6v6 and 6L6 deluxe reverb help

[1000uf]

I want to build a deluxe that can run on 6v6 or 6L6 but most of the info I have found around the net gives very broad detail to what is safe and what is not. I know I cant use a regular deluxe power transformer because the 6L6 will draw too much. The output transformer is also an issue because of impedance and size.

Does anyone have any experience or advice with this kind of build and willing to share? thanks!

[tictac]

IF you build a Deluxe Reverb type amp you can use either 6V6 or 6L6GC power tubes with the 6K6 OT the Deluxe uses. You won't get more power with the 6L6 tubes, they'll be somewhat cleaner sounding than the 6V6's.

The thing you do need to consider is heater current. The 6V6 heater draws .45 amps; the 6L6 .9 amps. You need to make sure your PT has the capacity for the extra current.

Allen Amps sells some nice Fender iron and I believe they make a Deluxe Reverb replacement PT that can handle the extra current of the 6L6 tubes just so you can do what you're proposing...

TT

[rogb]

Or you can go Mercury Magnetics FDP 20 - 200mA - will run all you can throw at it.

I have one and it is excellent

[M Fowler]

Look at AllenAmps.com for replacement PT and OT for what you are doing, David Allen builds many versions of Fender based amps that run 6V6/6L6.

Mark

[pdf64]

Regular DR spec iron would probably cope with 6L6s if you don't push it too hard.
My experience is that if heavily overdriven, such iron will fail, and upgraded replacements are required (and then works fine / sounds better).
So it depends on how you intend to use it.
Pete

[1000uf]

IF you build a Deluxe Reverb type amp you can use either 6V6 or 6L6GC power tubes with the 6K6 OT the Deluxe uses. You won't get more power with the 6L6 tubes, they'll be somewhat cleaner sounding than the 6V6's.

The thing you do need to consider is heater current. The 6V6 heater draws .45 amps; the 6L6 .9 amps. You need to make sure your PT has the capacity for the extra current.

Allen Amps sells some nice Fender iron and I believe they make a Deluxe Reverb replacement PT that can handle the extra current of the 6L6 tubes just so you can do what you're proposing...

TT

I think I understand the power side. Will I run into any impedance issues using the 6k6 output transformer with both kinds of tubes? I thought I read somewhere that this is the case but I do not know for sure.

[Structo]

Yeah a pair of 6V6 like around 6,000 ohms and a pair of 6L6GC like around 4,000.

Not to mention the increased power the 6L6GC will put out.

There are dual primary output transformers that you can switch between the two impedances or you can simply change the output impedance to reflect the change on the primar.

[crbowman]

People have been running 6L6's in Deluxe Reverbs for years, and rarely is there ever a problem with this. I've done it with mine on occasion.
That said, if I was going to build a DR style amp I would probably use Allen's TP40D power transformer if for nothing else but peace of mind. The stock PT does get pretty hot after awhile. The output transformer is somewhat less of an issue. You can use a beefier one if you like, but don't expect it to sound like a DR. You'll be getting more into Vibrolux territory.

http://allenamps.com/parts.php#transformers

[renshen1957]

IF you build a Deluxe Reverb type amp you can use either 6V6 or 6L6GC power tubes with the 6K6 OT the Deluxe uses. You won't get more power with the 6L6 tubes, they'll be somewhat cleaner sounding than the 6V6's.

The thing you do need to consider is heater current. The 6V6 heater draws .45 amps; the 6L6 .9 amps. You need to make sure your PT has the capacity for the extra current.

Allen Amps sells some nice Fender iron and I believe they make a Deluxe Reverb replacement PT that can handle the extra current of the 6L6 tubes just so you can do what you're proposing...

TT

Ii

I think I understand the power side. Will I run into any impedance issues using the 6k6 output transformer with both kinds of tubes? I thought I read somewhere that this is the case but I do not know for sure.

Hi,

The impedance isn't an issue, rather the limitation of the OT current rating on how much power will be produced. If you have the heater current you could install KT 88 tubes. The tone will charge but the power is limited by the PT and OT, voltage on the plates, the circuit, and the class of the power amp.

How about 10k on a pair of 6L6? Yes it's been done.

Best regards

Steve