noob question: Is it easy to replace EL34 for 6L6?
- Thread starter crguti
- Start date
Baltar
New member
Re: noob question: Is it easy to replace EL34 for 6L6?
i don't think thats a noob question. btw i hate the term noob.
- the Raa of a 6L6 and EL34 is about the same, so you wouldn't have an impedance mismatch.
- heaters current is much less for every 6L6 compared to EL34. so no probs here
- in terms of HV current, i would say yes for 6L6, 6L6G, 5881.
(i would'nt use 6L6GC, due to ~20% more HV current - could be bad for your PT.)
- EL34 can handle higher plate voltages - but we can check that easily - which amp is it? how much power rating?
btw the other way around it would be tricky, due to some amps use an unused
solder lug on 6L6 sockets (to anchor resistors), which is used for g3 on EL34.
that would need to be changed before useing EL34 in an 6L6 amp (implied the pt delivers enough filament current)
if unsure, ask the amp tech that biases your amp.
i don't think thats a noob question. btw i hate the term noob.
- the Raa of a 6L6 and EL34 is about the same, so you wouldn't have an impedance mismatch.
- heaters current is much less for every 6L6 compared to EL34. so no probs here
- in terms of HV current, i would say yes for 6L6, 6L6G, 5881.
(i would'nt use 6L6GC, due to ~20% more HV current - could be bad for your PT.)
- EL34 can handle higher plate voltages - but we can check that easily - which amp is it? how much power rating?
btw the other way around it would be tricky, due to some amps use an unused
solder lug on 6L6 sockets (to anchor resistors), which is used for g3 on EL34.
that would need to be changed before useing EL34 in an 6L6 amp (implied the pt delivers enough filament current)
if unsure, ask the amp tech that biases your amp.
Last edited:
FuseG4
Our Neighbor Totoro
Re: noob question: Is it easy to replace EL34 for 6L6?
it's not a n00b question, but I love the term n00b. Some people are inexperienced and thats OK. but some people wallow happily in their ignorance, never seeking the truth. N00b is a great term for those guys. As is "chump". As long a you're politely trying to find answers and listening to people who wanna help you, you're not a n00b, you're just new at whatever.
and thanks baltar for the technical info on the differences. So it looks like one would just need to mod the heater section of the circuit? a few component values maybe?
it's not a n00b question, but I love the term n00b. Some people are inexperienced and thats OK. but some people wallow happily in their ignorance, never seeking the truth. N00b is a great term for those guys. As is "chump". As long a you're politely trying to find answers and listening to people who wanna help you, you're not a n00b, you're just new at whatever.
and thanks baltar for the technical info on the differences. So it looks like one would just need to mod the heater section of the circuit? a few component values maybe?
Baltar
New member
Re: noob question: Is it easy to replace EL34 for 6L6?
i can't tell for sure without knowing the amp.
mainly, if the amp has a fixed bias and the amps HV is not to high,
it would just be plug, bias and play for 6L6, 6L6G, 5881 tubes.
cathode biased amps, would need a different cathode resistor soldered in
(well for certain tube swaps the bias range resistor may also need a change)
i can't tell for sure without knowing the amp.
mainly, if the amp has a fixed bias and the amps HV is not to high,
it would just be plug, bias and play for 6L6, 6L6G, 5881 tubes.
cathode biased amps, would need a different cathode resistor soldered in
(well for certain tube swaps the bias range resistor may also need a change)
eschoendorff
New member
Re: noob question: Is it easy to replace EL34 for 6L6?
I'd contact Engl. They seem fairly "artist-friendly."
I'd contact Engl. They seem fairly "artist-friendly."
Baltar
New member
Re: noob question: Is it easy to replace EL34 for 6L6?
Ah, I oversight you posted the amps name.
It's hard to find newer Engl Schematics to check.
I'm quite sure it will work running 6L6, but phone them to be on the safe side!
I have always have a hard time getting a decent answer via email.
Ah, I oversight you posted the amps name.
It's hard to find newer Engl Schematics to check.
I'm quite sure it will work running 6L6, but phone them to be on the safe side!
I have always have a hard time getting a decent answer via email.
Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: noob question: Is it easy to replace EL34 for 6L6?
Before you change the tubes and set up new bias etc......play the amp with 34s for a while...you may dig it.
Before you change the tubes and set up new bias etc......play the amp with 34s for a while...you may dig it.
Red_Label
New member
glassman
Electron Herder
Re: noob question: Is it easy to replace EL34 for 6L6?
I used to get a lot of requests to change output tube types back in the day. I always cautioned...and the insistant customer always found out, that the difference between tube types can be pretty minimal in most amps. In many cases, a dramatic change in bias of the current tubes can be more dramatic than a change to a different type biased in the same general area.
I'm with Gibson175 on this one...get to know what you got...and explore the possibilities that lie within the stock arrangement before you go changing things.
I used to get a lot of requests to change output tube types back in the day. I always cautioned...and the insistant customer always found out, that the difference between tube types can be pretty minimal in most amps. In many cases, a dramatic change in bias of the current tubes can be more dramatic than a change to a different type biased in the same general area.
I'm with Gibson175 on this one...get to know what you got...and explore the possibilities that lie within the stock arrangement before you go changing things.
