Toobs

[beandip]

Hey guys, I just found the tube layout for my amp. The two tubes that are bad are 6V6's. Are these the tubes that color my tone the most? Power tubes right?
Anyway, I need to get new tubes for the amp, are there any replacement tubes for 6V6's? Like can I replace it w/ a 6L6? I want something that will clip sooner. My Gibson dosnt clip at all. Cranked all the way, totally clean, talk about headroom. Anyway, thanks for the help, and sorry I'm a total moron when it comes to tubes and amps.

 

[Curly]

Re: Toobs

JJ 6V6s are probably the best current production replacements for you.

the guy at Austone carries 'em, or you can try eurotubes or revolution (joneser's friend)

 

[theboatcandream]

Re: Toobs

Once you start clipping, there's no increase in volume right? So if your amp is clean on max, then you're not necessarily getting the most volume? But if it starts to clip, then you've reached it? If you used tubes which clipped sooner, would you still be as loud?

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Toobs

If you can even put 6L6's in your amp, it'll just increase the volume, punchiness, and headroom. I've had 6V6 amps that could use 6L6's, but not all can.
Just do like Curly said and get some JJ's all around for that amp. It'll sound like a new amp. If you want more gain, buy GT12AX7C's.

 

[Curly]

Re: Toobs

bean,
after reading your post again ...
usually the first preamp tube has the most effect on your overall gain

go here and find your schematic:
gibson schematic
(I can't remember your model - GA-20? GA-30?)

anyway, that will tell you your tube layout - if you can't find the schematic, you'll need to pull a preamp tube to see what it is.

I'd say try to replace at least the first preamp tube, as well as the power tubes - that should be fairly reasonable

the only problem I see is that Gibson sometimes used pre's that aren't so common nowadays, but tube availability has improved the last few years

 

[beandip]

Re: Toobs

I didnt find my amp on there, but the layout is

6v6 6v6
O O


5y3 65c7 65j7 65j7
O O O O


In the gap between the two 6v6's and the rest of the tubes is the tranny, or what looks like one.

 

[Curly]

Re: Toobs

I think the "65" is really "6S" on the pre's ... you may need to use Sovtek, or NOS tubes to replace those

the 5Y3 is your rectifier

here's one source:
KCA NOS


another is Antique Electronic Supply

 

[beandip]

Re: Toobs

Damn, I have no idea what you just said. lol. I hate tube amps!!! not really, but they confuse me

 

[mrid]

Re: Toobs

Anyway, I need to get new tubes for the amp, are there any replacement tubes for 6V6's? Like can I replace it w/ a 6L6?

A 6L6 would give you MORE headroom...

You could buy a set of Yellow Jackets and run EL84's.

 

[beandip]

Re: Toobs

What about that new thingy from Groove Tubes? It goes into a 6L6 slot, but takes a EL84. Decreases your amps power by 70%. Thats why I was asking about 6L6's.

 

[Cowboy Dan!?]

Re: Toobs

damn.........i came in this thread because i thought it said boobs

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Toobs

What about that new thingy from Groove Tubes? It goes into a 6L6 slot, but takes a EL84. Decreases your amps power by 70%. Thats why I was asking about 6L6's.

I'm not famalier with the GT product, but it sounds very close to what a yellow jacket is. That could be a great move, more of a squishy OD sound, and clipping at more reasonable volumes.

I'm not famalier with the pre-amp tubes you have...so I'm no help there. I thought only 12AX, AU's, AT's, 5881's, ect were used for pre-amp tubes.

 

[beandip]

Re: Toobs

Yeah, but this amps from '49 (or so my gramps tell's me. Says it was almost 5 years old when he bought it from a friend in 53)

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Toobs

damn.........i came in this thread because i thought it said boobs

:laugh2:

We're all looking for boobs!

 

[beandip]

Re: Toobs

Anybody got any more advice? I really need to know what to get before I blow my cash on the wrong thing. I'm not looking for high gain "I just sh*t myself" distortion, I want a bluesy overdrive. SOMEBODY HELP ME!!!

 

[Curly]

Re: Toobs

well, the Yellow Jackets aren't too cheap

I think a more economical solution is to get newer power tubes, and bias it to break up ... but I'm just not familiar with your amp ......... what model amp is it anyway?
what's the speaker config?

the only Gibson amp I had didn't break up well :sad:

anyway, once you have as much info as possible, try asking
Myles over on the expert forums


another source of schematics is here:
Gibson scematics

 

[mrid]

Re: Toobs

Anybody got any more advice? I really need to know what to get before I blow my cash on the wrong thing. I'm not looking for high gain "I just sh*t myself" distortion, I want a bluesy overdrive. SOMEBODY HELP ME!!!

Get some JJ 6V6's and a Boss SD-1.

 

[Curly]

Re: Toobs

yeah, and whatever you do, don't screw too much with an old amp

 

[7th Hell]

Re: Toobs

You might consider bringing it in to have an expert install the right tubes and bias your amp. They can also do a maintenence check on it as well (tighten you sockets, clean any dirty pots/contacts...). You might spend a lil' cash, but it's worth it in the long run.

Yeah- Tubes Suck, but the tone they produce is vastly superior to anything solid-state right now. I guess it's worth it!

 

[beandip]

Re: Toobs

You might consider bringing it in to have an expert install the right tubes and bias your amp. They can also do a maintenence check on it as well (tighten you sockets, clean any dirty pots/contacts...). You might spend a lil' cash, but it's worth it in the long run.

Yeah- Tubes Suck, but the tone they produce is vastly superior to anything solid-state right now. I guess it's worth it!

Already did, that's why I'm pissed. Everything go spified up, then two tubes go out.