Anyone know a fun circuit for two ECL86 (6GW8) power tubes?

[rp]

I was just given a pair of Telefunken ones along with other some small useless radio tubes. Maybe I can make these useful.

[Phil_S]

I think, for the most part, you can treat the triode section like half of a 12AX7 and the pentode like an EL84. It's not a perfect EL84, but pretty close. Take your pick of circuits. Tweed deluxe, 18W, parallel SE, etc. You might want to figure out what OT primary impedance is the better match for the pentode. I see it spec'd for 5900 ohms at Va=250, so, I'm thinking 6600 is better than 8000, both commonly found values for guitar amps.

[jon]

10W Trainwreck would be fun.

[tubeswell]

I'm sorry to say there is just about nothing you can do with those tubes at all - except put then in the mail to me. TIA

On a more helpful note here are a couple of circuits with typical EF86 gain stage values to get you thinking.

http://r-type.org/static/ecl86.htm

http://r-type.org/static/4-10.htm

http://r-type.org/static/2-3.htm

http://r-type.org/addtext/add071.htm

[rp]

Tubeswell: I have the Mullard book, good book, mine has the 3W and 10W amps using ECL82s and EL84s so I put it back on the shelf. I guess it's all online now.

So, should I build the 10W hifi amp plug a guitar into and see what happens? Anyone know of any tried and true guitar amps using these?

I read through the Mullard data - pretty neat tube. Definitely not going into the trash.

[Kagliostro]

http://licho.rowerpower.org/gitara/practic2_lite.gif

from here

http://www.el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=7277.0

Kagliostro

[statorvane]

Anyone know of any tried and true guitar amps using these?

The Marshall 1930 Popular amplifier used two ECL86s and one 12AX7. Supposed to sound pretty good at 10-13 watts.

http://www.amparchives.com/album/Marsha ... index.html

[gldtp99]

Don't laugh but the Bogen CHB20A circuit sounds great with a pair of ECL86 in AB1 push/pull--- and a 6eu7 for the preamp (circuit can be altered to use 12ax7).
Another member here has one i set up and he says he sometimes pulls it out to blow away hi-$$$ lo-watt boutique amps.
Paraphase PI, Fixed bias----very good sounding, aggressive circuit for guitar even in stock configuration---not really just like any other guitar amp circuit i'm aware of------ i've tweaked several of these in many different ways.
Schematic: http://www.el34world.com/charts/Schemat ... HB-20A.pdf

[jon]

Anyone know of any tried and true guitar amps using these?

The Marshall 1930 Popular amplifier used two ECL86s and one 12AX7. Supposed to sound pretty good at 10-13 watts.

http://www.amparchives.com/album/Marsha ... index.html

I built a few 1930's for people over the years. It is a really cool little amp but it has three flaws. One, the amp is only a single channel regardless of how it looks. Secondly, because the volume and tone controls are in series with your guitar pots the the amp is a little noisy, the amp is running flat out all the time. Lastly, the tremolo oscillator is a PIA to set up and is just OK when working.

If you are still interested I will be happy to forward you all my information, which is considerable) and my layout taken from a real amp.

[chopstuck]

I built one of my better sounding amps with the similar 6BM8. A little down on power but a great tube. I believe they are interchangable, roughly. I used salvage hammond iron,but a new TDS Spitfire choke. (TDS are truly stunning manufacturers of very fine transformers and chokes.)

I built a simple two stage 3 tube amp with a SS recto that tames the volume associated with those loud 18 watters without sacrificing those qualities usually lost to an attenuator.
Way better sounding than I thought it would be.

You can check out Da Geezers designs too. A+

[Cliff Schecht]

Same here, one of my favorite homebrews is a modified Champ type circuit with a switchable gain stage. That little amp through a 4x12 kicks out a LOT of sound..

[Markusv]

Build an 18 watt lite

I built 2 and they sing

The triode sections in the 2 power tubes make up the PI
Therefor only one preamp 12 ax7 needed

[rdjones]

I have a Univox U45B, with 2 6BM8's cathode biased.
Maybe 8watts downhill with a tailwind.
I put an SRO12 in to try to gig with but it wasn't enough with the drummer.
Sounds nice though.
Hopefully those 6GW8's are a bit more capable.

rd

[Markusv]

my 6GW8's are more than capable
Treat the screens with care and you can run decent voltages on the plates
Pretty loud. Not quite 18 watts but around 13 watts I would say

[10thTx]

Pin out on 6BM8 and 6GW8 is different.

I built a HoSo56 with 6BM8's. Nice amp. Very touch sensitive with good harmonics. It was about 7-9 watts. Geezer came up with the HoSo56.

Here is a version that I drew up for you with 6GW8's. Not sure I drew the pinout correct? And I'm not sure what value cathode resistor you'd need? But hopefully you get the idea.

with respect, 10thtx