Just dropped some EHX 6CA7 tubes on my Tweaker!

[Diego]

Tried them at bedroom volume just to see if they worked.
Didn't break them this time! Bought a matched set, replacing the stock EHX 6V6 power tubes.
Cathode biased amp, so I just popped them in and it's all ready.

They get hotter than the 6V6 even at low volumes, and I can tell it has some extra bass and balls, tried them very low though.
More focused mids as well, which is good because it was too honky for my taste before.
They're supposed to be sort of a EL34 with more balls or something. Right?

Can't wait to crank my amp this weekend! Wanna get to know their real character.

 

[aleclee]

Re: Just dropped some EHX 6CA7 tubes on my Tweaker!

Nice tubes. I find em to be like EL34s with less pronounced upper mids

 

[indie folk guy]

Re: Just dropped some EHX 6CA7 tubes on my Tweaker!

I run JJ 6CA7 in mine, I find them to be a good balance between a 6L6 and EL34

Kinda the low end of a 6L6 with the mid/high complexity of an EL34

 

[Diego]

Re: Just dropped some EHX 6CA7 tubes on my Tweaker!

Cranked it last night!

It does sound different. The 6V6 breakup came way earlier and was more AC/DC or Aerosmith than anything else, lots of mids.

The 6CA7 sound much more ballsy, brighter and with more upper mid crunch. Absolutely perfect for Alice in Chains and stuff like that. Huge!
They sound more transparent than the 6V6 as well, less coloration.
Wish I had a 4x12 to try!

Played my SSS Strat tuned to B, some King's X tunes and it fit like a glove.

Love these tubes so far! I'll definitely pop back the 6V6 from time to time though, they sound sweet.

Now it' s time to splurge on a good cab...

 

[indie folk guy]

Re: Just dropped some EHX 6CA7 tubes on my Tweaker!

old Hiwatts used to come with 6CA7 tubes, I find that they breakup later than most other types of power tubes.

I'm glad you are liking them though Diego, and glad to see you didn't break a tube this time

There are so many types I'd like to try in this amp. I may even order a set of THD Yellow Jackets and try some EL84s in it to really nail the Voxy chime. It's just gonna cost like $150 to try that between tubes and the converters.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Just dropped some EHX 6CA7 tubes on my Tweaker!

Good man, 6CA7's rock!

 

[Diego]

Re: Just dropped some EHX 6CA7 tubes on my Tweaker!

I did notice you could push the 6V6 to 10 and still sound good, fat and warm but composed.

Not with the 6CA7. Push them too hard and they sound like crap, a bit too loose and crazy.
Maybe it was the low tuning. I'll report tonight after tuning to E with humbuckers.