Right now I'm using a Crate Blue Voodoo head with 2 Electro-Harmonix 6L6GC power tubes and 4 Electro-Harmonix 12AX7 tubes. The amp is compatible with EL34 tubes, but I've never tried them. The sound I'm currently getting is somewhat sizzly with moderate gain and lacks punch and/or personality with lower gain. Should I look into EL34 tubes or another type like 6550? I know my amp will never sound like a Marshall, Mesa Boogie, Engl, Krank, Soldano, etc. I'm just looking to improve it a little. Thanks!
eje2282
2007-05-02 17:59:11 · 4 answers · asked by eje2282 1 in Consumer Electronics ➔ Other - Electronics
The output tubes do contribute to the overall sound of the amp. As far as compatability with EL34/6CA7, are you shure? The EL34 has the supressor grid connected to pin 1 and not tied to the cathode pin 8 as with the 6L6. If the amp was made to use either type, these two pins will have a jumper across them at the base of the socket, otherwise, they are interchangeable. You will probably need to change the bias setting to get the best results, which involves a signal generator and oscilloscope. You can get by without this.
As far as the punch, driving the output stage is where the sound is. EL34's are my choice. They have a smooth clip. 6550's are very hard sounding. 6L6's somewhere between. Good luck!
I think you will like the sound from EL34's, especially if you drive the amp at higher volume levels.
2007-05-02 19:29:28 · answer #1 · answered by scott p 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kid, I will tell you right now that I bought a Squier Bullet for my son about 25 yrs ago because it was cheap and he was just a beginner. Now he is married with kids and STILL plays the heck out of that cheap little guitar. He wants to put new pick ups and tuners in it now but it still plays fine. Some types of music goes well on electric guitars others on acoustic. If you can't make up your mind and you have a lot of money to spend, I would recommend either an Ovation VXT or a Taylor T5. Both are hybrids. In the meantime, they sell cheap Martin spin offs all over the place, that are fine to learn on before dropping the big bucks into a real Martin. Good luck and keep it fun.
2016-05-19 04:11:23 · answer #2 · answered by zoraida 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely. Be carefully of what tubes are compatible. You could blow the tubes first. The original tubes where hand blown in the US. It is still the same technolgy. We went transistor. The old USSR had to make their own. Poor quality. Now China makes the best copy of the original tubes. Their 12AX7 and 6LGC are as good or better than the original.
2007-05-02 18:51:45 · answer #3 · answered by andywho2006 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dont mess with the tubes because on a voodoo and dont quote this but you probly have to sync them together even tho they come in twos usually. my ibanez kinda souds weak at low volumes, too. ANSWER: just by a kick a s s pedal.
2007-05-02 18:31:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋