So heres the deal, my peavey is in the shop right now, and the amp tech can do any mods to it i want...but i definitely have a budget, so i want to stick to only changing the tubes... to any tubes i want and any brand... i particularely hate the "core" sound it gives me, super harsh high end, fizzyness and lack of warmth and character, im looking for a smoother distortion overall with a good balance and lots of low mids so it sounds sorta thick... also my solos i want to sound overall smoother, but still enough cut... what tubes? been thinking maybe jj 6l6 but i really dont know what to pick... If someone could point me out some good brands and good options id be very thankful!
How to make my peavey 6534+ smoother?
- Thread starter Chazzy
- Start date
Rockstar216
New member
Re: How to make my peavey 6534+ smoother?
You want new/different speakers.
You want new/different speakers.
Edgecrusher
Well-known member
Re: How to make my peavey 6534+ smoother?
Not really. IF you are talking about real vintage Sylvania 6CA7's then sure they have more headroom than an EL34 but definitely nothing like a KT88. If you are talking about modern tubes from JJ or the likes that are labeled 6CA7 then fuggetboutit. ALL 6CA7's on the market currently are rebottled 6L6's and none of them share the unique getter arrangement of a 6CA7. Modern ones for all intents and purposes are higher power 6L6's
At the end of the day he isnt changing the circuit and the circuit has a larger bearing on the sound of the amp then the labels on the tubes do.
As for what tubes to buy unless there is a reason just get a new good set of EL34s, Dont try to go mad scientist without a clear objective. A new set of the Mullard EL34's will work great. Many like the JJ's I dont but you might its just a preference thing.
My best suggestion is for 12ax7's and that is get a mix of brands. Get a sovtek LPS get a mullard reissue, get a chinese, get a JJ, get an EH, Then you can move them around in your tube slots and figure out what works best where. Some of the tubes are not gain stages and are just drivers and less picky for what tube is in them. This way you can sample the different flavors and figure out which you like in what slot.
If i was going to mod a 6534 I would add a smoothing choke to it. It will help a little with the fizziness but mostly will help with the bottom end holding together... though Rockstars suggestion of new speakers is excellent.
Not really. IF you are talking about real vintage Sylvania 6CA7's then sure they have more headroom than an EL34 but definitely nothing like a KT88. If you are talking about modern tubes from JJ or the likes that are labeled 6CA7 then fuggetboutit. ALL 6CA7's on the market currently are rebottled 6L6's and none of them share the unique getter arrangement of a 6CA7. Modern ones for all intents and purposes are higher power 6L6's
At the end of the day he isnt changing the circuit and the circuit has a larger bearing on the sound of the amp then the labels on the tubes do.
As for what tubes to buy unless there is a reason just get a new good set of EL34s, Dont try to go mad scientist without a clear objective. A new set of the Mullard EL34's will work great. Many like the JJ's I dont but you might its just a preference thing.
My best suggestion is for 12ax7's and that is get a mix of brands. Get a sovtek LPS get a mullard reissue, get a chinese, get a JJ, get an EH, Then you can move them around in your tube slots and figure out what works best where. Some of the tubes are not gain stages and are just drivers and less picky for what tube is in them. This way you can sample the different flavors and figure out which you like in what slot.
If i was going to mod a 6534 I would add a smoothing choke to it. It will help a little with the fizziness but mostly will help with the bottom end holding together... though Rockstars suggestion of new speakers is excellent.
Re: How to make my peavey 6534+ smoother?
Thanks, i will probably look into just having the tech put in jj6ca7s... as i dont mind trying something new... the smoothing choke sounds interesting, especially since its the fizziness i just cant stand! and new speakers will eventually happen guaranteed, but I just dont have money for a new cab, i will probably buy a used marshall cab with v30s...
Thanks, i will probably look into just having the tech put in jj6ca7s... as i dont mind trying something new... the smoothing choke sounds interesting, especially since its the fizziness i just cant stand! and new speakers will eventually happen guaranteed, but I just dont have money for a new cab, i will probably buy a used marshall cab with v30s...
King IzzO)))
Ultimate Kitten Puncher
Re: How to make my peavey 6534+ smoother?
I haven't heard a 6534 up close, but I've never heard a 6505/5150 with a bias mod that I liked. I'd start with the mod to take it to OG 5150 specs on the lead channel and go from there. I think there's a bright cap on the crunch channel... other stuff.
How much of a benefit is a choke to these amps? Has anyone done one? I've seen differing opinions. I have a 5150II, so I'm interested.
I haven't heard a 6534 up close, but I've never heard a 6505/5150 with a bias mod that I liked. I'd start with the mod to take it to OG 5150 specs on the lead channel and go from there. I think there's a bright cap on the crunch channel... other stuff.
How much of a benefit is a choke to these amps? Has anyone done one? I've seen differing opinions. I have a 5150II, so I'm interested.
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Re: How to make my peavey 6534+ smoother?
If I were to put jj 6ca7s in it would they fit? like im no pro or anything, i dont know anything, i just heard that some tubes are like a tetrode or pentode?? Idk...I guess ill give my amp tech a call, he will know what to do for sure.
If I were to put jj 6ca7s in it would they fit? like im no pro or anything, i dont know anything, i just heard that some tubes are like a tetrode or pentode?? Idk...I guess ill give my amp tech a call, he will know what to do for sure.
King IzzO)))
Ultimate Kitten Puncher
Re: How to make my peavey 6534+ smoother?
I think 6CA7's are more like 6L6's. The last EL-34 amp I had was a Mig 60 and I ran EL-35L's in it, but I ran it wide open all the time. If you're not running it hard power tubes aren't gonna be all that much different.
I think 6CA7's are more like 6L6's. The last EL-34 amp I had was a Mig 60 and I ran EL-35L's in it, but I ran it wide open all the time. If you're not running it hard power tubes aren't gonna be all that much different.
Edgecrusher
Well-known member
Re: How to make my peavey 6534+ smoother?
I agree here I"m not a fan of what it does
About 10 years ago I sent my 5150 to Jerry at FJA to make the crunch a switchable solo boost. While on the phone with him I asked about what could be done about tightening the amp up. Particularly when playing at volume. Based on what i described he recommended a choke which I went ahead and had him do. Its not a huge but is a noticeable difference. The highs arent as brash they seem smoother and ring out better, the low end in particular stays together and it doesnt get as flubby. I'm happy with that mod.
I agree here I"m not a fan of what it does
About 10 years ago I sent my 5150 to Jerry at FJA to make the crunch a switchable solo boost. While on the phone with him I asked about what could be done about tightening the amp up. Particularly when playing at volume. Based on what i described he recommended a choke which I went ahead and had him do. Its not a huge but is a noticeable difference. The highs arent as brash they seem smoother and ring out better, the low end in particular stays together and it doesnt get as flubby. I'm happy with that mod.
