5f2Ax2 or 5F2A with 6L6's

chrisrbr · November 25th, 2006, 12:43 PM

Hi Everyone,
First post to this forum, been reading it for awhile though. Neat stuff.
short background: I've built a couple 5e3's, a DR and a GA-5. As like most all guitarists, always looking for "that" sound etc. I play in a cover band that does all types of rock. And trying to get an amp design with just enough clean power for my "typical" gig. I like the amp to be just a few dB's before breakup, (do need clean at times). That way when I give it a little boost or increase from a vol pedal it breaks ups all the way through the power section etc. (We always have at least a few thousand watts in the PA, and most clubs have too many than that--so my amp only needs to be loud enough so that I can hear it.)
So finally the question. Played last night with my breadboarded 5F2A, 125ESE OT(15W), 12" speaker cab. Seemed just about on the edge of enough omph. Any opinions on going with parrellel 6v6's. Or try a single 6l6? would the 6l6 have more low end? (I will make any circuit mods as needed)

thanks for any help
Chris

JohnnyCrash · November 25th, 2006, 01:59 PM

I've got a 5F1 Champ (pretty much the same amp, minus the Tone control) head I've built with the EXACT same OT as yours.

I've got it setup to use a 6V6, 6L6, or an EL34. I also have a switch to change the cathode bias from 6V6 to the big tubes.

6L6:
You'll get much more bottom with a 6L6. You'll also have less gain. It's not as midrangey or grunty as a 6V6. Great for cleans. If I need a bit more headroom with a good gain, I'll end up with an EL34 in the Champ.

I still like the 6V6 in there best though.

Since I still prefer the 6V6's (most of the time) in these kinds of circuit, I would personally say go with parallel 6V6's. ALSO, the 6L6 doesn't really give you a big volume boost... going parallel would give you a better little kick. That OT is already giving you and I a nice shout in volume... parallel should get you more than a single 6L6.

Weird, you've got the same iron in a similar circuit as mine (with a switchable 6L6 option!) - I guess I was the right guy to ask :)

chrisrbr · November 25th, 2006, 02:40 PM

thanks so much for the quick reply.
I must confess that you were my inspiration to build this latest amp. My 5e3 had too much vol, (upgraded OT, de-fart mods, effiecient speaker etc), didn't break-up where I wanted it too. Was about to mod it again, lower the B+ or something else.
Then I stumbled on this forum and read all your posts. Never had a Champ, and after reading, it seemed evident that you could gig with one. So I've got a big project box to experiment with. (looked funny and cool at the job under my amp stand on the floor). I like the simplicity of these. (don't crucify me, but I use a floor processor for all the different tones I need--chorus,wah, delay, boosts, flange, crunchs/dist, especially use a volume pedal to push in some gain for solos---hence break up the amp)

I'm using a TP40D PT, (320-0-320), but lowered the B+ after the standby switch by about 25 volts, to around 375V. Not sure how hot I want to run the 6v6(s). the older 5F1 schematics and especially the P1 stuff uses a much lower B+.
There's alost too many choices when you build it yourself! 6v6, 2x6v6, 6l6 ?????

Bswailes · November 26th, 2006, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyCrash

I've got a 5F1 Champ (pretty much the same amp, minus the Tone control) head I've built with the EXACT same OT as yours.

I just ordered by first amp kit. It is a 5Y3 from Pat Bunn. I am hoping my primitive soldering skills will allow me to actually hear sounds out of it! I got it with the 10" Jensen C10Q speaker. This is an adventure! I guess I'll actually have to spec out voltages, ohms and so forth with my handy-dandy multimeter. I hope I'm not over my head...

November 25th, 2006, 12:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
chrisrbr NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: RI Age: 42 Posts: 4	5f2Ax2 or 5F2A with 6L6's Hi Everyone, First post to this forum, been reading it for awhile though. Neat stuff. short background: I've built a couple 5e3's, a DR and a GA-5. As like most all guitarists, always looking for "that" sound etc. I play in a cover band that does all types of rock. And trying to get an amp design with just enough clean power for my "typical" gig. I like the amp to be just a few dB's before breakup, (do need clean at times). That way when I give it a little boost or increase from a vol pedal it breaks ups all the way through the power section etc. (We always have at least a few thousand watts in the PA, and most clubs have too many than that--so my amp only needs to be loud enough so that I can hear it.) So finally the question. Played last night with my breadboarded 5F2A, 125ESE OT(15W), 12" speaker cab. Seemed just about on the edge of enough omph. Any opinions on going with parrellel 6v6's. Or try a single 6l6? would the 6l6 have more low end? (I will make any circuit mods as needed) thanks for any help Chris

November 25th, 2006, 01:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
JohnnyCrash Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lost Angeles and Orange County Posts: 7,128	I've got a 5F1 Champ (pretty much the same amp, minus the Tone control) head I've built with the EXACT same OT as yours. I've got it setup to use a 6V6, 6L6, or an EL34. I also have a switch to change the cathode bias from 6V6 to the big tubes. 6L6: You'll get much more bottom with a 6L6. You'll also have less gain. It's not as midrangey or grunty as a 6V6. Great for cleans. If I need a bit more headroom with a good gain, I'll end up with an EL34 in the Champ. I still like the 6V6 in there best though. Since I still prefer the 6V6's (most of the time) in these kinds of circuit, I would personally say go with parallel 6V6's. ALSO, the 6L6 doesn't really give you a big volume boost... going parallel would give you a better little kick. That OT is already giving you and I a nice shout in volume... parallel should get you more than a single 6L6. Weird, you've got the same iron in a similar circuit as mine (with a switchable 6L6 option!) - I guess I was the right guy to ask :)

November 25th, 2006, 02:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
chrisrbr NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: RI Age: 42 Posts: 4	thanks so much for the quick reply. I must confess that you were my inspiration to build this latest amp. My 5e3 had too much vol, (upgraded OT, de-fart mods, effiecient speaker etc), didn't break-up where I wanted it too. Was about to mod it again, lower the B+ or something else. Then I stumbled on this forum and read all your posts. Never had a Champ, and after reading, it seemed evident that you could gig with one. So I've got a big project box to experiment with. (looked funny and cool at the job under my amp stand on the floor). I like the simplicity of these. (don't crucify me, but I use a floor processor for all the different tones I need--chorus,wah, delay, boosts, flange, crunchs/dist, especially use a volume pedal to push in some gain for solos---hence break up the amp) I'm using a TP40D PT, (320-0-320), but lowered the B+ after the standby switch by about 25 volts, to around 375V. Not sure how hot I want to run the 6v6(s). the older 5F1 schematics and especially the P1 stuff uses a much lower B+. There's alost too many choices when you build it yourself! 6v6, 2x6v6, 6l6 ?????