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Post by tonezone66 on Feb 3, 2017 2:28:02 GMT -7
Hi I noticed that one member in this site said that he's got 5881 tubes in his Z-Lux, changed from the original 6V6s. Am I right thinking 5881s are equal to 6L6s? It came as a surprise that you can change the 6V6s of Z-Lux into 5881s without any rebiasing or other modification? Could I use also regular 6L6s or other tubes as well? How would it change the tone and the whole anatomy of the sound of Z-Lux? I bought my Z-Lux only 2 months ago and I have to admit that I miss the 6L6s my Two Rock Studio Pro 35 had - the rock solid, firm bottom etc. I like the color ot the tone of Z-Lux but I'd like to think that Z-Lux with 6L6 tubes could be the perfect amp for me. Really liked to know. Sorry that I'm a total amateur when it comes to technology of the amps. Maybe I've just misunderstood something. Read more: ztalk.proboards.com/thread/74517/speaker-cabrecommendation-lux-ezg?page=1#ixzz4Xc1Lcp00
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Post by scottunzicker on Feb 7, 2017 13:36:20 GMT -7
Howdy, tonezone. In short, I think it's fair to say that you can think of the 6V6, 5881, and 6L6 power tubes as three brothers, little, middle, and big, in that order. They're all similar in tone, but increasing in power. If memory serves, a 6V6 can dissipate a maximum of 14 watts, a 5881 around 23-25, and a 6L6 runs around 30 watts max in a classic AB/push-pull amplifier. Here's a quick rundown: www.thetubestore.com/Resources/Product-Reviews/6L6-Tube-ReviewsAnd to answer your question, Dr Z swapped in a matched quad of medium grade Tung-Sol 5881s into a ZLux, and seemed pleased with the results.
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Post by tonezone66 on Feb 8, 2017 2:16:24 GMT -7
Thanks for sharing your info & views!
I was told only a couple of days ago that the lack of the firmness, solidness etc. has more to do with the cathode bias nature of the amp. So I should go for a fixed bias amp to truly get the basic nature of the sound & tone I'm after. I guess these are pretty elementary facts that I only recently learned...
I guess a bigger headroom would be the most audible benefit I'd achieve by changing to 5881s? Think I'll give it a try at least when the factory tubes crack.
I'll get myself anyway another amp to accompany Z-Lux this spring. Maybe go back to Two Rock Studio Pro (with a head & a cab this time), Reeves Custom 50 / Space Cowboy or Dr Z EZG50. Maybe also Bad Cat Cubiii 40 though it's another kind of beast.
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Post by MacStevenXIII on Feb 8, 2017 5:10:06 GMT -7
I just picked up a quad of RI Tung-Sol 5881s. I'll be throwing them in my Z-Lux to see how they sound within the next week or so. I'll definitely report back my findings but I assume they will be exactly what Z has said, I can't speak for all NOS 5881's, but I have installed a quad of medium range TungSol RI 5881, plug-n-play no bias adjust, and they sounded great. Much more Fender like in its tone, like a mini Fender Twin reverb ... sort of. A bit more bite, cleaner overall, and an increase in power. Z
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Post by tonezone66 on Feb 8, 2017 14:51:53 GMT -7
Definitely interesting to hear your report then, MacStevenXIII. Don't need more bite at all but nice to see if you'll find any change in the firmness and the nature of the mids and treble.
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Post by scottunzicker on Feb 9, 2017 11:48:36 GMT -7
MacSteveXIII - I, too, would love to hear your impressions before and after the 5881 swap.
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