Allynmey wrote:I just read over this thread and realized that was the only Express I built with 5.2K taps. Everyone I've built since uses 6.6K taps.
Allyn, did Richie make the comparison in tone between 5.2K and 6.6K What differences did you notice
What Funk posted is pretty much the differences.. Neither sound bad.. but between the 2, i'd say if your going for the Wreck sound on the express,the 6.6k would be the one to choose over the 5.2k
The 5.2k is a bit more raw sounding and a little brighter. the 6.6k is a smoother sound,and not as bright. As i say this, both type,you can change the controls and get them close. Some peope may not even hear a difference. But you can 'tell' a difference when your playing.
Now thats not to say,some may like the 5.2k better for the way they play.
Not a huge difference,but it is noticable.
I'd also say that some trannys when measured,may be a little different than the posted value.. Some can be 10% one way ot the other..
Last edited by Richie on Sun Nov 04, 2007 1:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"..I do remember he did say the later xf2 didn't have the same bass response....."
Thanks for the response! Please let us know.
I read a couple of times that the early Philips EL34's have better aligned screen grids than most EL34's causing them to be more american or perhaps USA 6CA7 like sounding....these tubes have aligned screen grids too!
I was wondering has anybody of you guys have tried these USA 6CA7 tubes in their clones?
I've tried both NOS Sylvania 6CA7s and new EH 6VA7s in my '89 original Express. They do have a pinch more lows, and more of a scooped mid range to them. The highs are a little harsher however. I find them to be a nice change of pace for some things especially chunky rhythm, but overall I always come back to the 34s.
I run a pair of fat bottle NOS Sylvania 6CA7's in my wreck build, and it is very aggressive sounding. Pre's are JJ ECC83 except for V1 which is a ECC803 JJ.
- power tubes EL34: tested JJ - EH - Svetlana Winged C - NOS Siemens
--> Wingled Cs have a strange but very good sound.. it's difficult to
describe .. different from the others but very good.
NOS Siemens are fantastic.
My choice as of today: 1. NOS Siemens - 2. Svet winged C.
Not tested the Mullard NOS... one of my friend has 2 in his hifi system but
they are too much used.. now they distort the hifi signal.
- pre tubes 12AX7: tested Groove tubes, Sovtek normal, Sovtek LP,
Sovtek LPS (the right solution in my Soldano SLO), Chinese without
brand, JJ, Tungsol, EI, NOS Telefunken, new Mullard
--> EI have the more harmonic and complex sound to my ears, but they
are too much microfonic and put my express clone in the unstable side.
The telefunken one has less gain but fantastic balance
My Chioce now: 1st tube: NOS Telefunken - 2nd and 3rd EI
NOTE for microphonic: I worked 2 evenings moving and replacing wires but I was not able to reduce microphonic... I use the express clone with a DrZ Airbrake and with no reduction and 1 clic, 2 times on 3 I had the unstability of the amp and in order to stop the microphonic I had to put the amp in standby mode.
Replaced the 1st tube with the NOS Telefunken... never had the problem at all.
I tested all the 12AX7 I had at home (about 12-13) in the 1st position, but when I was able to reduce the microphonic the amp loosed the rich harmonic sound (specially with cleaned sounds obtained turning down the guitar volume pot). The only one that let me have good and harmonic sound and no microphonic is the NOS Telefunken.
I read in many posts the suggest to use a NOS tube in the 1st position... I was sceptic, but with me it works.
Castor
sorry: settings:
with HB: volume 12-3 / all other pots to 12/ bright full
with SC (I mounted the Suhr 52's set 3 weeks ago): volume 11-2
Presence 9 / all others pots to 12/ bright full or 1/2. Good sounds on PK positions 2-4-5... 1 is too bright. The max distorted sound I like with SC is similar to the one you can hear in the new Geetarpicker's video
What differences did you notice
