Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: Ritchie200 on February 14, 2020, 01:03:52 am

Title: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: Ritchie200 on February 14, 2020, 01:03:52 am
I've been watching the trend for manufacturers going to smaller lunch box size tube heads with multiple wattage selections.  For example: Marshall Mini Jubilee, Peavey 6505, Boogie Mini Rectifier 25, Friedman Dirty Shirley, Rivera Venus, Orange Terror, etc, etc.  Most are EL84 based PP amps and no matter what they put in front of them, it seems they are all in the Marshall 18 watt tone territory.  Average sonic performance tradeoff for less watts....  Yawn....


One of my fave players (shut up SG and Ed!) is Mark Tremonti of Alter Bridge and Creed fame.  He was using Boogies and Bogners for distortion and Fender Twins for clean in concert and in the studio. He then switched to the PRS Archon and dumped his Bogner.  PRS approached him about building a signature lunchbox amp and he laughed at them saying they all sound like dung.  They kept sending him samples and he kept sending them back saying they didnt have enough balls.  They went from EL84's to 6V6's and he still rejected them.  As a joke he told them to put 6L6's in there like the Archon and they would have something, thinking it would be impossible.  So they did and the PRS Mark Tremonti MT15 was born.  Obviously they are loafing big time at 15 much less 7 watts?!?!  I have scoured the web looking for a schematic and have come up empty.  How the heck did they do this and keep the 6L6 in an operational range where it still sounds even half way decent at that wattage?  Reviews are very good talking about the big bold sound.  It also has 6(!!!) ECC83's in there as well - oh yeah!  The only complaint is that it is certainly voiced to Mark's taste - and that may not be your thing.  Mark talks about not liking the mush of the EL34 and liking the big sound of the KT88 and thinks the 6L6 is the the best of both worlds.  Bah...  Maybe I can wedge some KT88's in there....  Mark actually used the MT15 in the studio on the last Alter Bridge album, which says a lot as he is a major gear head with unlimited access.  The reviews complain about how loud it is.  Mark said he would use it live but it is not near loud enough so he needs his 100 watt Archons.  You gotta like a guy that still makes some noise on stage!  I would sure like to know how PRS pulled this off.


Jim


https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MT15H--prs-mark-tremonti-mt15-15-7-watt-tube-head (https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MT15H--prs-mark-tremonti-mt15-15-7-watt-tube-head)
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: VMS on February 14, 2020, 03:01:58 am
Back panel says bias adjustment 25-30 mVolts. So if we assume there is 1 Ohm resistors from cathode to ground, not that much current flowing thru those 6L6 tubes.


They might have just used 6V6 design and put 6L6 tubes in it  :dontknow:
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: shooter on February 14, 2020, 05:38:18 am
Quote
if we assume

 :icon_biggrin:

or there's really big plate B+ and a 10 Ω
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: d95err on February 14, 2020, 07:48:45 am
It’s just a matter of using lower voltages. Power scaling works really well, especially if the whole amp is optimized for one (or a few) fixed lower  voltages. The Marshall Studio series 20/5W amps with EL34s is a prime example.

Seems to be a general trend that manufacturers have realized that big tubes at low voltage is often better than small tubes at high voltage, for lower output.
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: tubenit on February 14, 2020, 09:00:30 am
Yeah,  I think power scaling is likely also.  You can do that to just the power tubes ………. OR power tubes and LTPI.

With respect, Tubenit
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: Ritchie200 on February 14, 2020, 10:35:58 am
I get that - but on such a “big” tube like a 6L6 I would think at 7 watts it is way outside it’s “normal” range of operation and would get pretty ragged sounding?  I don’t have one to see but the reviews claim it stays bold and the soundclips seem to bear that out. Anderton Music really wrung it out (those guys are hilarious!) and even I was impressed as I am not a fan of the 6L6. At all. Not even...


Jim


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ndXz3PQLPaY (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ndXz3PQLPaY)
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: 66Strat on February 14, 2020, 10:50:52 am
The load line has a significant impact. Notice the change in output in the attached operating points when just the load line is changed.

Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: SILVERGUN on February 14, 2020, 12:15:44 pm
I get that
Do ya?
Sounds like you don't really want the answer.
I know....maybe there are little grid gremlins, or cathode critters, or the OTs are made from fairy dust? :dontknow:

At your age you should know better than to believe every amp review you read on The Gear Page.
I can hear it now:
- This is the greatest amp ever, period!! When I play it on 10 in the closet of my mom's basement it sounds EXACTLY like Creed's first album, which by the way was waaayyyyy better than the 5th album that no one heard! So all you haters better get it straight. It sounds so good with my Tremonti signature PRS Korean firewood special that my neighbors, sisters, cousins friend came over and asked "Is that Higher you keep playing over and over again?"

C'mon man...
Be better
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: VMS on February 14, 2020, 12:46:50 pm
This video shows transformer specs etc.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJ_5obZJFbA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJ_5obZJFbA)
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: SILVERGUN on February 14, 2020, 01:05:28 pm
V
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: sds1 on February 14, 2020, 01:41:44 pm
So I only skimmed the video, but that 120R-25W wirewound resistor is added into circuit how to achieve 7W mode? If it's simply in parallel with the speaker, I don't understand the 120R value choice. I guess because 120R would only make a negligible difference to load impedance?
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: DummyLoad on February 14, 2020, 01:43:09 pm
i was going to reply triode mode sw for the 7w option. seeing those pics would indicate they are switching taps on the OT primary.


6L6 are loafing @ 15w but still sound killer. had a bogen 15w PA amp that used 6L6GB for 15w - great little tone monster.


--pete
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: VMS on February 14, 2020, 01:59:20 pm
My guess is that the 120R resistor is there to drop either plate or screen voltage (or both) on the 7W setting.


Same OT might be used on multiple amplifiers so cheaper to order bunch of them with two primary options, who knows.
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: DummyLoad on February 14, 2020, 06:32:01 pm
thinking that amp may be something similar to attachment... with the noted exception that the parent is likely cathode biased, and i have fixed depicted.


--pete
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: Ritchie200 on February 14, 2020, 07:42:45 pm
Dear SG,


Per Tony's comment on his excellent video review, your just some "...forum member mouthing off against him".  Your just jealous of Mark Tremonti's song writing and super human shreadmeister capabilities.  Just because you play your Hello Kitty guitar in the closet of your mom's basement singing into your Disney Frozen 2 microphone, doesn't mean anyone else does. And by the way, when you reach my age, you don't believe anyone and hate just about everyone - especially some forum member who isn't a Creed fan.


To my friends,


I'm like Tony, how the heck do they make this at that build quality and price point?  Yeah I know the workers are paid once a month with what barely covers their food.  I'm just talking about parts.  Pretty cool amp.  Thanks to all who replied and thank you VMS for the video link, I had not seen that one.  I'd still like to see the schematic for this.

edit: I keep forgetting to expand on my "I understand power scaling" comment.  I would think taking a tube of this capability down to the 7 watt territory would wipe out the headroom - and that doesn't appear to be the case.

Jim


oops I see Pete has something
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: HotBluePlates on February 14, 2020, 09:28:14 pm
... PRS Mark Tremonti MT15 was born.  ...  How the heck did they do this and keep the 6L6 in an operational range where it still sounds even half way decent at that wattage?  ...

If you want to run push-pull 6L6 at 15w output power, the answer is right on page 2 of RCA's 1934 data sheet (https://frank.pocnet.net/sheets/021/6/6L6.pdf).  Just run them at 250v plate & screen with a load of ~5kΩ.

It's a very easy thing to run an output tube for less power than everything it can deliver.

The small bias voltage for the 15w 6L6s also means phase inverter design is trivial, and having a bunch of preamp tubes just allows a bunch of accessory-functions, or plenty of stages for a high-gain preamp before the master volume.
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: sds1 on February 15, 2020, 08:38:56 am
If you want to run push-pull 6L6 at 15w output power, the answer is right on page 2 of RCA's 1934 data sheet (https://frank.pocnet.net/sheets/021/6/6L6.pdf).  Just run them at 250v plate & screen with a load of ~5kΩ.
Then you're biasing to like 70mA.

Not arguing with the merits of this approach to low-wattage 6L6GC, but in this case (The PRS MT-15) we know the tubes are biased to 30mA +/- mA.

Loaded B+ is probably right around 400VDC, even IF the power tubes are getting B+ the 30mA bias is still super cold.

Hmm.
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: HotBluePlates on February 15, 2020, 09:18:01 pm
If you want to run push-pull 6L6 at 15w output power, the answer is right on page 2 of RCA's 1934 data sheet (https://frank.pocnet.net/sheets/021/6/6L6.pdf).  Just run them at 250v plate & screen with a load of ~5kΩ.
Then you're biasing to like 70mA.

Not arguing with the merits of this approach to low-wattage 6L6GC, but in this case (The PRS MT-15) we know the tubes are biased to 30mA +/- mA. ...

Who cares exactly how PRS did it?  If the basic question is, "How can 6L6GC deliver only 15w," then the data sheet shows how.

If you just want to knock down power output, lower the screen voltage.  Take any 40w Fender amp with 400v plate & screen and knock the screen voltage down to 150-200v.  At 200v, peak plate current won't go much above 125mA and a 4kΩ OT will only deliver (0.125A2 * 2000Ω)/2 = ~15 watts.

If you reduce screen voltage further to 150v, plate current is capped near 75mA for about 5.6 watts in the same load.  The top graph on page 6 of the 6L6GC data sheet (https://frank.pocnet.net/sheets/093/6/6L6GC.pdf) shows how screen voltage reduction constrains plate current.

As long as you're designing an amp rather than modifying an existing amp, shooting for lower power is very easy to do.  If you must get exactly the way PRS did it, you need to open up a MT-15 and see.  Though the Class AB condition with 360v plate, 270v screen and 3.8kΩ OT is mighty close at 18 watts output and an idle current of 44mA per tube.  A slightly lower screen voltage would reduce plate current (idle and peak) as well as power even more.
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: Ritchie200 on February 16, 2020, 01:59:11 am
Well the reason I’d like to know how PRS did it is it sounds pretty darn good. We know the transformer specs and it looks like a full wave rect so you figure ~425 on the plates. I also like how it’s voiced. Pete’s layout shows a 2204 two tube style pre.  I’ve heard several reviews state all 5 tubes are used on the gain channel.  Still lots of questions - at least for me. My original question pertained more to overall performance as well as how the heck do they get 7 watts out of this thing.  Just not used to big tubes being used this way.


Jim
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: VMS on February 16, 2020, 05:01:20 am
I think the 15/7 numbers are more for marketing...
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: VMS on February 16, 2020, 08:08:05 am
  I’ve heard several reviews state all 5 tubes are used on the gain channel.

Jim


You can see the tube chart here:


https://www.prsguitars.com/support/manuals (https://www.prsguitars.com/support/manuals)


Two and half tubes for lead channel, one and half for clean. One for loop and one for phase inverter.



Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: SILVERGUN on February 16, 2020, 08:34:05 am
I’ve heard several reviews state all 5 tubes are used on the gain channel. 
10 triodes?
That had to sound pretty unreasonable even to someone as unreasonable as you.
But, I guess if they are all lit up they must be in use, so maybe basement boy is on to something and PRS is trying to throw us off.
It might take 10 triodes to make Tremonti sound good? :dontknow:


I HEARD that he has special tone socks that he wears in the studio...soooooo?


Lowered voltages + 10 triodes + tone socks = your answer
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: Ritchie200 on February 16, 2020, 02:30:56 pm
Thanks VMS, I have seen that.  However, you dangle the worm deep enough and the bottom feeder is sure to hit it!  Case in point:


SG, it would probably take more than twice that many triodes to rein in Mark's monster playing - this is his practice amp after all.  I have special tone shorts so I would not be surprised if Mark has the socks.  Besides, I would buy this PRS effort any day over your "customized KT88/6L6 stereo multiplex quad surround multi-cab vario unbalanced sonical marvel" that you cobbled together with welding transformers and bailing twine.  I have to put a sheet over my amp so the KT88 juju is not upset whenever I talk about your "effort".


VMS, yes I think the 15/7 rating is a marketing ploy to fit into the lunchbox catagory.  sds1 and I have been chatting about this via PM and there are guys playing out with this amp and they are able to easily "get over" the drummer.  I find that hard to believe with just a 15 watt amp.  I wonder what it is actually pushing.  It sure does a lot of things well.  That's why this thing interests me so much.  Again, thanks to all who have taken the time to post, I appreciate it!


Jim
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: shooter on February 16, 2020, 03:22:08 pm
Quote
It sure does a lot of things well.
of course the amp does, the more knobs the better; when you can't play you need something that makes you sound good  :icon_biggrin:

Note; I like Creed, and Dr. Hook and Nappy Roots and STP and and and and
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: HotBluePlates on February 16, 2020, 03:54:04 pm
Well the reason I’d like to know how PRS did it is it sounds pretty darn good. ...

Buy the amp, open it up & document it, then sell it.  :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: Ritchie200 on February 16, 2020, 04:14:49 pm
If I did that Silvergun would be badgering me on how it works and he is just barely tolerable now.  I would have to do it on the sly.  Anyone interested can PM me - oh crap I just triggered Fear Of Missing Out in him.  Sorry SG, I was just kidding!  Nothing to see here!  Move along....


Jim
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: SILVERGUN on February 16, 2020, 04:24:25 pm

I'll do it and trade you for some of those 88s you got squirrled away.
Whats it worth to ya?
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: DummyLoad on February 16, 2020, 04:36:52 pm
whilst you two roast each other, some of us are actually trying to get some work done. play nice you two.

i would love to see this amp come to life with a real guitar player who's playing a proper telecaster.

my take on what may be. may not be, what it shall be?

from some still captures from the videos -
1) looks like triode/pentode switching for 15W/7W select.
2) low volt DC for preamps and filaments is hanging off the 6.3V secondary.
3) possibly one triode is unused or both sections are strapped in parallel.
4) forgive my FX loop - never designed one - that's my take on where to start.
5) voltages are guesstimates. don't have a MT15 to reverse engineer, but honestly for 700bux, can you build one for that, accounting for time & materials, etc.?

just looking at that packed in PCB, makes ma haid hurted. if you like the amp, you should just buy one.

today, i can't even get the polarity right on a bypass cap - so take those attachments with a grain of salt... l8r g8rs.

--pete
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: Ritchie200 on February 16, 2020, 07:03:19 pm
"i would love to see this amp come to life with a real guitar player who's playing a proper telecaster."


Ok, this is the most inflammatory thing that has been said or inferred on this thread...  Gosh Pete, Silvergun and I are friends - and I thought you were my friend as well.  I guess I need to re-evaluate that now.  Geez, way to throw a wet blanket on a serious topic.

I will try to look past this grave offense to myself and my friend Silvergun until I decide on our friendship and keep the subject on track.

I know this is your interpretation of what you are seeing.  Do you really think the power switch is for triode/pentode operation?

Jim
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: Ritchie200 on February 16, 2020, 08:03:26 pm
Well this is interesting.  A very long video with the result being ~25 watts


Jim


Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: tubenit on February 17, 2020, 06:58:52 am
Quote
forgive my FX loop - never designed one - that's my take on where to start

Pete,  I really like that FX loop and I think it's well thought out!  My experimenting around with FX loops (to get them sounding like I want) and modifying them sort of has my thinking heading that direction.  Good job!

I really appreciate your insight into amp building and all the great innovative designs that you share!   :thumbsup:
Your contribution to the forum is generous and remarkable!  Thanks!  I find myself saving the majority of the designs you post.

With respect, Tubenit
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: shooter on February 17, 2020, 07:13:36 am
Quote
10 triodes?

Quote
Well this is interesting

Agreed!, I've never seen an amp that has 1 knob for each triode, and bonus, you get 2 switches for free  :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: Willabe on February 17, 2020, 08:51:48 am
I've never seen an amp that has 1 knob for each triode, and bonus, you get 2 switches for free  :icon_biggrin:

Ohhh, Free switches!!!!!    :l2:
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: DummyLoad on February 17, 2020, 08:57:59 am
"i would love to see this amp come to life with a real guitar player who's playing a proper telecaster."


Ok, this is the most inflammatory thing that has been said or inferred on this thread...  Gosh Pete, Silvergun and I are friends - and I thought you were my friend as well.  I guess I need to re-evaluate that now.  Geez, way to throw a wet blanket on a serious topic.

I will try to look past this grave offense to myself and my friend Silvergun until I decide on our friendship and keep the subject on track.

I know this is your interpretation of what you are seeing.  Do you really think the power switch is for triode/pentode operation?

Jim

oh suck it up buttercup! yes' we are cyber friends. indeed, but as friends we can "tell it like it is, no?"  gave up up the blankey a couple of years ago, shrink sad it was "time to let go..." so, put the soggy amp on one of yer whiny strat playin' pals.

on to more serious subject matter - yes i believe that they are triode/pentode switching. see attached circled part. pardon the poor Q of the pix - 1MB post size limit.

also, it looks like they have left one triode unused or it's bonded parallel to another - don't see any traces on the bottom of the board - second from right - pins 6-7-8.

--pete
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: DummyLoad on February 17, 2020, 09:11:14 am
Quote
forgive my FX loop - never designed one - that's my take on where to start

Pete,  I really like that FX loop and I think it's well thought out!  My experimenting around with FX loops (to get them sounding like I want) and modifying them sort of has my thinking heading that direction.  Good job!

I really appreciate your insight into amp building and all the great innovative designs that you share!   :thumbsup:
Your contribution to the forum is generous and remarkable!  Thanks!  I find myself saving the majority of the designs you post.

With respect, Tubenit

thank you for the kind words & your contributions as well. need to build a 50W TOS one of these days.

--pete
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: jojokeo on February 17, 2020, 12:07:56 pm
Where’s the reverb and tremolo on this thing? And you call it an amp...  :laugh:
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: VMS on February 17, 2020, 12:11:48 pm
In the video link i posted, guy was saying that te 120R/25W resistor was connected to the half power switch, so i still think its for lowering voltage. But on the other hand usually that type of switch is pentode triode switch so who knows.


As for the design I'm thinking, since there are not that many new designs in amp building, this MT15 could be very close to soldanonish design, who knows.


All high gain amps i see demoed sound pretty much the same to my ears.
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: SILVERGUN on February 17, 2020, 12:30:44 pm
In the video link i posted, guy was saying that te 120R/25W resistor was connected to the half power switch, so i still think its for lowering voltage. But on the other hand usually that type of switch is pentode triode switch so who knows.
I was staring at some pics I snagged off of the video and...  :dontknow:
Following the orange wire that comes off of it, it appears to go to that pentode/triode switch
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: HotBluePlates on February 17, 2020, 01:07:11 pm
Who cares exactly how PRS did it?  If the basic question is, "How can 6L6GC deliver only 15w," then the data sheet shows how. ...
Well this is interesting.  A very long video with the result being ~25 watts ...

 :laugh:  Again... we're down to whether the point is debating the PRS amp, or building a 10-15 watt amp with "big power tubes."  The latter is not that hard.
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: Ritchie200 on February 17, 2020, 06:58:37 pm
"oh suck it up buttercup! yes' we are cyber friends. indeed, but as friends we can "tell it like it is, no?"  gave up up the blankey a couple of years ago, shrink sad it was "time to let go..." so, put the soggy amp on one of yer whiny strat playin' pals."

 :l2:

"Again... we're down to whether the point is debating the PRS amp, or building a 10-15 watt amp with "big power tubes."  The latter is not that hard."


Oh come on!  Let me have some fun!  I was able to send Silvergun into Mark Tremonti/Creed convulsions - that was worth the price of admission alone!


Thank you guys for digging so deep, I do appreciate it!


Jim
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: d95err on February 18, 2020, 01:55:14 am

:laugh:  Again... we're down to whether the point is debating the PRS amp, or building a 10-15 watt amp with "big power tubes."  The latter is not that hard.

If we go down the latter path, the difficulty (for a DIY builder) seems to be finding a suitable power transformer.

Most available transformers with heater current enough for big bottle tubes and a few preamp tubes are big and with high anode voltage.

In addition, you probably want a separate and higher anode voltage for the preamp. This may require a separate HV winding.

You could use a big transformer and use a Mosfet circuit to bring the voltage down (power scaling). However that means adding unnecessary weight and generating a lot of waste heat.

How would you approach this?

Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: HotBluePlates on February 18, 2020, 07:57:24 pm

:laugh:  Again... we're down to whether the point is debating the PRS amp, or building a 10-15 watt amp with "big power tubes."  The latter is not that hard.

If we go down the latter path, the difficulty (for a DIY builder) seems to be finding a suitable power transformer.

Most available transformers with heater current enough for big bottle tubes and a few preamp tubes are big and with high anode voltage.
...
How would you approach this?

What I've done in the past was skip "tube amp power transformers" altogether.  There are all kinds of isolation/step-up/step-down transformers available with plenty of current.  So 120v:240v is no hard to find.

If we're not tied to a tube rectifier, we don't need 5vac (or a 2nd 6.3vac) winding, and don't need a center-tapped high-voltage winding.  A Full-wave bridge is easy to build, and economizes on the rectifier and the transformer.  240vac * 1.414 = ~335vdc after diode drops & some smoothing (though varies with filter cap value).

One can always use a separate filament transformer to light the tubes.  If 2 transformers is distasteful, contact Edcor and/or review their site...  Could be someone else has already wanted the same thing.  Alternatively, an AC30 power transformer will work, though it might be larger than what could be gotten away with.

In addition, you probably want a separate and higher anode voltage for the preamp. This may require a separate HV winding.

When you lower the supply voltage to the output tubes, the bias voltage needed goes down.  If you're also running Class A for low output power & higher idle current, required bias voltage falls even more.

What's the normal bias voltage for a Super Reverb?  Somewhere between -45 to -55vdc?  To push the output tubes until they run out of steam, your peak drive signal will be the same as the bias or maybe 1-2 volts less.  RDH4 says larger tubes have onset of significant grid current when the grid is -2 to 0v (compared to the cathode).

Now look again at that RCA 6L6 data sheet I linked earlier:  the 14.5 watt fixed-bias push-pull condition biases the tubes at -16v, while the self-bias condition uses -15v bias.  These setups only need a 16v peak signal from a phase inverter rather than 45-54v peak in the 40w Class AB amps.  :grin:

With 1/3 the output requirement, high preamp supply voltage is not needed for drive signal to the output tubes.  Check out the R-C chart on the 12AX7 data sheet (https://frank.pocnet.net/sheets/093/1/12AX7.pdf): 180vdc is all we need to slap the output tubes silly.

Since high output power is not a goal, there's no need to strive for "perfect balance" and a paraphase inverter can be used, with the benefit that we don't need to waste voltage across a tail resistor, nor use a split-load inverter to develop 2 outputs from a single supply.

If you only need 1930's power output, just grab a 1930's circuit.  If you're worried a low-supply-volt preamp will sound dark & dull, spice it up with high plate load resistors.  They work in an AC30, and in the brown Deluxe.
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: Ritchie200 on February 18, 2020, 08:10:39 pm
The other thing to remember is this is actually (if true) a 25/12 watt amp so we have a little more space to work with - if we are trying to reproduce the MT15.


Jim
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: HotBluePlates on February 18, 2020, 08:25:47 pm
... In addition, you probably want a separate and higher anode voltage for the preamp. ...
When you lower the supply voltage to the output tubes, the bias voltage needed goes down. ... With 1/3 the output requirement, high preamp supply voltage is not needed for drive signal to the output tubes. ...

Let's talk about it the opposite way, thinking about how to increase the power of a 1934 push-pull Class A amp.

In our Class A amp, output tube peak plate current is 2x idle current, for an average plate current = idle current (assume current rises/falls the same amount).

To increase power output, we want to increase plate current and will get part of the way there by lowering the load impedance.  If peak plate current goes up, so does the average plate current, and the average plate dissipation.  We need to offset this effect by idling the tube cooler (and perhaps allowing it to shut off part of the cycle) so we'll use a larger bias voltage.

If we were able to apply a higher screen voltage, peak plate current (and power output) would rise further, though again we need to make the bias more-negative to keep the plate from overheating during the signal cycle.  Plate voltage will also rise, because choosing a less-low load impedance will make it easier to avoid overheating the plate.

Where are we?
    -  Increased output tube plate/screen voltage
    -  Increased peak plate current
    -  Need a large bias voltage to keep the whole thing from melting down in use

In making our Class AB amp, we didn't increase the output tube's transconductance (ability to swing plate current for a given input voltage); in fact, we made it a bit worse by idling cooler.  This means our big-big plate current output will need a big-big grid signal voltage to create.

The larger drive signal to feed the output tubes has to come from our phase inverter, and we might be motivated to not give away the game by using a well-balanced inverter circuit to get the maximum clean output power (as we've worked hard everywhere else to boost output power).  We need a good 50v+ peak from each output, and will need to drop another 80v across a tail resistor (or derive 2 outputs plus leave enough plate voltage for a split-load).

Good thing we have ~400vdc we can count on after the boosting the output tube plate & screen voltages.



Hopefully it's clear the output section design dictates what will/won't work in the phase inverter & preamp.  And if we're really pressed, skip 6L6/6V6 and move over to EL84/EL34.  These tubes have twice the transconductance of the American types, and further ease the driving requirements.
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: jjasilli on February 18, 2020, 09:32:11 pm
I agree with hotblue's analysis.  I prefer the beefier tone of a big bottle tube like a 6L6, properly biased, in a 6V6 setting.  I.e., low B+ voltage for the big bottle.  E.g.. 6L6 in my VibroChamp & in a SF Princeton long since sold.


I think the "modern" tone of the PRS amp comes from the preamp.
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: sds1 on February 19, 2020, 07:27:40 am
The other thing to remember is this is actually (if true) a 25/12 watt amp
At about 8:00 he pauses and observes 6.8% THD, if you do the math at that point you get 13W. At 7.8% he sees first signs of clipping and settles on 25W.

If we measured max clean output power using a THD meter only, I'm not sure we'd allow more than say 5% THD for our rating? Just an example that comes to mind, the Fender Blues Deluxe/Deville schematic calls for output test at 5% THD.

Anyhow, I think this goes to show how much we can fudge an output test one way or the other to please the marketing dept.

But I was wondering in contrast to HPB's assertions regarding lower voltage design, what about running 6L6's in a Deluxe circuit (using like the Allen TP40D PT for proper rating), they say it's still around 25W-ish running the 6L6's. How does this solution compare to the lower voltage design?
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: Ritchie200 on February 19, 2020, 02:59:38 pm
Max THD "allowed" or not, I think this certainly explains why people are complaining about how loud it is.  I think the other reason why this amp is flying off the shelves (according to MT and PRS), is that it has a different character than the 6V6, the EL34 and certainly the EL84.  Pete was talking about what a tone monster his loafing 6L6 Bogen was.  I think that is a rare comment on these lunchbox amps - that are using those other tubes.  Like MT or not, people are commenting on how great the amp sounds.


Thanks for such and in depth analysis HBP!!!  I swear I learn something new every time I log in!


Jim
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: jjasilli on February 19, 2020, 07:38:41 pm
The other thing to remember is this is actually (if true) a 25/12 watt amp
At about 8:00 he pauses and observes 6.8% THD, if you do the math at that point you get 13W. At 7.8% he sees first signs of clipping and settles on 25W.

If we measured max clean output power using a THD meter only, I'm not sure we'd allow more than say 5% THD for our rating? Just an example that comes to mind, the Fender Blues Deluxe/Deville schematic calls for output test at 5% THD.

Anyhow, I think this goes to show how much we can fudge an output test one way or the other to please the marketing dept.

But I was wondering in contrast to HPB's assertions regarding lower voltage design, what about running 6L6's in a Deluxe circuit (using like the Allen TP40D PT for proper rating), they say it's still around 25W-ish running the 6L6's. How does this solution compare to the lower voltage design?


Yes, the PRS preamp is a hi-gain distortion machine.  W/o a THD meter how would anyone know if the power tubes are distorting beyond the "max standard" 5% or not?  :laugh:
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: DummyLoad on February 19, 2020, 08:12:04 pm
The other thing to remember is this is actually (if true) a 25/12 watt amp
At about 8:00 he pauses and observes 6.8% THD, if you do the math at that point you get 13W. At 7.8% he sees first signs of clipping and settles on 25W.

If we measured max clean output power using a THD meter only, I'm not sure we'd allow more than say 5% THD for our rating? Just an example that comes to mind, the Fender Blues Deluxe/Deville schematic calls for output test at 5% THD.

Anyhow, I think this goes to show how much we can fudge an output test one way or the other to please the marketing dept.

But I was wondering in contrast to HPB's assertions regarding lower voltage design, what about running 6L6's in a Deluxe circuit (using like the Allen TP40D PT for proper rating), they say it's still around 25W-ish running the 6L6's. How does this solution compare to the lower voltage design?


Yes, the PRS preamp is a hi-gain distortion machine.  W/o a THD meter how would anyone know if the power tubes are distorting beyond the "max standard" 5% or not?  :laugh:

errr...it does have a clean channel & FX loop - insert signal generator?

 :icon_biggrin: 

--pete
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: Ed_Chambley on February 25, 2020, 10:41:37 am
Well the reason I’d like to know how PRS did it is it sounds pretty darn good. We know the transformer specs and it looks like a full wave rect so you figure ~425 on the plates. I also like how it’s voiced. Pete’s layout shows a 2204 two tube style pre.  I’ve heard several reviews state all 5 tubes are used on the gain channel.  Still lots of questions - at least for me. My original question pertained more to overall performance as well as how the heck do they get 7 watts out of this thing.  Just not used to big tubes being used this way.


Jim
The just hid the components of you linear boost in the signal path.  That is how.  And KT88's sound NOTHING like this amp.  I believe this is simply preamp gain as it sounds a lot like the Fuchs Overdrive Dumble SS reverb thingy that comes with 5881's.  Friend has one and blew the PT it it and I had one 275-0-275 that had the needed ma and used it.


And as HBP taught me a while back about larger screen resistors, the Fuchs amp is not forgiving al all.  Now it is. :icon_biggrin:


It seems like I am lowering wattage in everything these days.  Hard to beat SE designs for low volume tone.  It is a regression back to simpler times when we used to build the amp we needed after we arrived at the gig.


I do like the idea of having a Super Lead and a Twin.  I still do not really care for all these types of amps.  I prefer a Les Paul and a Super Reverb, but I play a Telecaster mostly into an AC15 and Princeton Reverb.


Going all Tweed and weed this weekend.  Second Row, Joe Bonamassa or to you the no playing Eric Johnson copycat. :help:



Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: Ed_Chambley on February 26, 2020, 10:30:13 am
Here is a very good review on this amp.
&t=1050s


I actually played one last night.  I'll pass, but thanks.  It feels a little cheap and as many times as I have had a stage hand knock something over it probably would not last as a head.  If I did get one, I believe I would give it the Traynor Test.


Drop it off a 2 story building.  replace the tubes and jam.  Anyone ever seen this?  The PRS transformers would break off with those pot metal chinese screws.
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: PRR on February 28, 2020, 09:56:11 pm
Some posts Moved to
Other Topics
"The Bickersons" (https://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=25629.0)
You know why.
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: DummyLoad on February 29, 2020, 02:22:13 am
some edits. LED polarity fix, added boost to clean channel, footswitch/front-panel channel switching, etc..

STILL no reverb & no tremelo. bah! u don need no stinking reverb & tremelo señor!

--pete
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: jojokeo on February 29, 2020, 10:36:04 pm
STILL no reverb & no tremelo. bah! u don need no stinking reverb & tremelo señor!
:sad2:  Bah is right!  :laugh:  But now Jimbob isn’t going to have any help covering up all of his misfrets and wrong notes?  :dontknow:


You are the schematic king Pete! I only would like a bi-color single LED on my model please?  :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: DummyLoad on March 02, 2020, 12:08:58 am
STILL no reverb & no tremelo. bah! u don need no stinking reverb & tremelo señor!
:sad2:  Bah is right!  :laugh:  But now Jimbob isn’t going to have any help covering up all of his misfrets and wrong notes?  :dontknow:


You are the schematic king Pete! I only would like a bi-color single LED on my model please?  :icon_biggrin:

you'll get single color LEDs mr. and you'll like it.  :icon_biggrin:  and no more  :sad2:  mr.!

thanks jo. i publish mostly trash that amuses self and possibly a few others.

thinking that the first second stage needs to be a paralleled pair of triodes. that satisfies the bottle count and won't be a total noise bomb. maybe. maybe not.

i get this sinking feeling that is amp is incomplete, at least without a spring reverb.



--pete
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: SILVERGUN on March 02, 2020, 12:30:06 pm
So Mr. Jim,
Now that we are 55 replies (plus another thread) deep into this...
A)What have you learned about how this amp can deliver 7/15 watts with 2 6L6GCs?

B)And what are you going to do about it?
 :think1:
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: shooter on March 02, 2020, 12:43:27 pm
Quote
plus another thread
ya, n tell me how that thread started with 33 reply's n 22 views  :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: Ed_Chambley on March 02, 2020, 02:59:05 pm
It appears Pete has figured out a way to build one helluva preamp there.  I like the slight bias difference in 2 of the stages on the lead channel.


Anyway, as a preamp it could be very handy to me as I have a few lower voltage amps.  Thanks for the time to share your thoughts and drawings.
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: Ritchie200 on March 02, 2020, 03:12:15 pm

Well, SG, thanks to the people who actually CONTRIBUTED, I do have some ahhdeas… 


1. I think with all the info available for a 5 tube cascaded preamp ( :icon_biggrin: ), it would be pretty interesting and easy to replicate the front end.  Although, MT has a different odd scooped sound that I have not heard from the mainstream metal guys or their amps, I don't know if I would like to be stuck there.  It would need some flexibility which I think could be obtained as it is developed.  I would definitely go high gain with effects loop.



2. I am still having a hard time with the 6L6's.  Along with the 6550, it ranks up there with my least fav tubes.  If I were to build this...… And guess what?  I am seriously thinking about doing just that.  Now where did I put my soldering iron.... :think1: Anyway, I would put a PP UL KT88 output on it.  Obviously not replicating the MT15 but I really like the ideas that have come out of this analysis.  Lets keep a decent B+ and throttle them back to 20'ish watts.  Then add a triode switch for half power and maybe a different flavor.  I don't think I've ever heard a KT88 slammed in true triode mode.  Heck, I am almost there with the UL on my Major - maybe that is the secret sauce I am hearing when I crank and really let her run?  I think it would be a cool project.


3. Pete is awesome.  :worthy1:

Jim


ps, just kidding SG, thanks for all the photos and info you posted :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: shooter on March 02, 2020, 03:30:33 pm
Quote
I don't think I've ever heard a KT88 slammed in true triode mode.
:laugh:
I can hear the audiophile types cringing across the world  :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: DummyLoad on March 02, 2020, 06:43:05 pm
Quote
I don't think I've ever heard a KT88 slammed in true triode mode.
:laugh:
I can hear the audiophile types cringing across the world  :icon_biggrin:

oh, no worries sniffer types, we won't use NOS KT88 in a guitar amp... no sir, no way.

i lie like a cheap rug.  :icon_biggrin:

--pete
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: DummyLoad on March 03, 2020, 12:33:19 am
probably too much overall gain. trying to get the major's concertina and buffer amps in the mix for the KT88 drive - may have to scrap the 12AU7 buffer amps and drive KT88s with the concertina.

another option is to lose the concertina, the FX recovery amp, the buffer amps and go with LTPI for the FX recovery and KT88 drive and that would reduce 9pin bottle count by 2. with as much overall gain, i'd like to see a choke in the mix for the preamps & buffer amps - 10-15H. may add that yet.

all this would be better built on a PCB - not as complex as some of the new ultra-high gain stuff, but given the complexity and bottle count, a PCB would make the overall chassis size much more manageable.

jim, i still have the major minor II's mutant bastard child on the breadboard, i'll give the triode/pentode switch a test drive. oh, wait! sorry, that was built with EL34's... wahwahwah...  :icon_biggrin: 

thoughts? insults? flamage? comments? h-e-l-p!   

--pete
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: jojokeo on March 03, 2020, 02:10:10 am

Well, SG, thanks to the people who actually CONTRIBUTED, I do have some ahhdeas…
[/l]
Uh err NO! Porn doesn't count. Those are fantasies kimosabee Turtle! And SG asked to be left out of them!



[/q]
I think with all the info available for a 5 tube cascaded preamp ( :icon_biggrin: ), it would be pretty interesting and easy to replicate the front end.

[/l]
Bah! NO! Anyone with experience knows that cascading even a couple tubes can bring about parasitic oscillations and other hypersonic animals buzzing around one's head driving it's unwitting creators batty enough to eat snakes from the bush meat market! Flexibility? You?! Says the man with a need for only two sounds on a switch: Blackmore & Trower modes.




[/q]
I am still having a hard time with the 6L6's.  Along with the 6550, it ranks up there with my least fav tubes.  If I were to build this...… And guess what?  I am seriously thinking about doing just that.
[/l]
Again bagging on great sounding poor 6L6s like they are your red headed step children just because you have 88s being all snooty on top of the hill looking down at everyone wearing that ungodly ugly witches' hat or Abraham Lincoln stove pipe model... you may want to take them off once in a while, oxygen and sunlight are good things!


[/q]


Now where did I put my soldering iron.... :think1: 
[/l]

I think SG could tell you?  :laugh: But if you can't feel it? One would think that you'd step on the chord every once in a while? Oh what a good boy takes on a whole 'nother meaning now?
I'm suddenly hearing a banjo far off in the distance...
?  :l2:



Then add a triode switch for half power and maybe a different flavor.  I don't think I've ever heard a KT88 slammed in true triode mode.  Heck, I am almost there with the UL on my Major - maybe that is the secret sauce I am hearing when I crank and really let her run?

[/l]


Oh brother - "normal" triode mode is NOT half power and if you made use of that soldering iron (for it's intended purpose) you just might know this? Your flavor and secret sauce fantasies are disturbing


Stick to Blackmore & Trower modes... you can thank me later,
Yer pal jojo

Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: tubenit on March 03, 2020, 06:17:38 am
Pete,

THANKS for your contributions to the forum and on this thread!  IF you still have the SCH version of this proposed Jim-Bob Special with 6L6's and KT88's, can you post them on this thread OR in the ExpressSCH Library, please?  If you post them on this thread, I'll move them over and be sure to note that it's your work.

http://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?board=12.0

Even if Jim doesn't build this amp, there may be someone down the line interested enough to pursue it.

Thanks, Tubenit
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: shooter on March 03, 2020, 06:27:31 am
Quote
Bah! NO! Anyone with experience knows that cascading even a couple tubes can bring about parasitic oscillations and other hypersonic animals buzzing around one's head driving it's unwitting creators batty enough to eat snakes from the bush meat market!

  :icon_biggrin:
have you EVER listened to Jim's music, that's THE SOUND an EFFECT on the audience!!!
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: SILVERGUN on March 03, 2020, 08:27:48 am
If I were to build this...… And guess what?  I am seriously thinking about doing just that.  Now where did I put my soldering iron.... :think1:
NOBODY would want to try to help you troubleshoot this nightmare.

It's probably best if you start out with something like a Champ build before you get too far over your head.

I think you could possibly handle this one but I have no idea what your experience level is... :dontknow:
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: Ed_Chambley on March 03, 2020, 08:45:19 am
Quote
I don't think I've ever heard a KT88 slammed in true triode mode.
:laugh:
I can hear the audiophile types cringing across the world  :icon_biggrin:

oh, no worries sniffer types, we won't use NOS KT88 in a guitar amp... no sir, no way.

i lie like a cheap rug.  :icon_biggrin:

--pete
Once I considered posting a photo of just my =C=, not even any GEC's.  Then I remembered Silvergun built 2 amps that needs one each.  One is not THAT expensive unless you want real ones and he seems to want real ones.  So I decided not to poot them so he couldn't download the photo.  Look closely at the glass to find a familiar reflection.  Search the image with google search and drive from yankee town and borrow some.


I do not like the awkward comments about audiophiles simply because I listen to a Triode Strapped Dual Single Ended stereo.  It used to have 2 Mullard Rectifiers Tubes, but Ebay wanted them too bad.  I tested 2 Amperex Rectifier tubes and just couldn't hear any difference so I guess I fail the Audiophile test, but wait.  Did you know 4 real =C= 6550's strapped in triode mode sound the same as GEC Gold Loins NOS and =C= KT88's.


These in turn sound NOTHING like a 300B.  And yes, I finally broke down and added a Crown SS amp for 150 hz and below.


Guys, seriously be careful of my feeling.  I have some KT88's in a 1987 Plexiglas Build currently.  It's called punishment Gurls.
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: DummyLoad on March 03, 2020, 09:13:50 am
y'all are gonna get us upgraded to the bitchersons.

jimbob - baby steps. build the champ first.  :icon_biggrin:

--pete
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: Ed_Chambley on March 03, 2020, 12:10:54 pm
y'all are gonna get us upgraded to the bitchersons.

jimbob - baby steps. build the champ first.  :icon_biggrin:

--pete
Damn, we are trying.  Where is PRR?
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: shooter on March 03, 2020, 12:18:13 pm
Quote
jimbob - baby steps. build the champ first.  :icon_biggrin:
agreed!, I even build one with a KT88!!
didn't know what I was doing then so it was all noisy, but I lern't how to fix that here  :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: DummyLoad on March 03, 2020, 01:05:16 pm
Pete,

THANKS for your contributions to the forum and on this thread!  IF you still have the SCH version of this proposed Jim-Bob Special with 6L6's and KT88's, can you post them on this thread OR in the ExpressSCH Library, please?  If you post them on this thread, I'll move them over and be sure to note that it's your work.

http://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?board=12.0 (http://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?board=12.0)

Even if Jim doesn't build this amp, there may be someone down the line interested enough to pursue it.

Thanks, Tubenit

tubenit, schematic(s) not finished and do not have part reference designations. will push editable versions later.

thanks!

--pete
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: tubenit on March 03, 2020, 04:19:05 pm
Thanks, Pete!  I appreciate your contributions to the forum.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: shooter on March 03, 2020, 07:47:14 pm
Ok, I’ll participate,
Because I appreciate Mid-west reality in a field of costal weeblees I will meet you ½ way with my last build. should be a cornfield in IL  :laugh:

The pre can produce a square wave at ~70Vacrms, (with HOT guitar).  the bias is set to sweat the 88 at ~41W so don’t roll in any family heirlooms without tweaking Rk  :icon_biggrin:
It even has some stole ideas from Marshall, DCCF and a sucky TS (CCW 9 3 CW)

Put a switch on G2 and hear triode mode, cut your boat anchor pre-out into the 88’s coupler and you have a 18W screamer WITH a triode switch
And use your stack (amp is 4/8ohm switchable)

There!
Batter up  :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: DummyLoad on March 03, 2020, 10:12:57 pm
shooter - that thing has more than 2 tubes, not so sure that's a good "starter" amp.  :icon_biggrin:


--pete
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: DummyLoad on March 03, 2020, 10:20:08 pm
Quote
con·trap·tion
/kənˈtrapSH(ə)n/
noun
a machine or device that appears strange or unnecessarily complicated, and often badly made or unsafe.

schema done. ref. des. for parts added (that was a b!^ch!). so with 70 resistors, 40 capacitors, 13 diodes 8 tubes, 3 relays and 2 transformers, the definition of the quoted above comes to mind.

--pete
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: 66Strat on March 04, 2020, 12:20:58 am
Ok, I’ll participate,
Because I appreciate Mid-west reality in a field of costal weeblees I will meet you ½ way with my last build. should be a cornfield in IL  :laugh:

The pre can produce a square wave at ~70Vacrms, (with HOT guitar).  the bias is set to sweat the 88 at ~41W so don’t roll in any family heirlooms without tweaking Rk  :icon_biggrin:
It even has some stole ideas from Marshall, DCCF and a sucky TS (CCW 9 3 CW)

Put a switch on G2 and hear triode mode, cut your boat anchor pre-out into the 88’s coupler and you have a 18W screamer WITH a triode switch
And use your stack (amp is 4/8ohm switchable)

There!
Batter up  :icon_biggrin:

Nice!

Is that a copper chassis?
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: shooter on March 04, 2020, 07:06:25 am
Quote
that thing has more than 2 tubes
:icon_biggrin:
ya but they're already soldered so a switch is all that's needed to start, well a guitar, someone that can play it......... :w2:

It's copper foil, scraped from an old RF room  :laugh:
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: Ed_Chambley on March 04, 2020, 01:02:09 pm
Well Pete, I just looked closely at the Job-Bob Shredder.  Very tempting, that is all I have to say. That is a lot of tubes to make 25 watts, but I like Monster Trucks too.  Very nice, but JoJo has a valid point.  Better be on point with a layout.
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: shooter on March 04, 2020, 02:17:02 pm
Quote
but I like Monster Trucks too.
what, with a 2.5L eco-boost  :icon_biggrin:

violating the KISS principal with MANY tubes is the best invitation for forehead slapping, parts smoking gremlins  :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: DummyLoad on March 04, 2020, 06:27:19 pm
Well Pete, I just looked closely at the Job-Bob Shredder.  Very tempting, that is all I have to say. That is a lot of tubes to make 25 watts, but I like Monster Trucks too.  Very nice, but JoJo has a valid point.  Better be on point with a layout.

thanks! - it's the JIMBOB shredder. we need to show jim some respect. JOEBOB is just too...southern?

do you think jim will ever come to the light side and buy a tele? 

--pete
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: shooter on March 04, 2020, 06:48:32 pm
Quote
do you think jim
I'm holding out hope for the weather to break, then Jim can grab his banjo n go sit by the big river.  :m17
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: DummyLoad on March 04, 2020, 11:01:10 pm
ok, back the tech stuff... some feedback from jim result in rev1a - see attached. thinking we'll need a grid stopper tacked to V2 pin2 & perhaps deleting C19 perhaps make it a switched option. also, a 12AU7 for the F/X loop to keep overall system gain manageable.


--pete
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: Ed_Chambley on March 05, 2020, 09:11:28 am
Well Pete, I just looked closely at the Job-Bob Shredder.  Very tempting, that is all I have to say. That is a lot of tubes to make 25 watts, but I like Monster Trucks too.  Very nice, but JoJo has a valid point.  Better be on point with a layout.

thanks! - it's the JIMBOB shredder. we need to show jim some respect. JOEBOB is just too...southern?

do you think jim will ever come to the light side and buy a tele? 

--pete
I know he wouldn't EVER admit to having one.  How could he?  I called it the Job-Bob, typo.    The Jim-Bob Sherdder for those who shredded their diapers when baby and have reached the age to begun doing it again!


I am not sure how Jimbob got so against Telecasters and John 5, but he also thinks the Japanese made a Deep Purple record, the 3rd largest live album of all time.  Made in Japan.


Wasn't the big hit from that album called "I Want You to Want Me?", or is that just a better song I remember from some other Japanese Vinyl?
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: SnickSound on March 06, 2020, 07:49:14 am
some edits. LED polarity fix, added boost to clean channel, footswitch/front-panel channel switching, etc..

STILL no reverb & no tremelo. bah! u don need no stinking reverb & tremelo señor!

--pete

I'm curious, and maybe the answer is somewhere in the thread but I missed it: is this sort of your own interpretation of what the MT15 probably is, or is this based on the actual circuit?

Just curious. I see a hot-rodded Marshall type of preamp here (looks like some AFD-esque mods that add an extra tube to a JCM800), but to my hear the MT15 is more mid-scooped and not as bright as this would sound. I'm guessing a smaller treble cap and bigger slope resistor, and perhaps some fixed resonance boost by way of a cap in the NFB loop. But to be fair, I haven't actually played the MT15, just watched some demos.

Now, based on my experience building high gain channel switchers, if I was to build this I would change the switching scheme a little:
- Keep both input stages connected at all time, prevents loud pops and doesn't have any ill effect except for:
- Ground the grid of the 3rd stage of the high gain side when in clean mode (in my experience, this doesn't pop and the clean channel is clean as a whistle)
- Use that same relay to connect the Presence control to ground (or actually, insert a high value resistor between the cap and ground and bypass it with this relay) so the Presence control only works in high gain mode (Fender cleans don't use presence boost)

e.g., I've attached a WIP schematic of a new version of a successful build. The original did not have a tone stack for the clean channel, and now I have this crazy idea to have a clean tone stack WITHOUT needing an extra tube. Anyway, very different circuit, but it implements the switching scheme I've described above (RLY1 either grounds V2a' grid or the Presence control, Clean channel shares the input tube but uses a MOSFET to drive a tone stack without loading down the input stage). Also, it has a "Deep" switch for a resonance boost, and a Solo boosts that partially bypasses the tone stack.
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: jojokeo on March 06, 2020, 02:28:37 pm
Well Pete, I just looked closely at the Job-Bob Shredder.  Very tempting, that is all I have to say. That is a lot of tubes to make 25 watts, but I like Monster Trucks too.  Very nice, but JoJo has a valid point.  Better be on point with a layout.

thanks! - it's the JIMBOB shredder. we need to show jim some respect. JOEBOB is just too...southern?

do you think jim will ever come to the light side and buy a tele? 

--pete
I know he wouldn't EVER admit to having one.  How could he?  I called it the Job-Bob, typo.    The Jim-Bob Sherdder for those who shredded their diapers when baby and have reached the age to begun doing it again!


I am not sure how Jimbob got so against Telecasters and John 5, but he also thinks the Japanese made a Deep Purple record, the 3rd largest live album of all time.  Made in Japan.


Wasn't the big hit from that album called "I Want You to Want Me?", or is that just a better song I remember from some other Japanese Vinyl?



Hi Ed, you know as well as I do that there's no one more stuck in the mud err their ways than the St Lou babba loo boy himself! If there's one thing that could possibly be more consistent than the Big Ben it would be Big Jim and he aint shy to let us all know about it. And not just the Tele but his prized '88s too as all should be well aware of by now. How long's it been like 20 years now?  :laugh:
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: Ritchie200 on March 06, 2020, 07:41:20 pm

SnickSound


Thank you for sharing your channel switching schematic with us!


As far as the schematic Pete posted, that is his interpretation of what we have been talking about.  Unfortunately we don't have the MT15 schematic.  We only have some gut shots and transformer specs - more later.


So, this is what I have been able gather from numerous reviews and interviews with Mark: Mark had been using the PRS Archon which Mark describes as very similar to his old Bogner Uberchall with 6L6's.  This amp is run alongside his old Rev. F Boogie.  Mark said the combination of the two is perfect for the tone he is looking for.  He also said he sent the MT15 prototypes back several times before they dialed it in to his taste.  He used it on his Tremonti solo album and also on the new Alter Bridge album so he is obviously pleased with the results.  PRS is building a 100watt signature amp for him as the MT15 isn't loud enough to play out with (Although some of the reviews would disagree!).  However I can see his point on a big stage where you want some guitar/speaker interaction.  His 100watt signature amp has been in the works for months so I would have to think it is a departure from the Archon, otherwise he would be using it and it would be out by now. 


Back to Pete's schematic.  As some have alluded to here....I am a KT88 fan so that explains the switch from 6L6's.  I talked to Pete about Marks scooped/dark tone but said I didn't know if I wanted to be locked into that so it would be nice if we had some flexibility.  We also talked about the clean channel being a Mini Major since I had also asked for UL operation and cathodyne/driver circuit - why not!  So that is why we have the presence on both.  The clean channel is not Fender derived.  This schematic is pretty much using the ideas we have tossed around along with my selfish desires! :icon_biggrin:   What brought about this thread is I thought it was interesting how they were using big B+ and big bottles and reining them back to 15watts (or 25watts from that review). A 7watt switch that appears to be for triode operation.  The price point is crazy low for the parts and build quality - and yes I realize where it comes from.  Reviews have all been very positive. 
My geek mind wanted to know more!
So "hear" we are!
Jim
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: sds1 on April 13, 2020, 08:24:16 pm
I have a PRS Sonzera 20 here. Incidentally, it belongs to MT's touring bass player.

Some insight with respect to this thread, this amp runs 2x Ruby 6L6GCMS. Plate voltage 283VDC.

Similar to the MT-15, the Sonzera 20 user manual instructs you to use bias jacks and adjust to 30mA. Oh but look they are using 2R bias test points...

From the manual for both amps:

Quote
Bias Jacks and Pot: These jacks measure the power tube current draw in milliVolts.
1mV=1mA.

Umm, nope.

So, biased just below 60%.

I scoped a legit 20W at the 16R output jack.

As an aside, it's interesting this amp has no choke but you do find a 120R 25W between standby and OT CT. Weird or just me?
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: SILVERGUN on April 19, 2020, 10:27:28 am
As an aside, it's interesting this amp has no choke but you do find a 120R 25W between standby and OT CT. Weird or just me?
This is the design element I wasn't thinking of. With a resistor in place of a choke but placed before the first filter node it will act as a full wave-choke input rectifier design.
This means that you take the secondary voltage and multiply it .45, so in our case (approx.)610VAC x .45 = 274.5 VDC. These are design numbers and there will be some variance based on actual input voltage/ load conditions/ actual PT max current rating.
Also, if we are drawing approx. 130mA thru that 120ohm resistor then that is also dropping an additional 15V. From a static design point that puts us around 260VDC B+ for the MT-15.
Not a far stretch from that 283V your seeing.


Thanks for the info. :thumbsup:



EDITED - struck falsities from the record so no one reads this in 2030 and thinks it makes sense.
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: sluckey on April 19, 2020, 10:34:38 am
This is the design element I wasn't thinking of. With a resistor in place of a choke but placed before the first filter node it will act as a full wave-choke input rectifier design.
This means that you take the secondary voltage and multiply it .45
I don't think so?
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: SILVERGUN on April 19, 2020, 11:06:13 am
This is the design element I wasn't thinking of. With a resistor in place of a choke but placed before the first filter node it will act as a full wave-choke input rectifier design.
This means that you take the secondary voltage and multiply it .45
I don't think so?
Awwwww  crap   :BangHead:
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: shooter on April 19, 2020, 11:30:11 am
Did someone "FIX" the errors on that example sheet? can't find anything in my notes, and I'm not quite sharp enough to guess  :think1:
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: SILVERGUN on April 19, 2020, 01:40:33 pm
Googled it - strike 2
Tried to simulate in Duncans PSUD2 - strike 3

Figured it was time to go cut the grass.
Title: Re: 6L6 15/7 watt PP amp?
Post by: DummyLoad on April 19, 2020, 03:52:11 pm
no. for full wave rectifier with CT an RC filter input is still 1.414 x 1/2 primary RMS less Vdrop across the resistor. just for comparison, i added a sim with 125R reduced to 10%. 

is the attached similar to what you guys see based on interior shots of the amp?


--pete