Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: SoundCity85 on January 25, 2021, 05:14:40 am

Title: EF86 - what to do with them
Post by: SoundCity85 on January 25, 2021, 05:14:40 am: Hello,

Any ideas for what to do with EF86 tubes? I have a large amount of them (40+) from the late 50s early 60s, and no application for them. Wouldn't mind some experimentation, like using them on different parts of the preamp like a second gain stage or cathode follower if that would be technically possible.

Cheers
Title: Re: EF86 - what to do with them
Post by: tubenit on January 25, 2021, 05:47:52 am: Yep, I have an idea of what to do with EF86 tubes! :icon_biggrin:

Check out this sound clip! It's using an EF86 for the OD channel. Mat is from Finland and comes up with some incredible amp designs and he is a fantastic guitarist.

https://soundcloud.com/ef86special/2014-1

https://soundcloud.com/ef86special/sets/amp-demos

There is a 6 page well documented thread on this amp on The Amp Garage forum.

http://ampgarage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=14340&hilit=mini+HRM

Reply #2 on this thread has the schematic and layout for the '86 Special amp of Mat's.

https://el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=9149.0

With respect, Tubenit
Title: Re: EF86 - what to do with them
Post by: SoundCity85 on January 25, 2021, 06:10:58 am: Wow. Awesome. That's exactly what I was after. Thanks!
Title: Re: EF86 - what to do with them
Post by: sluckey on January 25, 2021, 06:23:07 am: Vox AC-15 is another popular choice...

http://sluckeyamps.com/dual_lite/dual_lite.pdf
Title: Re: EF86 - what to do with them
Post by: jordan86 on January 25, 2021, 08:25:21 am: I got a great idea. You could sell a few to me!!! Please :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: EF86 - what to do with them
Post by: SoundCity85 on January 25, 2021, 12:55:00 pm: If you're not in US I can probably do so. I really don't need much for them don't worry

edit: look's like you're in US. the thing is, I need custum papers or some kind of pro forma for this kind of shipment. the only way I know is through reverb but it's crazy they get 9% for not doing much.
Title: Re: EF86 - what to do with them
Post by: thetragichero on January 25, 2021, 01:45:56 pm: reverb does a whole heck of a lot for their relatively small cut: process the payments (and you still get paid even if the buyer disputes credit card charges), advertise your item worldwide, provides DEEP shipping discounts (at least within country), etc

that being said, i usually factor my reverb fees into the listed shipping cost

i would also be willing to order some off of you
Title: Re: EF86 - what to do with them
Post by: bmccowan on January 25, 2021, 01:52:42 pm: Matchless Clubman uses the EF86 in V2 position. I've built a Clubman but with the earlier octal 6SH7 tube. Great sounding amp. Dr. Z used that tube in V1 position in a couple amps. I've used that Z preamp scheme in a couple of amps but used a 5879 instead of an EF86.
Title: Re: EF86 - what to do with them
Post by: DummyLoad on January 25, 2021, 05:03:46 pm: they are useless! send them all to me for proper disposal! :icon_biggrin:

--pete
Title: Re: EF86 - what to do with them
Post by: acheld on January 25, 2021, 06:05:05 pm: I would order some as well.

You have a business!
Title: Re: EF86 - what to do with them
Post by: tubeswell on January 25, 2021, 06:28:40 pm: If microphonics is a concern (and it isn’t unusual for small signal pentodes), then designing EF86 preamp stages with lower gain (e.g for a gain of 100 instead of 200), can reduce susceptibility to microphonics, and in this way you can more easily use EF86s in conjunction with other preamp tubes (as in the Clubman) to get unique preamp designs. Also, you can do other things with pentodes, such as triode-switching, variable screen bypassing etc to create more interesting tones. Merlin Blencowe’s ‘Designing tube preamps’ books have a few good ideas in this regard.
Title: Re: EF86 - what to do with them
Post by: G._Hoffman on January 25, 2021, 10:06:27 pm: A very early 4-input AC-30! Or at least, take the EF86 normal channel from one. Best preamp circuit I've ever heard, at least for what I want to do.
Title: Re: EF86 - what to do with them
Post by: SoundCity85 on January 26, 2021, 02:08:45 am: Alright I seem to have at least 36 tubes, probably a few more in different boxes. Most of them are Philips from the late 50s early 60s, a few Telefunken too. I got them from reel-to-reel recorders (e.g. EL3515), that I bought to salvage the ECC83 (57-59 is long plate, 59-62 is short plate). My Maxi-Preamp 2 can only measure ECC83 so I have no idea how good they still are. Let's say 2 euro a piece (they seem to be asking at least 10x more on reverb), I make a reverb ad for a batch of 25 and someone buys them, and then distributes them further to the interested people on the forum? :-) If I would value them lower, then I'm not sure if I can run into trouble for a false customs value. Let's say it's "almost" giving them away for free
Title: Re: EF86 - what to do with them
Post by: Joel on January 26, 2021, 02:57:19 am: I suspect shipping to Australia would be prohibitively expensive...
Title: Re: EF86 - what to do with them
Post by: SoundCity85 on January 26, 2021, 03:08:21 am: 57 euro for a 10x10x10cm package 0.2 kg. Not sure how much it could go down when making the package smaller. FYI I live in Belgium
Title: Re: EF86 - what to do with them
Post by: hgittela on April 01, 2025, 09:42:21 am: Quote from: SoundCity85 on January 26, 2021, 03:08:21 am
57 euro for a 10x10x10cm package 0.2 kg. Not sure how much it could go down when making the package smaller. FYI I live in Belgium

Hey @SoundCity85, did you ever get around to selling your ef86 tubes? I know this is a long shot in an old thread, but you never know... :-)