express tubes choices?

[rockstah]

what r u express users using in your amp? el34? 6ca7? brands?

i have some NOS tubes ill be trying out was just curious what you guys prefer.

right now i have:

bugle boy V1
bugle boy V2
amperex v3
fat bottle 6ca7's for the output tubes


Mark

[908ssp]

I tried Amperex in V1 sounded pretty raucous, Mullard was bit sweeter but not much. I tried EL34, KT66, and 6550/KT88 they all sounded pretty good. I settled for the 6550/KT88 because it gave the amp more low end and just seemed to have a bit wider spectrum. I don't think it is the typical Express tone but I like it.

I have also compared it to another Express with EL34s using a Tone Bone Head Bone amp switcher which allows you to switch heads into the same cab. While the amps were built by the same builder they are ever so slightly different primarily because they were built at different times. So that was a good comparison I think. Mine sounded bigger more open a bit more EVH like and less bluesy.

I will be shocked if you don't like your amp once you have it tunned up.

[rockstah]

I tried Amperex in V1 sounded pretty raucous, Mullard was bit sweeter but not much. I tried EL34, KT66, and 6550/KT88 they all sounded pretty good. I settled for the 6550/KT88 because it gave the amp more low end and just seemed to have a bit wider spectrum. I don't think it is the typical Express tone but I like it.

I have also compared it to another Express with EL34s using a Tone Bone Head Bone amp switcher which allows you to switch heads into the same cab. While the amps were built by the same builder they are ever so slightly different primarily because they were built at different times. So that was a good comparison I think. Mine sounded bigger more open a bit more EVH like and less bluesy.

I will be shocked if you don't like your amp once you have it tunned up.

interesting - what is meant be "racous"?
and i am liking the amp already - very nice tone - from clean to "about to explode" - im liking it alot. but then again this is why i built it!

i have a whole bunch of mullards, rtf, sylvania, GE, rca's, amperex- i dont know much about tubes i must admit-

seems the 6ca7's are a little more harsh then the el34 - or maybe that isnt a good way to put it - the el34 compresses more than the more stable 6ca7 it seems.

wonder what you guys think,
Mark

[908ssp]

raucous = about to explode


Your experience with the 6CA7 is about what I would expect. Since the 6CA7 has more high end then an EL34 your hearing the high end harmonics and distortion artifacts more. My 6550/KT88s do that as well. I tamed it two ways I run the Mullards in the front and Tone Tubby or old Greenback speakers at the back.