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Post by arniez on Jul 10, 2005 15:58:11 GMT -7
Has anyone tried a set of the JJ 6V6's in their Z28 and what did you think? Just curious, before I go changing tubes and re-biasing! ArnieZ
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Post by pcrosta on Jul 11, 2005 9:43:49 GMT -7
My new Z-28 head came with the groove tubes JJ 6V6 tubes..first off..the filaments rattle..everyone at Groove tubes was so surprised as they said that the JJ's are overbuilt..my experience with JJ tubes 6V6, 6L6, El84 and El34..I have tried all of these..they all develop filament rattle..Groove tubes replaced the 6V6's with a new set..took 2 weeks to get..guess what...1 tube rattled..go figure...as far as the sound..they are brighter than the Russian tubes..same bottom end..but my opinion..not worth the headache..I prefer the 6v6-R tubes..seem more sturdy..a little darker sounding..but I like that anyway..
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Post by Laroosco!! on Jul 11, 2005 10:18:42 GMT -7
The GT 6V6's in the Z28 are Electro Harmonix.
I had 2 sets in my Z28 and never had a problem. The Dr builds these amps around these tubes for a reason IMO. I know people wwho have used JJ6V6's in their Z28 and I've heard nothing but great things. The one comment I hear over and over is that the JJ's sound more like a 6L6 than a 6V6.
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Post by arniez on Jul 11, 2005 11:49:39 GMT -7
I thought that the Z28 also shipped with the EH 6v6GTR as well. I can't see why Dr Z would change that, but you never know. Still curious to hear what they sound like. ArnieZ
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Post by myles on Jul 11, 2005 13:43:25 GMT -7
My amp was supplied with #6 GT-6V6R which is the EH tube. They were great. I also have used the 6V6S (JJ) in the amp and had no problems. I have used the JJ in other 6V6 amps with very good result. The JJ 6V6 is really well built and is somewhat closer to my ears to a 6L6 than the other 6V6 tubes. This is not good or bad, just an observance.
The JJ 6V6 was tested my me at 475 plate volts and 28mA of idle at this plate voltage.
A safe bias in this setup would have been 15-18mA. At 28mA we were over 90% ID .... not good at all but in any case the amp ran (Super Reverb) for two hours before it was shut down by choice.
50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 15 18 21 24 27 29
In any case, they are pretty nice tubes but do sound different than a 6V6R. In the end it will be personal taste.
Electro Harmonix has a new "Tung Sol" 6V6. It is looking to be a very nice tube. It really bears little in common with the original in a number of areas (the plate material is a completely different alloy) but the tube is nicely built and traces very nicely. My hat is off to the EH folks for giving players one more nice 6L6 option.
I will be testing these in a Z-28, Deluxe Reverb, and tweed Deluxe in the next few weeks.
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Post by myles on Jul 11, 2005 13:47:26 GMT -7
Has anyone tried a set of the JJ 6V6's in their Z28 and what did you think? Just curious, before I go changing tubes and re-biasing! ArnieZ Arnie Z .... I looked for your location in your member profile and it was not there. So ..... if you are close to Los Angeles I would be happy to let you try a set of JJ's and I'd be happy to rebias the amp for you .... and put it back if you do not like the JJ's .... at no charge .... because .... you are on this forum and you happend to register at this forum on my birthday! By the way .... you can get the JJ's wherever .... this free bias deal has nothing to do with whether you get these tubes from GT or from any other source. If you want to see what they are like first I can pull some out of an amp of mine and let your try them first.
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Post by arniez on Jul 11, 2005 18:31:46 GMT -7
Myles, Thanks for the offer, I am in CT on the East Coast and don't anticipate being out west with my amp. I haven't checked your site recently, but at one time you had a picture of my Z28 and 4x10 cab on your site. ArnieZ
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Post by myles on Oct 27, 2005 11:57:37 GMT -7
Myles, Thanks for the offer, I am in CT on the East Coast and don't anticipate being out west with my amp. I haven't checked your site recently, but at one time you had a picture of my Z28 and 4x10 cab on your site. ArnieZ Arnie, If you are ever out this way even without the amp I will give you something to take home. If you ever were in my Z-Players page you are still there ... once there you stay there unless you ask to be removed.
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Post by kledbet on Sept 1, 2006 20:03:15 GMT -7
To go back to the original thought.... I like the JJ's in this amp. As you probably know they have a little more of a 6l6 sound. They have a sweeter tone and are more extended especially in the bass. I think they are the most unique sounding 6v6 ever made.... and I have about $400 in NOS 6V6 tubes. The JJ's are there own thing, with a really great tone... give them a try. If you want early tweed sound use the EH or the newer very fine Tung Sol tubes.
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Post by texasjim on Sept 2, 2006 7:45:10 GMT -7
myles: You just sent me two GT6V6C tubes, for spares. They have a "1" on the left side of the label and "GCD" on the other. I assume the "1" is the Rating System number. What's "GCD"?
I didn't request a specific rating number, but I think "1" will suit me and my playing style with my Z-28 2-10 just fine.
Texas Jim in St. Croix
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Post by StrangeC on Sept 28, 2006 17:20:48 GMT -7
Myles, was just curious how your test of 6V6s came out? Shopping for a new set for my Z28 and weighing the GT6V6S and 6V6C against the 6V6R... or JJ or NOS... Thoughts anyone?
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Post by Stumpy on Sept 29, 2006 3:03:51 GMT -7
I had one of the original GT6V6R's that my Z-28 shipped with go on me a few weeks back and replaced with JJ's, they sound real nice and I have been pleased with them in this amp.
BTW, I e-mailed Doc if he had any recomendations on bias settings of the JJ's vs the 6V6R's and he promplty replied and also mentioned he is now putting them in Z-28's.
For reference, here is his comments on biasing JJ's in a Z-28:
"The JJ’s do bias differently.
Measure the Bias voltage to be -29 Volts at the grid feed to the 6V6’s.
I set the bias using the shunt method to achieve 28 mA per tube with the JJ’s.
I to am using the JJ 6V6’s ( Groove Tube 6V6 – S ) on new Z-28’s."
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Post by u2radio on Oct 26, 2006 22:24:36 GMT -7
Myles, what do you feel are the best tubes to put in each position? I live about an hour from Los Angeles and would be willing to come out and have you do the biasing and possibly buy tubes from you. do you sell NOS? The tubes are my z28 are pretty much the garbage the guy that I bought it from had in it. Its a bit trebbly, and breaks up a bit later than other 28's i've played, and it also seems to be a pinch less touch sensitive, thats probably the fact that i'm an awful player. haha. please let me know
Jordan
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