Upgraded my Champ clone with new/NOS valves -- sounds great!

[TwilightOdyssey]

Now that I'm back in recording mode again, a quick inspection of my amplifiers showed that a couple needed some TLC, particularly my Lil Dawg Champster, which had developed a hum and I suspected that v1 was shot. I purchased the Champster 4-5 years ago and it's a great Champ circuit guitar head for a not a lot of money. (I think I paid $600 in total for the head). Having just 3 valves, I was able to upgrade the 6V6 to something a bit more esoteric, and I grabbed an NOS mid 50s/60s Sylvania 6V6. It's physically smaller than the JJ that shipped with the amp and I was excited to try a period-accurate valve in there.

The sound is definitely different! The output is a bit lower (6dB I would guess) compared to the JJ, but that's what the volume control is for. Exchanging the JJ in V1 for a modern Mullard further darkened the tone a bit and gave the amp a warmer/darker, overall tone, but still has plenty of clarity. Pushed into drive with an MXR distortion+, with a Marshall 2x12 loaded with Eminence Wizards, this amp is L O U D on its own and really dynamic.

Since I don't like squeaky clean guitar parts, even when playing 'clean', I really like the tone of the Sylvania 6V6. Adding in a few modulation options for recording (strymon DECO, MXR script Phase 90, MXR Micro Flange, BOSS RT-20), and using my HS-3 loaded Strat, the sound took on a distinctly 70s style sound.

Overall, I'm very pleased with the upgrade.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Upgraded my Champ clone with new/NOS valves -- sounds great!

Cool! I'm surprised the mullard was darker than the JJ. Was that an ECC83S? I found those were pretty dark to begin with.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Upgraded my Champ clone with new/NOS valves -- sounds great!

Wonderful! I love Sylvania 6v6. Used it with the tweaker!
I dislike jj 6v6 unless you specifically want darker tone and more headroom/harder sounding breakup, they are built way sturdy though!
I can imagine how different your amp sounds now. Bet it rules!

 

[jeremy]

Re: Upgraded my Champ clone with new/NOS valves -- sounds great!

i like jj 6v6 but they arent very representitive of a typical 6v6. louder and with some 6l6 flavor. enjoy the new tones

 

[DankStar]

Re: Upgraded my Champ clone with new/NOS valves -- sounds great!

Looks like such a clean simple amp. Bet it’s great with pedals.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Upgraded my Champ clone with new/NOS valves -- sounds great!

Cool! I'm surprised the mullard was darker than the JJ. Was that an ECC83S? I found those were pretty dark to begin with.

Yes, an ECC83S. I always find the JJs to be more forward in the upper mids than Mullard.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Upgraded my Champ clone with new/NOS valves -- sounds great!

Wonderful! I love Sylvania 6v6. Used it with the tweaker!
I dislike jj 6v6 unless you specifically want darker tone and more headroom/harder sounding breakup, they are built way sturdy though!
I can imagine how different your amp sounds now. Bet it rules!

Thanks! Yes, it sounds quite different, really smoothed out now!

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Upgraded my Champ clone with new/NOS valves -- sounds great!

i like jj 6v6 but they arent very representitive of a typical 6v6. louder and with some 6l6 flavor. enjoy the new tones

So true! There was a definite volume drop with the Sylvania, totally not a deal-breaker for me, but definitely noticeable.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Upgraded my Champ clone with new/NOS valves -- sounds great!

Looks like such a clean simple amp. Bet it’s great with pedals.

It is! But you have to do a bit of experimentation to find the right drive pedals for it since it doesn't have an EQ. The bottom is actually a piece of clear plexiglass so you can see the circuit. Looks beautiful!