hotrodding a marshall 6100

[shark]

hello,

I have a little question about hotrodding a marshall 6100. the other guitarist in my band plays one, but it's lacking a little bit gain.... this is in comparison to my engl powerball. we play deathmetal, and he was wondering if he'd put 6l6 's in it, would this give him some extra metalpower ( for the lack of a better word :biglaugh? Or should he consider selling his head and buying something else?

 

[Reckless Abandon]

Re: hotrodding a marshall 6100

No the 6L6's will not give him what he wants. If you want more gain use an od in front or get another amp, JCM 2000 or the JVM

 

[WhoFan]

Re: hotrodding a marshall 6100

higher output pickups may help minorly as well

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: hotrodding a marshall 6100

I don't think the power tubes are interchangeable on that amp....the 6100 came with either EL-34 or 6L6, but you have to stick with the ones that the amp is supposed to use.

The thing that will have the most effect on preamp gain is the first preamp tube....and ideally replace all of them.
I've found that the Groove Tube 12AX7C is the best tube for amps like that, and also what Bogners ship with. It also comes in the unlabeled version
Shuguang 12AX7C for less money than GT charges. Look up Shuguang 12AX7 on Ebay to find the best deals on them.

Tubes will only tighten up the sound and make it like new again, but it won't guarantee a lot of additional gain. He'd be better off buying a good quality OD pedal, and either leaving it on all the time, or just for solos.

I don't recommend anyone modding a 30th Ann 6100 amp, because it's a very complex amp that must be biased perfectly and well maintained. They're known to overheat, melting the plastic vent on top, and modding it may destabilize the circuit and create problems. Just buy a Fulltone OCD or something similar. It's also be a good idea to have a tech check the bias as well, because it could be running cold. 6100's typically have plenty of gain.

 

[shark]

Re: hotrodding a marshall 6100

thx for the info.

maybe it's time he replaced the tubes, since they 're about 3 or 4 years old... I remember it had a good sound a few years back, but it somehow disappeared..... or it could be that my ears where used to hearing my old marshall mg100 and were just suprised how a real amp can sound

but I 'll tell him what you 've told me...

thanks guys

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: hotrodding a marshall 6100

If those tubes are more than 3 years old with regular use, it's definitely time for a set of new tubes and having it biased. I'd recommend buying the tubes wholesale from a store on Ebay, such as my friend Todd. www.revolutionguitar.com Then, pay a tech $30 to bias it with a meter.
If you just take it in, they'll sell you tubes at full retail + the bias fee.

I'd recommend JJ EL-34's and 12AX7's rated for highgain. GT12AX7C for the 1st and 2'nd position, then whatever for the other positions. I know that amp has a ton of pre tubes.

You'll probably be amazed at how much better it'll sound with a full tuneup.

 

[newking70]

Re: hotrodding a marshall 6100

Or should he consider selling his head and buying something else?

sell it, you can't polish a turd :28:

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: hotrodding a marshall 6100

The 6100 is a great sounding Marshall, but it's a very complex amp. It's got a ton of circuitry. I had a friend that owned one, and he always said that it's an amp that's got to be run with fresh tubes and a perfect bias, then it's fine.

The people that had problems with it let the bias drift off, and if it gets too hot, it'll fry something inside and even warp the plastic vent on top. It's a sensitive Marshall, unlike most Marshalls. You have to maintain it well, and then it'll sound perfect.

 

[Fast Freddy]

Re: hotrodding a marshall 6100

yoyoyooyoyo,

alright, I am the other guitarist in his band and I have to rectify something.

I have the 6100LM version, its the version with the 5881 tubes wich are almost idenctical as 6L6???

And when I bought the amp, two of the powertubes didnt light up as much as the rest, espacialy one of them, could it be it was biased cold???
I dont think they are too hot cause the plastic grill is still alive and kicking but I sometimes have some problems with the channel switching, but after a reset of the amp its normal fixed, the technician shall have to take a look at that too.