converting a blues junior to 6v6 tubes

[dragonbat13]

Got a blonde junior

I just cant stand el84s

I want to convert it to 6v6s


They just dont do it for me. I know It would be alot of work but can the iron handle it?

Is there any website that can lead me in the right direction?

I kinda like the features of the amp but it just doesn't have the punch I am looking for.

[mhuss]

It would be a minor PitA to convert, as you'd have to punch larger holes in the substantial steel chassis and wire up sockets.

The power supply and OT would be fine as-is.

I don't want to discourage you, but no 18 watt amp is going to sound 'punchy.'

--mark

[CaseyJones]

How can I put this politely...

SELL IT and buy amp parts.

It's not a lot of work to convert to 6V6s but it probably won't do what you want it to. In general EL84s are punchier than 6V6s. They're a little brighter but they're also more sensitive, it takes less signal in to achieve the same output levels as 6V6s.

All you have to do to convert is punch bigger holes where the EL84s were and wire in octal sockets. You may want to fudge some values in the phase splitter circuit to get more drive. Once you've done the conversion you'll have a modified amp that probably isn't worth as much as a stock amp if you decide to sell it.

I don't want to discourage you, but no 18 watt amp is going to sound 'punchy.'

You're kiddng, right?

Maybe so in a large room full of 'Wrecks, vintage Marshalls, the various offerings of Andy Fuchs and of course compared to your own heavyweight champion Hiwatt clone. On the other hand your best Angus Young impersonation through a cranked 18 watt in a crowded apartment block will have the cops knocking on your door in short order!

Next experiment: Bring an "average" 2 x EL84 head to a club gig with two Marshall 4 x 12" cabinets. Turn it all the way up. Tell the club owner it isn't "punchy" when he tells you to turn that damn thing down!

[dragonbat13]

Yea that was my other alternative. I Think I am gonna sell it

I am building a deluxe with a hoffman board. Maybe I will use the money to complete that amp.

I have an eric johnson strat with the blonde case and the amp is blonde also. I Like that they match. But whats the point when I really don't like the way the amp sounds.

[RJ Guitars]

Dragon - This is not so hard of a thing to do... I think there are several builders who might do this sorta thing... and I've got one friend (Jason Cox - Boozhound Labs) that is just kinda partial to Octal tubes. He did a very similar conversion on a Pro Junior amp - http://boozhoundlabs.com/bhl-15/

This is an awesome sounding amp. I wouldn't use the 6SN7 and 6SL7 unless your looking for things to do... I don't think they add to the final sound and they are more rare and expensive than good 12AX7 tubes... I have many close up pictures and even some CAD drawings. If you want more - send me a PM.

Jason has been working on these Pro Junior chassis on several projects... They are a great donor and I expect the Blues Junior to be very similar... PM me if you're inclined to get rid of it.

Also check out the S2 amps website... they do a lot of amp conversions.

rj

[mhuss]

I have an eric johnson strat with the blonde case and the amp is blonde also. I Like that they match.

So why not get your Deluxe cab built with blonde tolex.

--mark

[s2]

I say gut it and build something cool in that carcass! You can use 6V6s with it. Voltage is a tad low for 6V6s, but still sounds great and has about 15W output. I get a smaller sized octal socket from CE that fits the BJ's 1" hole perfectly.

[tunghaichuan]

How about using 6CM6 or 6AQ5 tubes? These are similar to the 6V6 in ratings but have lower power output (12W VS 14W for the 6V6GTA).

What is the B+ is the Blues Junior?

tung

[s2]

B+ is normally between 340 and 360. A little on the high side for 6AQ5s, but it could be dropped. I think you would have to make an adapter to get those little 7 pin sockets to work.

[mhuss]

Probably easier than trying to fit octals for the 6V6s!

--mark

[s2]

Probably easier than trying to fit octals for the 6V6s!

--mark

Nah! CE sells ceramic octal sockets the fit the standard 1" hole in the BJ. I put 6V6s in these amps all the time!

[Phil_S]

B+ is normally between 340 and 360. A little on the high side for 6AQ5s, but it could be dropped. I think you would have to make an adapter to get those little 7 pin sockets to work.

I agree. If that BJ is one with PC mount sockets, you could probably get 7-pin ones that could be jerry rigged to fit.

[klingo]

I've done a adapter( 1mm aluminium sheet) on mine when putting a 18lite inside with standard noval sockets. It took me 1 or 2 hours, may be going full octals even easier
A nice pair of 6V6s will need ~600mA less heater current than EL84s(~4watt saved on PT).
IMHO output transformer is the weakest part in this amp (tonaly speaking).