bit pricier than a 12AX7, but it's not that much compared to a whole amp.
Old EF86's had problems with microphonics - a pentode involves an awful lot of little bits & pieces to cram into a 9-pin bottle. However, it seems that modern manufacturers have sorted that out, and it is now possible to buy reliable non-microphonic EF86s.
Dave Hunter has great things to say about the AC15, and if you stick to the normal channel only, it's a super-easy build.
James Rock
Active member
Re: AC15 vs. Lightning?
I would rather have both (like Dc-30 style etc) but I would go the 12AX7 route if I had to choose.
I would rather have both (like Dc-30 style etc) but I would go the 12AX7 route if I had to choose.
J Moose
New member
Re: AC15 vs. Lightning?
As a 1x12 combo the Lighting is bigger & fuller sounding... more usable IMO then the last few AC15's I played which had spiky upper mids, not even the new MIC ones...
I will confess a sweet spot for the early '90s AC15 2x10 reissues... Those are great.
The Lighting is a great amp though. Takes pedals really well too.
As a 1x12 combo the Lighting is bigger & fuller sounding... more usable IMO then the last few AC15's I played which had spiky upper mids, not even the new MIC ones...
I will confess a sweet spot for the early '90s AC15 2x10 reissues... Those are great.
The Lighting is a great amp though. Takes pedals really well too.
Rich_S
HomeGrownToneBrewologist
Re: AC15 vs. Lightning?
How does the Lightning compare to the 18 Watter I already have? Overall lower gain?(Which in my book gives the impression of more headroom, even though it doesn't really, since they both have an 18-watt outoput stage).
My 18 Watter is a Lite II, meaning I have a choice of single- or parallel-triode inputs. Seems to me like the Lightning is going to be very similar. Am I wrong on this?
If I'm going to build a second 2xEL84 amp, I want to to be something different from what I have. (Well, not so different that it sux.) I just thought the AC15, with its EF86 input and its output-stage "cut" control (instead of preamp tone) would be a nice contrast.
In a perfect world, I'd build it with both types on inputs, ala the 65 London (drool), but this is a down-and-dirty conversion project. The donor amp is punched for (and has a PS section designed for) one preamp tube, so I need to decide which way to go.
How does the Lightning compare to the 18 Watter I already have? Overall lower gain?(Which in my book gives the impression of more headroom, even though it doesn't really, since they both have an 18-watt outoput stage).
My 18 Watter is a Lite II, meaning I have a choice of single- or parallel-triode inputs. Seems to me like the Lightning is going to be very similar. Am I wrong on this?
If I'm going to build a second 2xEL84 amp, I want to to be something different from what I have. (Well, not so different that it sux.) I just thought the AC15, with its EF86 input and its output-stage "cut" control (instead of preamp tone) would be a nice contrast.
In a perfect world, I'd build it with both types on inputs, ala the 65 London (drool), but this is a down-and-dirty conversion project. The donor amp is punched for (and has a PS section designed for) one preamp tube, so I need to decide which way to go.
James Rock
Active member
Re: AC15 vs. Lightning?
Well seeming you have the 18 watter (thats got a 12AX7 preamp right?) then maybe the AC15 design (EF86 preamp + cut control) would be a contrast while being similar and together you should be able to get any el84 tone you could want.
Well seeming you have the 18 watter (thats got a 12AX7 preamp right?) then maybe the AC15 design (EF86 preamp + cut control) would be a contrast while being similar and together you should be able to get any el84 tone you could want.
