Tube Conversion Question ... NEW IDEA

[Len]

For a while now I have been liking the sound of my Orange Tiny Terror a little better than the sound of my Orange Rockerverb 50. The Tiny Terror uses (2) EL84's and (2) 12AX7's and the Rockerverb (1st generation) uses (4) 6V6's and (4) 12AX7's. I must be tone retarded or something, but I just can seem to like amps that use 6L6's or 6V6's. Something about EL34's and EL84's in amps that rock my world.

I want to change the 6V6's to EL84's in the Rockerverb and hear how it sounds. Would it be better to have someone change the sockets or get some of these apapters?

http://www.vhtamp.com/products/vht-accessories/special-6-el84-adapter

Will they work in my amp? I don't know much about Cathode Bias, Grid Voltage, What Women Want, Class A Circuitry .... Etc.

Any Opinions, Suggestions and/or Wisdom would be greatly appreciated ...

[JohnnyThunders]

No expert but I followed amp discussions for a few years on lots of the forums. I followed what the amp builders said, not the regulars. I remember Randall Aiken saying that pre-amp tubes and power tubes are not the most important thing in determining the amps sound but the circuits, plate voltage and all the other majic stuff these guys do. They do contribute but not the end all.

From my expereince, I had a small Peters and a Matamp that could run different tubes without re-biasing. I didn't hear a really big difference between the tubes myself other than I like the el34's sounded a little better.

I don't think it would be worth having the amp re-done to take different tubes. I would do more research on the adapters, but it was me I won't do it.

After going thu tons of amps, I found that it doesn't really matter what the pre-amp and power tube configuration the amp has but how does it sound.

FYI, I had both the amps you have and liked the Rockerverb better. But I sold it.

[Turdus]

VHT used to make great amps. But the name was sold. Steve Fryette (VHT Founder) used to reply to email. Before I bought that VHT branded adapter, I'd email, or call, and see if he offers one, or if the VHT branded one was his design.

Fryette Amps here: http://www.sfdamp.com/

[velorush]

I don't know anything about the VHT converters, but have you thought about THD Yellow Jackets to convert to EL-84s?

They've been around a really long time, inexpensive and an instant conversion - no permanent modification to the amp. I was going to go with these in my Fender Supersonic before buying Carfish's Mesa Subway Blues absolutely ruined me for the SS and I sold it.

[murkat]

nothing to add.

the converters are standard fair now, that may get you close...

but an el84 amp is an el84 amp, etc.

the converters are just that... character of a true to a conversion will not yeild same results.

[Len]

Thanks everyone ... I have a new idea ... can I put 2 - EL34's in 2 of the 4 -6v6 sockets? If so ... which 2 sockets?

[Uncle Thor's Hamer]

I don't know much about Cathode Bias, Grid Voltage, What Women Want, Class A Circuitry .... Etc.

Any Opinions, Suggestions and/or Wisdom would be greatly appreciated ...

http://www.amazon.com/The-Manual-What-Women-Want/dp/1456494554/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1384471033&sr=8-5&keywords=what+women+want

[carfish7]

Thanks everyone ... I have a new idea ... can I put 2 - EL34's in 2 of the 4 -6v6 sockets? If so ... which 2 sockets?

I wouldn't. I can't explain exactly why, but I would not do this without consulting a true expert.

[AdmiralB]

Thanks everyone ... I have a new idea ... can I put 2 - EL34's in 2 of the 4 -6v6 sockets? If so ... which 2 sockets?

Not a good idea, without further information.

EL34s require a slightly different socket wiring; most amps are wired to accept either (the two different setups can be compatible), but some aren't (all vintage Fenders, for example).

EL34s require a lot more filament current than 6V6s - one EL34 needs a little more current than three 6V6s, so unless you *know* that the power transformer can supply that much current, it's a bad idea.

A pair of EL34s has a very similar impedance compared to four 6V6s, so from that perspective you'd be OK. But without the power transformer specs and a look at the socket wiring, I would not do it.

[bubs_42]

EL34s require a lot more filament current than 6V6s - one EL34 needs a little more current than three 6V6s, so unless you *know* that the power transformer can supply that much current, it's a bad idea.

THIS ^^^^^

Not a good idea. 6v6 to 6l6 maybe but not EL34's. Messing witht he Egnater Tweaker as much as I did let me learn alot. You can swapp 6v6 EL34, 5881's, 6l6's. Tone changed a little, maybe a little bump in an Eq up or down but it did not change the sound of the amp. 6v6 to EL34 was just a little change in Headroom and some movement in the Midrange.

[Len]

I checked with the people on the Orange Amp forum and one of the administators, (the guy who actually designed the amp), said it was OK to run 2 - EL34's, He built it that way with the potential switch in mind ..... just need to adjust the Bias .... Thanks for everyone's help ....