Yeah, those OD 6PS's...

[leadfootdriver]

They're great. Ken really voiced the amp right for a Polyester cap. After playing the 716P's for about a year, I can say that the 6PS's are the way to go.

[bcmatt]

Interesting. Can you describe the difference it made in your tone?
I have had 716Ps in my Liverpool since I built it in 2009. If I swap them out, what difference will I notice?

[leadfootdriver]

Warmer lows and smoother highs. No blatyness in the highend. With 716P's, the amp seemed like it had an extended highend response. Now the extra highs are rolled off and pleasantly in the guitar range. The difference was immediately noticeable.

[leadfootdriver]

Read the data sheets. The 716P says super high freq response! That's not exactly in the guitars range!

[bcmatt]

Well, I am tempted to try them now... not going to be in a huge hurry, since replacing caps on a board with the leads already soldered is not very fun...

But I am curious. I don't suppose you did any before and after clips?

I don't really struggle with Brightness. I really like the open, airy and bright top end. I don't want it choked out... but at the same time i would like to smooth out the distortion more. Even with excessive dialing in, there still remains a hint of a fizz or buzz trailing on after some distorted notes. I've mostly swapped to different speakers to try and eliminate this, but I'm wondering if the PS caps might also be a step in the right direction....

[rp]

Can't say in TW but I decided I really like 6PS, better than 150's which are darker and less clear. I also like the 225's but haven't a/b'd that. I pulled all the 715's from everything I had them in, maybe they're good in '80s amps like Mesas but not in vintage stuff IME. I find 6PS's an other nice Goldilocks product with nice long leads too. If I was limited to only one type of modern cap I'd probably order a big supply of 6PS's. I want to build a JTM/2204 with them for shits and giggles.

Anyway I think 6PS get shit on and a bad rep because:

5) they get painted with the broad brush of generic orange drops (ie 715's)

4) they are too '80s and everyone (foolishly) shits on the '80s

3) too common and commercial to be cool

2) Mesa uses orange drops

1) too many old, wonderful, valuable amps had their mustards and blues thoughtlessly yanked and replaced with orange drops.

[leadfootdriver]

So the 6PS's have all dried up now? LOL, I can't find them anywhere. I checked the vender where I just bought mine and they don't even have them on the list.

WTF?

[rp]

So the 6PS's have all dried up now? WTF?

True? I checked AES and seems the 600V are out? On order, gone for good? Anyone here know the deal, and know where to source right now? I'll stock up if these are history.

[Colossal]

Well, I am tempted to try them now... not going to be in a huge hurry, since replacing caps on a board with the leads already soldered is not very fun...

But I am curious. I don't suppose you did any before and after clips?

I don't really struggle with Brightness. I really like the open, airy and bright top end. I don't want it choked out... but at the same time i would like to smooth out the distortion more. Even with excessive dialing in, there still remains a hint of a fizz or buzz trailing on after some distorted notes. I've mostly swapped to different speakers to try and eliminate this, but I'm wondering if the PS caps might also be a step in the right direction....

Expresses are very subtle. If you are struggling with the distortion characteristic, the circuit is the circuit and changing signal caps is not going to change that. Really roll some tubes through all positions. I found I did NOT like the sound of certain tubes in some positions. The distortion quality changes quite noticeably. I used three different tubes in the preamp to get the sound that did it for me. I also found to get the right amount of volatility (for lack of a better descriptor), I needed to use a high gain 12AX7 in V3. I used 716Ps (600V = film/foil not metallized foil). I found the amp open and airy with very full, clear defined low end which is to my liking. Pickups in your guitar make a huge difference. The difference between my PRS Singlecut and 7 strings with PAF7s is profound. I can really hear the guitar's contribution. I find the amp sounds more separated and clear on the 6k6 OT tap. I just sold that amp but will be building a clone Express and Liverpool both with PVCs however.

You might try a large value pF cap across the PI to rid yourself of some excessive hash. Try 100-500pF. 500pF is what I used and it does damp some of the immediate "up front" high end while still feeling separated and not robbed of air. Each amp is going to be different.

[bcmatt]

Well, I am tempted to try them now... not going to be in a huge hurry, since replacing caps on a board with the leads already soldered is not very fun...

But I am curious. I don't suppose you did any before and after clips?

I don't really struggle with Brightness. I really like the open, airy and bright top end. I don't want it choked out... but at the same time i would like to smooth out the distortion more. Even with excessive dialing in, there still remains a hint of a fizz or buzz trailing on after some distorted notes. I've mostly swapped to different speakers to try and eliminate this, but I'm wondering if the PS caps might also be a step in the right direction....

Expresses are very subtle. If you are struggling with the distortion characteristic, the circuit is the circuit and changing signal caps is not going to change that. Really roll some tubes through all positions. I found I did NOT like the sound of certain tubes in some positions. The distortion quality changes quite noticeably. I used three different tubes in the preamp to get the sound that did it for me. I also found to get the right amount of volatility (for lack of a better descriptor), I needed to use a high gain 12AX7 in V3. I used 716Ps (600V = film/foil not metallized foil). I found the amp open and airy with very full, clear defined low end which is to my liking. Pickups in your guitar make a huge difference. The difference between my PRS Singlecut and 7 strings with PAF7s is profound. I can really hear the guitar's contribution. I find the amp sounds more separated and clear on the 6k6 OT tap. I just sold that amp but will be building a clone Express and Liverpool both with PVCs however.

You might try a large value pF cap across the PI to rid yourself of some excessive hash. Try 100-500pF. 500pF is what I used and it does damp some of the immediate "up front" high end while still feeling separated and not robbed of air. Each amp is going to be different.

Thanks Colossal,
YOur insights are very invaluable.
Since it seems 6PSs aren't available anymore anyways, I won't be swapping out my 716s.
I will try swapping through some 12ax7s. I already use a 5751 in V1 and the 5K3 OT tap because it seems to get me more clarity and openness and bark as well as easier dialing-in of not too much gain whilst my VVR is engaged.

Perhaps if different tubes don't eliminate that bit of hash, I will revisit some previous choices as well. I'll have to spend some time with it... and then I may try that cap across the PI.

[funkmeblue]

cde purchased the orange drop line from sbe in october. suppose to start new manufacturing this year

[rp]

cde purchased the orange drop line from sbe in october. suppose to start new manufacturing this year

Good to hear, CDE should keep them going for a long time. And I don't have to dish out for a big order. I hope they pay attention and don't make them ugly and lumpy.

Anyone know if the rest of the SBE orange drops are shutting down too or if they just sold off the 6PS? I also like the 225PX and am simply curious about the 715s's?

[funkmeblue]

sold the whole orange drop line according to sbe's site

[vibratoking]

Sounds like CDE will keep making them. I am guessing that PS caps are going to cost a hell-of-a-lot more in the near future.

[ampdan]

This doesn't sound good....

“We will continue to manufacture these capacitors out of the current SBE Barre, Vermont facility utilizing the same people, processes and equipment for the near term ultimately transferring the manufacturing to other CDE manufacturing locations.”