Myles, I've got a few U.S. made 6V6GT tubes, what wattage are these considered to be for biasing purposes?

I just joined the forum and posted my first question regarding the use of a variac ahead of a tube amp. I wish I had read your posting first. I posted that I had recently read an article by a botique amp builder that indicated it was not harmful to a tube amp to utilize a variac for overdriving the amp at lower volumes. He indicatd that 80 to 85 volts was typically the lowest input voltage that should be used. He advised that tube life would be affected by that it was not significant. Do you have any advice regarding this issue?

Myles,

What do you think of Mesa's Lonestar Special? Mesa's not in your World's Greatest Amps section -- any particular reason?

Thanks Myles. I'm looking for a low-watt complement to my Victoria Regal, which I run with either 6L6s or 6V6s, because I too prefer the sound of those tubes. The Lonestar seems like it may be too powerful (loud), although it does have a 10 watt option? I was also tempted by the Carr Rambler, but I've heard it too is pretty loud. If you have any other suggestions for a great blues amp to play primarily in a bedroom environment (and recording), I'm all ears.

Thanks again.

OK. Last question on this: I had a Dr. Z Maz Jr, also at 18 watts as you know, and it was really powerful. An absolutely great amp, but really needed to be opened up to sing. I do most of my playing in a small room/studio, and it was just too much. I'm concerned that the Ghia will be in the same league. Is that true? If so, any recommendations for something a bit less powerful?

OK then. I'll check one out. Let me know if you know of anyone wanting to get rid of a 1x12 combo. I assume a Celestion Blue would sound great in this amp.

Thanks Myles.

Hey Myles,

I bought a Lifco Cobra Mark2 amp, and from what I can gather, it uses the AB763A circuit, with 6V6's and 12AT7's. I just swapped those out for 6L6's and 12AX7's that seem to wake it up some, but it's strictly gainy sounding. I found a post on HC where a guy says he's modded these from Class A to AB, and can get 22 watts from it, and tone like a Deluxe Reverb. I'd like to get some clarity out of this unit, cuz right now it's stictly distorted and underpowered. I't's almost definitely from the 60's, with a tube rectifier, and all point to point. Any ideas or schematics?

Myles... I have a speaker that I would like to know who made it. We've put it in a Peavey Classic 30 and love the sound...
Here's all the info I could get from it...

The speaker came from a 1972 Alamo Futura Reverb 2567.

On the back it says:

12L A50
137 - 7242
Application Engineered for Alamo Electronics

On the back of the cone is:

1252 T (I think it's a "T").

Thanks...
Billy

If it is an AB763 circuit just assure V6 is a 12AT7. The amps actually put out close to 30 watts if they have 425 or so plate volts.

Prints or links to prints are on my website.

Myles - I'm newly joined here but not newly aware of your expertise. Thanks a mil. Another Fender question. I tried to do the old search before you post, but couldn't seem to get very far.

Anyway - I have gotten it into my mind that the Fender Tone-Master may be a great amp for me. unfortunately, I have never played one myself. My goal is quite simple - fender sparkly clean channel, but takes my fuzz and distortion pedals well. My favorite fender sounds are the bassman and the deluxe reverb, but I'm looking for something i can hook cabs up to. Hence my interest in a head. I tried a mesa boogie lone star thinking this might hit the spot, but it was horribly not musical.

So how would you describe the Tone-Master's clean channel? I've heard a lot of people say they got rid of theirs because it seemed to be too powerful no matter what. I'm just trying to make an informed decision if I ever see one in person.

Hey Myles, I've got a few questions. First, do I have to re-bias an amp for an ECC83 if they normally take 12AX7's?

Secondly, I'm looking to re-tube my Fender Deluxe Reverb Reissue. My plans are as follows:

V1: Tung-Sol 12AX7
V2: JJ ECC83S
V3: NOS Mullard CV4024
V4: Tung-Sol 12AX7
V6: NOS Mullard CV4024

Power Tubes: NOS Brimar/STC 6V6
Rectifier: NOS GE 5AR4

Do you have any idea what this set-up would do? What I'm basically hoping to achieve is a sound that has enough clean headroom that breaks up at around 3, and gets particularly aggressive at higher volumes with levels of gain that can get rock n roll grind. I've also heard that those Mullard's can smooth out the top end a bit correct? Additionally, do you know of any way to make the Deluxe Reverb sound more "brown"?

Thanks for reading and help is much appreciated.

Okay, great, so Groove Tube's produces the 12AX7M right?

And also as you said, I don't need to bias pre-amp tubes, so would it become more aggressive if I put a low gain 12AX7 in it, say a 5751?

Myles,

I'd like to hear your take on the JAN-Philips 6L6WGB tubes from the 80s. It's been said that these have a similar plate structure to 7581As, but are rated as a 30 watt tube, similar to a 6L6GC. Would you say they can used as a direct substitute for a 6L6GC? Any opinions as to life expectancy in amps with 450-500 plate volts compared to a 6L6GC?

Hey Myles, do you know when the Groove Tubes 12AX7M are due in?