Recomendations for 6v6 build

[jcr1234]

This is my first post and I need some thoughts on a 2x6v6 build.

I was thinking the Deluxe Reverb kit, but I saw the Ceriatone Expression with the option of 2 6v6's rather than 2 El 34's. I dont need the volume of the El 34's and I love the tone of the 6v6.

I dont gig, so its just for playing at home.

What do you guys think? DR or Expression? Im open to other suggestions as well.

Thanks,
Jon

[tubeswell]

any vintage fender clone. The 5G9 is sweet (Fixed bias, LTP and bias-vary trem), so is the BFPR (aa1164)

[tele caster]

5E3 is a cool build. I build one with deluxe reverb trannys. Very nice.

[Phil_S]

The Express is a very particular kind of amp and a bit off the beaten path. If you aren't sure what it sounds like, you may not want to just jump into one.

There is lots you can do with a pair of 6V6. The 5E3 is a classic sound. You can build an 18-watt deviant. There's nothing wrong with a Fender Princeton -- another classic sound. You might have a look at the Ampeg Portaflex. I think someone already suggested the 5G9 Tremolux.

It's pretty hard to make the wrong decision here.

Good luck.

[Bob-I]

It depends on what you want out of the amp. An Express wants to be played loud, cranked at least halfway up, which is really f&&in loud in spite of being 6V6's, plus it doesn't like/need pedals. The Fender BF style like the Princeton Reverb or Deluxe Reverb like to be played clean and use pedals for overdrive. The Tweed Deluxe is a grind machine, very little clean headroom and great Rev. Billy Gibbons grind.

My personal preference is for the Dumble style amps. The D-Lite ckt with 6V6's are great from playing at home because the OD ckt works great even at low volumes, the cleans are smooth and rich.

Good luck with the project.

[gldtp99]

And there's the 6V6 Plexi build that hasn't been mentioned yet: http://www.mhuss.com/Plexi6V6/index.html
I used the mhuss 6V6 Plexi schematic as a general guide to build up a 25 watt, 6V6 x 2, cascaded preamp/MV (Marshall 2204-type) head--- this one also has variable NFB via a front panel pot.
Pics: http://s46.photobucket.com/albums/f112/ ... 0800%2025/ --- There's a sound clip in my sig below.
One guy was over demoing stage amps last week and played many 50 watters and some 100 watters----he pointed to this 25 watter and wanted to play it----after jamming it out at @80% vol for about 1/2 hour, he said, "Too bad it's only 50 watts instead of 100--- It's got an overdrive character i've been looking for."--- I said, "It's only a 25 watt head---- two 6V6's." He said, "You're kidding !! That much punch out of only 25 watts ?" He liked it but was looking for more of a 100 watt 1959 Marshall-type amp tone-- even though he didn't know it before coming over to play about a dozen different heads.
It really depends what type of tone you're looking for---- a 5E3 is great sounding Tweed circuit, Brownface Deluxe's are very cool, as are BF Princeton and Deluxe reverbs.
The Dumble-type circuits are very popular but i haven't done any yet so i can't add to the info already given about them.
Are you a Tremolo fan that wants something a little different ?--- Then try out a Magnatone-type build.
There are many possibilities with 6V6 x 2......................gldtp99

[David Root]

For something a little different that comes highly recommended, take a look at the Martin 112T schematic in the Bargain Bin section of Schematic Heaven. I got it and sent it to schematicheaven.

Martin? Acoustic amp? No, it isn't. It was made by DeArmond for Martin in 1959 & 60, when Martin tried out the electric market (unsuccessfully). It is sort of like a 5E3 but voiced differently and has relatively big iron.

Tonequest Report said it was the best sounding 2 x 6V6 1x12 they had ever heard, cloned it and they sell them for $2,000!

I worked up a design using the same preamp/PI, for 30W with four 6V6s and have the iron, a cabinet and a pair of G12s waiting for me to get to it. Not to mention a nice quad of UOS RCA grayglass '50s 6V6s.

[jcr1234]

Thanks for all the responses. Im looking forward to looking through a bunch of schematics before I make my decision.

Keep the suggestions comin'!

Thanks,
Jon

[MBD115]

I was thinking the Deluxe Reverb kit, but I saw the Ceriatone Expression

I didn't think one was allowed to say Deluxe Reverb and Express in the same sentence.

Only kidding
Good luck man.

[M Fowler]

I would build the TW Rocket with 6v6 power section then you have a great amp.

[Structo]

I built a sort of Plexi style amp out of my Hammond organ donor.

I didn't have room for two preamp tube stages so I had to get by with one, the LTP PI and the pair of 6V6.
Cathode biased.

It sounds really good and the great thing about these little amps is you can add stuff like different preamp cathode resistors or none with a on/off/on switch, master volume, NFB switch or make it variable.

You can add a lot of doo dads to them to make a super versatile amp.

[Darkbluemurder]

I would build the TW Rocket with 6v6 power section then you have a great amp.

Fine suggestion. That would be close to the Top Hat Club Deluxe schematic on www.schematicheaven.com (in the post 70s amps section). I built one but changed to EL34 tubes later (I have enough heater current available since I used a JTM45 power transformer).