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Topic: Tube Works Pro Valve 60 amp tube question |
Kevin Ruddell
From:
Toledo Ohio USA
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Posted 25 Dec 2006 5:32 am |
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I just received a really nice Tube works Pro Valve 60 amp from an ebay seller and it sounds very good . It is the only Tube Works amp head with a tube power output that I'm aware of . I haven't seen this amp before, but I never saw a Tube Works IVAC 65 either before I bought one from a forum member .I use the clean channel and it has a real musical Fenderish sound. It currently has a pair of older Fender 6L6's (Sovtek WXT not the newer WXT+ ones ) for the power output that I would like to upgrade . I read on the web that this amp does not require re-biasing . There are several 6L6 tubes available to choose from along with KT66, 5881 and a couple of others as replacements. For non pedal C6 steel playing is there any benefit to going with another tube type other than the 6L6 ? I am aware the 6V6 is for lower wattage amps and shouldn't be used here. Any advice welcomed
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Keith Cordell
From:
San Diego
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Posted 25 Dec 2006 5:56 am
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| Personally I like the KT66's, but it depends on what you want out of it. I play overdriven, and KT66's sound bigger with a more interesting compression. |
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Jim Sliff
From:
Lawndale California, USA
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Posted 25 Dec 2006 8:01 am
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For standard 6L6's I prefer JJ's among new tubes, although I usually use NOS tubes (I keep hundreds on hand).
The only way that amp could NOT need rebiasing is if it's cathode biased - if so it would have an output around 20-25 watts and a very early Fender "tweed"-ish tone (FWIW even cathod-biased amps need to have the bias checked periodically, because if parts drift you can end up in big trouble, as they run hotter than a "fixed" (which is really adjustable) biased amp.
If it's a fixed-bias amp it may be designed to be tolerant of variations based on different tube applications - but for optimum tone and health of the amp you should always bias a fixed-bias amp, no matter what the manufacturer says. Soem make the "no bias" claim based on use of a certin tube type and rating system - go outside that, and biasing is mandatory.
Simply - ignore the instructions and have the bias checked and adjusted for safe operation AND the best tone.
(Years ago we never...or rarely....biased amps, as the tubes you got from the drugstore were consistent. The whole scenario has changed now, and tubes specs among the same types vary widely - some aren't even what the label says; Sovtek 5881's aren't a 5881 OR a 6L6 or even an audio tube, but instead a Russion servo tube with similar specs; and the early Sovtek 6V6's were "6L6"-ish tubes that failed some tests, but would pass 6V6 requirements!)
Last - I have played through one of those amps, and they're a real sleeper - great tone at a really good price. |
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Kevin Ruddell
From:
Toledo Ohio USA
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Posted 26 Dec 2006 5:35 pm
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Jim and Keith ;
Thanks for chiming in , it helped the decision to order a pair of JJ Tesla 6L6's from Eurotubes yesterday |
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