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Post by bloozeman on Jul 1, 2018 17:31:13 GMT -7
Im reading that the Z lux can take 5881 tubes in place of 6v6, question: can it take 6L6? isnt the 5881 another name for a 6L6? is it safe to use 6L6?
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Post by John on Jul 2, 2018 4:00:46 GMT -7
They are not exactly the same. I would wait for Doc to comment.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Jul 2, 2018 6:48:35 GMT -7
I just checked the data sheets on these tubes. The 5881 is a similar tube to the 6L6, but they're not the same in a few ways. However, they do draw the same heater current. The heater current for a 5881 is 0.9A (or 900mA), and the 6L6 is the same, 0.9A (or 900mA). The 6V6 only pulls 0.45A, or 450mA. So it's twice the load, but Doc says 5881's are okay so I don't think it would hurt to try. For sure, I would give Don at Z amps repair a call to double check.
I ran the 5881 tube in my Z-Lux for about six months after I had a bad run of rattly 6V6 tubes. I had 2 quads in a row turn up rattling and the 5881 solved that issue. It was a good sounding tube but about a year ago I decided to give JJ another chance, since Doc was still using them. This time I got a GREAT sounding quad of 6V6's and it sounds terrific.
It happens to me every time I start trying to improve Z amps by tube changes or other stuff...I always end up back at the stock configuration. I think Z has the best set of ears in music; the man is gifted with not only knowing what sounds great but understanding how to configure a circuit to make it that way. But I digress...Give Z amps a call for confirmation, and please let us know what it sounds like if you do it.
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Jul 2, 2018 8:00:20 GMT -7
I agree with Dave, the only improvements or upgrades I make to Z my amps is to “install” Studio Slips covers on them.
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Post by frankie on Jul 2, 2018 11:04:23 GMT -7
You can use the 5881s on the Z-LUX. They sound great in it. More headroom. If I owned one, I would use this configuration. 5881s can be pricey compared to 6v6s but they sound great if you are trying to get a little more clean.
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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Jul 7, 2018 5:13:13 GMT -7
I like the JJ 6V6 tubes. They're definitely not a classic 6V6, to me they're kind of halfway between a 6V6 and 6L6. I don't like them in every application but when they match the amp and your intentions they're awesome. www.tubedepot.com/products/jj-6v6s-power-vacuum-tube
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Post by tonezone66 on Aug 1, 2018 10:04:36 GMT -7
You can use the 5881s on the Z-LUX. They sound great in it. More headroom. If I owned one, I would use this configuration. 5881s can be pricey compared to 6v6s but they sound great if you are trying to get a little more clean. How does it take gain pedals with 5881 - I mean how did your gain pedal tone change after the tube change? How about modulation pedals - chorus, delay for instance? Less compressed, more open, fuller or smt else?
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Post by scottunzicker on Aug 1, 2018 12:14:03 GMT -7
I went to the 5881s about a year ago, and have never gone back. If/when you do it, get a matched quad of medium grade Tung Sol 5881s, per Dr. Z's strong recommendation.
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Post by scottunzicker on Aug 1, 2018 12:43:19 GMT -7
They are not exactly the same. I would wait for Doc to comment. He already has. To wit: ztalk.proboards.com/thread/72751/5881s"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 daddyelmis (Greg) on Aug 1, 2018 13:29:47 GMT -7
I think the OPs real question was whether you can put 6L6s in the ZLux
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