EL-34's in a screamer?

Axl H

Axl H

Blowthebloodydoorsoffologist
Hey.


I just had this crazy idea about putting EL-34 tubes in my ENGL Screamer to make it sound more Marshall like..

Any one knows if this is doable?

Its a 5881 amp currently.

And have anyone tried this/Knows what it would sound like?


I am looking for a sound more in this direction:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=WAaeD4CFzK4

He uses a JCM800 2203 as far as I know, and a Kramer Stagemaster with a JB in it (I am getting a Distortion in my Charvel).

Would EL-34's be the direction? Or am I just a nut at eqing?


My EQ is:

Bass: 15.

Mid:12.

Treble/Presence: 12.

Thanks.
 
Re: EL-34's in a screamer?

I don't know enough about the Engl to answer your question, but here is the differences in the two tubes.
The 5881 (originated by Tung-Sol) is a ruggedized, slightly higher rated (23W plate dissipation vs 19W for the 6L6/G/GB) version of the 6L6. (its also known as the 6L6WGB).

Any 6L6WGB, 6L6WGC, 6L6GC will plug right in with little to no mods, save for possible bias tweaks.

The EL34/6CA7 is a completely different animal altogether.

EL34/6CA7 has a different pinout than a 6L6/5881.

EL34/6CA7 have a higher heater current drain than a 6L6/5881 (1.5A for EL34 vs. 900ma for a 6L6/5881)

That said, you MIGHT be able to use EL34/6CA7s in a 6L6 circuit if you:

-Modified the 6L6 socket by jumpering pins 1 and 8 together

-Determined that your power transformer can handle the extra heater load that the EL34 will draw (you can fry a power tranny if you don't heed this caution!)

-Made any bias changes to better accomodate the EL34.

-Changed the screen resistor(s) to better suit the EL34.

Some amps CAN use both tubes; however the circuits were designed to do just that.
 
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Re: EL-34's in a screamer?

So it would be both difficult and expensive to get a tech to do it?
 
Re: EL-34's in a screamer?

AH^DK said:
So it would be both difficult and expensive to get a tech to do it?
Click to expand...

In my opinion, yes.
You would be better off selling your amp, and getting a Marshall-(shameless Marshall plug!)
If you want the Marshall sound, there is only a few ways to get it.
I don't know how much a tech would charge to do it, I know several people have had the mods done, but I still think your better off getting what you want, plus I'm sure the ENGL would lose value in the conversion, or may be harder to sell off later on.
 
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Re: EL-34's in a screamer?

I wont sell it, i like its sound alot, I am just trying a bit more raw sound. I wont sell because I want to be able to play alot of different stuff. :) Just like my guitar teacher says "Versatality is king, one day you play metal, the next Jazz".

Its just the 5881's have this more dark sound, I dunno if a EQ change could do something like that? Any suggestions on Gain/EQ settings?
 
Re: EL-34's in a screamer?

Having a 6L6 amp modded to be able to use EL34's is neither difficult or expensive...that said it's not gonna give your amp a Marshall tone either...
 
Re: EL-34's in a screamer?

I just thought, might it help to crank the poweramp a bit? I tried it, by simply turning the drive channel up to 10, same with master volume, then it just started to buzz loudly, it had fried a preamp tube, dunno if it was because of the volume, how can one really hear the Power-Amp distortion?

I also have a MXR Distortion + on the wishlist for my birthday, would this help a bit to get my tone closer to the clip?
 
Re: EL-34's in a screamer?

I have a JCM900 head that had 5881 tubes. Changed it out to EL34s (and some other mods), I like it much much better. Of course, its difficult to try and compare a JCM900 to an ENGL.

But for the most part, and to answer your question, it is definately doable and wont be expensive.
 
Re: EL-34's in a screamer?

There's quite a bit more to a decent Brittish sound than just putting EL34's in there. :) Not worth the hassle if you ask me.

The best chance you might have without buying a Marshall is try feeding the clean channel a distortion pedal with a Marshallesque voicing. Then your amp will be stock when you sell it and you'll still have a nice pedal that could come in handy. :)
 
Re: EL-34's in a screamer?

V!N said:
There's quite a bit more to a decent Brittish sound than just putting EL34's in there. :) Not worth the hassle if you ask me.

The best chance you might have without buying a Marshall is try feeding the clean channel a distortion pedal with a Marshallesque voicing. Then your amp will be stock when you sell it and you'll still have a nice pedal that could come in handy. :)
Click to expand...
I have a modified Jackhammer which sounds VERY jcm800ish, but I just havent really figured out how to EQ it properly to get that raunchy raw sound with lots of highs..

Would cranking the 5881s help? And what would anyone of you suggest as to EQ and gain level in the amp?


Invented Fire -> Well I dunno, perhaps a more bright sound.
 
Re: EL-34's in a screamer?

If you have a Screamer just keep the Screamer as it is, there are plenty of other ways to tinker with the tone. Pickups and guitar type for starters! Use one of the crunch channels (not the lead channel) and use slightly less of the amp distortion with a good vintage style distortion pedal to crank it into the territory you want.

Then with guitars you should use more vintage type Alnico magnet pickups like lower output more open sounding pickups like a Pearly Gates or an Alnico Pro 2. That would give you more of that kind of sound you're looking for. I for one have an ENGL Savage 120 but I use a Les Paul with Burst Bucker Pros in it which are vintage voiced alnico 5 pickups, not high output at all, and with the modern high gain from the amp it makes for a very cool old school crunchy metal sound. I'd really suggest trying that!
 
Re: EL-34's in a screamer?

Also use a bit less bass in your EQ, lots more mids than you're probably using and a bit more treble. I typically have mine set with bass low on nothing over about 11 o'clock, then mids and treble up around the 3 o'clock mark. Try that on the high gain channel with more vintage style pickups...I rekon that'll do the trick. Don't change the amp, that's a good amp and you should be able to find that sound you're looking for in there somewhere.
 
Re: EL-34's in a screamer?

Okay nice, but its not all vintage sound, its that nice high gain marshall 80s sound, dont you think soft lead would be good perhaps?

But thanks :)
 
Re: EL-34's in a screamer?

Nah if anything you want a more rough lead sound I think, then put some nice delay on it and WHAM!

The Savage and the Screamer are different amps though so maybe it wouldn't be the same as on mine.
 
Re: EL-34's in a screamer?

Young Angus said:
Nah if anything you want a more rough lead sound I think, then put some nice delay on it and WHAM!

The Savage and the Screamer are different amps though so maybe it wouldn't be the same as on mine.
Click to expand...

Good news, turning down the bass, gain and uppin gthe treble presence and mids helped alot, actually sounds alot like Matthias Jabs tone on Rock You Like A Hurricane.

Thanks to everyone :)
 
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