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.. why couldn't I change my tubes in my Mesa Stiletto Ace 1x12 combo from the stock EL34's to 6L6's? I mean, I'm not just gonna try it without knowing the consequences but I would like to hear how it sounds with the 6L6's.
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Bedroom level??
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Most likely you can. I don't have that schematic so I can't say 100%. But this is usually a very reasonable and simple modification. You can't just plug in the 6L6's though. The amp will need to be re-biased for the new tube type. Every Mesa amp I'm aware of uses fixed resistors for the bias supply so there would be some soldering involved. If your handy enough with electronics to FIND the bias supply or if you have a schematic we should be able to help you do it yourself. If you plan to do it yourself please look around the web and read everything you can find about safety when dealing with tube amps. These are not your average appliance. There can be stored charges of lethal voltage inside even with the amp unplugged. Otherwise you would need to find a tech to do it for you. It shouldn't cost much.
Chuck"Take two placebos, works twice as well." Enzo
"Now get off my lawn with your silicooties and boom-chucka speakers and computers masquerading as amplifiers" Justin Thomas
"If you're not interested in opinions and the experience of others, why even start a thread?
You can't just expect consent." Helmholtz -
FWIW in EL34s the suppressor grid (Pin 1) isn't wired to the cathode (Pin 8).
Whereas in a 6L6 the suppressor grid is wired to the cathode (Pin8) inside the bottle, and there is no connection on Pin 1. If your EL34 socket pin 1 was wired to socket pin 8 anyway, this wouldn't be an issue.
Then the bias needs changing (as Chuck H said)Building a better world (one tube amp at a time)
"I have never had to invoke a formula to fight oscillation in a guitar amp."- EnzoComment
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Actually if the amp is wired for El34s now, then the socket will work with 6L6s as there is nothing inside the 6L6 connected to lug 1 or 6 anyow.Originally posted by tubeswell View Post
However, as previously mentioned, all El34 amps seem to run with the bias voltage about 10-14vdc less negative then 6L6 amps, so the 6L6s tubes will be "under biased" and run hotter the blue blazes in this amp if the B+ voltage is high, as normally found in guitar amps.
Fix the bias voltage issue first...!Comment
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