Telecaster Guitar Forum - View Single Post - 6G6-B question for all you vintage circuit experts

Wayne Alexander · October 30th, 2008, 12:18 PM

I've got a lot of amps, and I can say that nothing else sounds much like a 6G6B. Certainly none of the tweed-era circuits do. If you're open to some electronic modifications you can bring the 6B6B down to any volume level you want. Don't do this on a pristine vintage one, but if you get a Marsh http://store.marshamps.com/product_i...roducts_id=427 or other no-collector-value 6G6B, you can install Kevin O'Connor's Power Scaling http://www.londonpower.com/catalog/p...products_id=27 or Dana Hall's VVR (similar circuits that reduce the B+ voltage and the bias voltage in proportion to each other, while retaining full heater voltage) to give you pretty much the same sound down to maybe 25% of the "stock" output. At lower volume than that the sound will be a bit cleaner, but still usable all the way down to bedroom levels.

A good attenuator is another option, though I tend to prefer the sound of the VVR or Power Scaling.

I've got a Marsh 6G6B on which I installed VVR and a Dave Allen "raw" control on the "normal" channel to increase mids when needed, it's a very versatile amp. I tried a post phase inverter master volume, but didn't like the sound of it with this circuit. I usually use it with a 2x12 closed back cabinet with Celestion G1265 Heritage speakers (Setzer uses Celestion Vintage 30's, which have more of an upper midrange spike) or a 1x12 open back with a 100-watt Scumback speaker. It makes all the Setzer type sounds, and a lot more, at nearly any volume level. These amps won't give you as much grind as a Marshall 4-imnput model 1987 50-watt, but about as much as a JTM45, if those are references for you. The tone, of course, is different than the Marshalls.

October 30th, 2008, 12:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
Wayne Alexander Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA Posts: 1,351	I've got a lot of amps, and I can say that nothing else sounds much like a 6G6B. Certainly none of the tweed-era circuits do. If you're open to some electronic modifications you can bring the 6B6B down to any volume level you want. Don't do this on a pristine vintage one, but if you get a Marsh http://store.marshamps.com/product_i...roducts_id=427 or other no-collector-value 6G6B, you can install Kevin O'Connor's Power Scaling http://www.londonpower.com/catalog/p...products_id=27 or Dana Hall's VVR (similar circuits that reduce the B+ voltage and the bias voltage in proportion to each other, while retaining full heater voltage) to give you pretty much the same sound down to maybe 25% of the "stock" output. At lower volume than that the sound will be a bit cleaner, but still usable all the way down to bedroom levels. A good attenuator is another option, though I tend to prefer the sound of the VVR or Power Scaling. I've got a Marsh 6G6B on which I installed VVR and a Dave Allen "raw" control on the "normal" channel to increase mids when needed, it's a very versatile amp. I tried a post phase inverter master volume, but didn't like the sound of it with this circuit. I usually use it with a 2x12 closed back cabinet with Celestion G1265 Heritage speakers (Setzer uses Celestion Vintage 30's, which have more of an upper midrange spike) or a 1x12 open back with a 100-watt Scumback speaker. It makes all the Setzer type sounds, and a lot more, at nearly any volume level. These amps won't give you as much grind as a Marshall 4-imnput model 1987 50-watt, but about as much as a JTM45, if those are references for you. The tone, of course, is different than the Marshalls.