Scratch TW Express Build Bad Idea for Relative Noob?

[amplifiednation]

currently jamming on my rocket. it would be a disservice to yourself to have an Express without a Rocket first. We may call the Rocket the most forgiving of the wrecks to build, but it might be the best wreck there is.

[The New Steve H]

Hey, I'm just glad we settled on something. He made a firm pro-Express decision, so that's what I'm building.

Today I talked to him, and he said something about putting 6L6s in an Express. I'll just pretend I didn't hear that.

He does want a PPIMV though.

He's just young and in love with music and the tools of his trade. What can you do?

[selloutrr]

He's just young and in love with music and the tools of his trade. What can you do?

Crush his spirits and give him the sobering reality check that music has no future and the money is all dried up.. get good at playing covers cause that's all that bars pay more then a few beers for.

Bitter party of one.
j/k

I think it's great you are fueling his fire! If you find the right 6V6 they can be a very rocking tube.

[The New Steve H]

I'll do what I can to lower his expectations and talk him into a career in a multilevel marketing scam.

[Reeltarded]

Whew! Social Security it is then! G'luck!

heh

[Zippy]

Hey, I'm just glad we settled on something. He made a firm pro-Express decision, so that's what I'm building.

Today I talked to him, and he said something about putting 6L6s in an Express. I'll just pretend I didn't hear that.

He does want a PPIMV though.

I'm curious why he wants 6L6s instead of KT88s.

I'm serious about the Airbrake. That was Ken's way of harnessing some of the volume without killing the character of the amp.

[RevD]

You could put some JJ 6v6's in there, I'm told its really a 6l6 in a 6v6 tube, at least thats the scuttlebutt on the net about it. I know they take major voltage and I've been happy with them for the most part in a few builds. Just a thought, good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Regards,

Rev. D

[Gibsonman63]

6V6's in an Express are fun. They break up a little quicker so run can run with slightly less volume. Just do a normal build and buy a decent pair of EL34's and 6V6's. Tubes are critical in an Express. If you don't already know, you will find out why tubes are sometimes described as grainy if you stick one in there, so don't scrimp.

Speakers will have the most dramatic effect on the sound. The same amp running the same tubes is an entirely different beast when you switch from a 4x12 Celestion equipped cabinet to a 2x12 cabinet with gold-back Jensens, but both are good.

[The New Steve H]

He wants 6L6s because I bought him a pair of Winged Cs back when I thought we were building a Super Reverb clone.

Hey, I don't care. If it can be done without killing anyone, I'll try it. I just figured it was a horrible idea, since everyone is telling me I have to copy the existing builds or descend into the bowels of hell.

[Zippy]

I just figured it was a horrible idea, since everyone is telling me I have to copy the existing builds or descend into the bowels of hell.

Build it and let us know. Maybe it's all just a bunch of 'net lore.

[Reeltarded]

I have seen it happen.

People end up on TGP. It's like being disappeared into limbo.

[RevD]

Won't do any harm on using 6l6's.. They just have a different tonality, just different, some may even like it, not sure its the right tube, but hey the right tube is what sounds good to you! It may totally be his thing! Good luck!

Regards,

D.

[M Fowler]

Yup it's subjective. I have alway preferred the 6L6 and especialy the 5881 over the EL34.

Mark

[Weathered]

Yup it's subjective. I have alway preferred the 6L6 and especialy the 5881 over the EL34.

Mark

Now, you're talking a proper 5881 and not the abomination that is the Sovtek 5881, right?

[The New Steve H]

How big a deal is it to make the change? I'm trying to find info on it. Is it a totally different transformer? I found some guy on the web, saying he built an amp with a switch that varies the bias.

If it's something easy to reverse, I don't mind doing it. I just don't want him to blow $500 on something that has to be completely redone if he doesn't like the sound.