6L6 tube swap for champs

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phsyconoodler
Junior tube assistant
Posts: 14
(3/25/04 8:23 pm)
  6L6 tube swap for champs
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 Hi there!
I was wondering if it is possible to use a 6L6 in a champ?
Would it be like a champ 12?I like the clean headroom on my champ 12,but like the grind U get from a champ.
Thankyou!

 
Dbltlk44
Junior tube assistant
Posts: 8
(3/26/04 12:55 am)
  Re: 6L6 tube swap for champs
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 Well, a 6L6 is double the heater current rating of a 6V6; I think most Fender transformers are over-rated, but you'd probably be running the heaters at max current on the stock transformer....it might work out fine, but I'd bet the heater voltage would drop down too low in general use. 10% drop in voltage is about as far as you want it to drop, lower than that and you're looking at ruining the tube heaters.

Except for that I think it would work just fine. You might get a lot "cleaner " sound from a 6L6 in a stock champ; the primary impedence of the OT in a stock 6V6 Champ would be a LOT higher than for what a 6L6 would like...probably sound just fine though really.

HTH
 
bluetonene
Junior tube assistant
Posts: 39
(3/26/04 8:26 am)
  Re: 6L6 tube swap for champs
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 When I build my "Champs" I use Kendrick transformers. They are rated with plenty of spare power. By tying pins 1 and 8 together and using a 1k/5watt screen resistor, you can use:5881,6L6GC,EL34,EL37,6550 or 6V6GT's
Tom
 
Tiny Daddy
I will work on all amps
Posts: 568
(3/26/04 8:36 am)
  Re: 6L6 tube swap for champs
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 You could add a 1 Amp 6.3V filament transformer just for the 6L6 if there is room on the chassis.
 
dominotheory
Posts: 10
(3/26/04 9:26 am)
  Re: 6L6 tube swap for champs
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the stock champ OT may not be able to hande the increased plate current either for a 6L6. David Allen at allenamps.com sells upgraded power and output transformers for the champ that will easily handle a 6L6 or EL34.
 
phsyconoodler
Junior tube assistant
Posts: 15
(3/26/04 11:47 pm)
  Re: 6L6 tube swap for champs
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 Thanks for the input,guys.Actually,my champ build does not have fender transformers,they are from a similar amp chassis that was made in the sixties in canada.Basically what I hear you guys saying is that the amp current may be to much for the transformers.If i were to measure the voltage at the heaters after installing the 6L6,and it didn't drop,I might have a transformer powerful enough to handle it?The mod where you tie pins 1 & 8 together sounds interesting.what does it do for the tone?
I really appreciate the responses I've gotten!
Thank You!
Phsyconoodler
 
PHATamps
I only work on tube amps
Posts: 429
(3/27/04 11:33 am)
  Re: 6L6 tube swap for champs
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 I converted my SF Champ to a tweed Princeton, then swapped in a 5881 (6L6). PT was hot to the touch, even the front panel got pretty warm. I built a solid state rectifier plug out of 4 1N4007s and a tube base and I got from Doug. Once I swapped this for the 5Y3 the PT ran much cooler, since the 5V winding was not being used. Also, the 5881 likes the increased plate voltage, and the power supply doesn't cave in as much under heavy demand. One of my favorite little amps now!

Tying 1&8 together won't do anything for a 6V6 or 6L6, but allows you to use an EL34, which draws 3X the heater current of a 6V6, so you may need an auxilliary transformer.

Edited by: PHATamps at: 3/27/04 12:23 pm
 
phsyconoodler
Junior tube assistant
Posts: 35
(4/17/04 10:51 pm)
  Re: 6L6 tube swap for champs
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 PHATamps
I tried a 6L6GC in my champ and played the crap out of it,and the output tranny stayed cool to the touch and the power trans was just slightly warm.It had a much fatter sound and i like it a lot.Actually,the tube i used was not even a good one,being one i replaced in my old peavey.i am going to pick up a new 6L6 and try that out soon.I didn't measure the heater voltages,but will do that also.
Thanks,
Phsyconoodler
 
 
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