ok, perhaps I have over-constrained the problem. Looking for a DIY design for tube based audio pre-amp that (1) is low power, (2) has at least 3 tubes, (3) the tubes are different types, and (4) the tubes are beautiful and different looking, meaning, their light may be different colors and are cool/attractive looking tubes (take your best guess as to what that means).
I ask, because tubes are beautiful, and I'd love to make a quality pre-amp, that is ideally low power, which creates a beautiful ambience while you play your guitar with headphones. Cost is not an issue-- it just needs to be gorgeous.
I suspect there are plenty of solutions if the low power constraint is removed.
I ask, because tubes are beautiful, and I'd love to make a quality pre-amp, that is ideally low power, which creates a beautiful ambience while you play your guitar with headphones. Cost is not an issue-- it just needs to be gorgeous.
I suspect there are plenty of solutions if the low power constraint is removed.
I think this should be in the "Instruments and Amps " section.
No matter the shape, all tubes glow in the same dull orange colour. For different colours. use gas regulator tubes. These are not normally used in guitar amps, an d rarely used in general. So it has to be a custom design.
No matter the shape, all tubes glow in the same dull orange colour. For different colours. use gas regulator tubes. These are not normally used in guitar amps, an d rarely used in general. So it has to be a custom design.
Yes, wrong section. Unclear whether you want a practice amp or a preamp or a headphone amp. As costis says, most tubes are the same colour. If you want different colours then you could arrange LED uplighters. You could even use 'cosmetic' tubes, like some Chinese circuits.
This is a guitar amp with three valves glowing at different levels.
Not really headphone level though 🙄
Not really headphone level though 🙄
This appears to be more suitable to the instrument and amps forum so I will move it there.There should be lots of input available there to come up with something appropriate for guitar playback through headphones. (The nice looking part will be largely up to you.)
If it is a preamp, it can be as few as one tube, circuit-wise. But nothing stops you from lighting up extra tubes that do nothing in the circuit. 0A2 and similar voltage regulator tubes do indeed glow pretty. it would be easy enough to add one of those, whether you actually use the voltage it regulates or not.
I've done some submini stuff with 3 tubes, low wattage, like 1w, Push-pull, no PT (uses a SMPS) and russian tubes really glow stronger. And they're small, good for a portable preamp.
You can also add these:
You can also add these:
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
Thanks
Thanks kindly for all of the replies so far.
Thomasha-- regarding the circuit diagram you attached-- it looks like there are 6 tubes and not 3? Perhaps I am not reading the diagram correctly. Also, the picture you attach below the circuit diagram-- it shows three tubes-- can you say more about what they are. Thanks
Thanks kindly for all of the replies so far.
Thomasha-- regarding the circuit diagram you attached-- it looks like there are 6 tubes and not 3? Perhaps I am not reading the diagram correctly. Also, the picture you attach below the circuit diagram-- it shows three tubes-- can you say more about what they are. Thanks
The diagram shows three TRIODES, not three TUBES. If you consider the three tubes are each dual triodes, it adds up.
I'm sure you meant to say "six TRIODES"
Back to the original question, are you sure about what you are asking for? You specifically stated that you are looking for a low power preamp. Good, because it would be harder to find a high power preamp 😀
Most guitar preamps are based on 12AX7, which doesn't really have a funky G bottle version. As already suggested, you can just add a VR tube is PS of a 2 tube guitar preamp.
I think a neater way to go would be to be a Champ or SuperChamp clone as a pentode with VR tube in the G2 supply. Something like a 6SJ7G driving a 6V6G or 6L6G and a VR150 in the PS.
EDIT: OOps, just remembered the tube rectifier. Those come in G bottles too. You could do something like a 6SJ7G, 6V6G, 5Y3G Champ clone, in fact that way you could follow detailed instruction and even just use a kit because you sound new to audio.
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Here are some pictures if you like that idea. I couldn't find any pictures of a 6SJ7G so it may not exist. Can always go with a metal 6SJ7 or a glass 6SJ7GT.
Yes, of course I meant "six triodes and not six tubes", thank you. That was a typo. Three dual tubes makes six triodes.
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Not plenty, and if you don't know your tubes, almost inexistant. Perhaps you can buy this and fit inside some opamp or some germaniums.
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
You could use an 83 rectifier tube. It glows a blueish-purple color. For some reason, I can't upload a pic of it right now, but here's the link, scroll to the second tube down:
Jimmy's Junkyard Blog Archive Beautiful Glowing Tubes
Jimmy's Junkyard Blog Archive Beautiful Glowing Tubes
Please dont, leave them for those who really need them restoring vintage tube testers.
For eye candy its hard to beat the gas regulator tubes, e.g. 0C3 Voltage Regulator Tube Questions - Telecaster Guitar Forum
Here is a 7 pin miniature version i used in a recent project, makes me feel all warm and cozy 🙂
For eye candy its hard to beat the gas regulator tubes, e.g. 0C3 Voltage Regulator Tube Questions - Telecaster Guitar Forum
Here is a 7 pin miniature version i used in a recent project, makes me feel all warm and cozy 🙂
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
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I use one of those solid state plug in units with series resistance in my Hickok 800 and get great results. I tested it with a 6L6 bogey tube and tested excellent. There is no shortage of units to fill this need.
2 tubes:
http://www.ax84.com/static/p1/AX84_P1_100616.pdf
Plenty of other ideas there too.
Cheers,
Ian
http://www.ax84.com/static/p1/AX84_P1_100616.pdf
Plenty of other ideas there too.
Cheers,
Ian
Not well enough it seems, corrected that - sorry.
Tube choices:
Triode strapped 6SJ7 sound great.
I would suggest 6J7 but my experience is that they are very difficult to keep out of parasitic oscillation and just about REQUIRE tube shields which would mean you don't get to see them anyway.
6SF5 is a single triode which is much like 1/2 a 12AX7 (mu of 100).
6J5 is like 1/2 a 6SN7 in a small ST shape - very pretty.
Another idea is to look for some old battery tubes single triodes 1H4 and 1H5 for example.
Could also make one of the tubes an 80 rectifier (similar spec to 5Y3) but ST shape.
If you want something that looks quit different then the red EF37A is possible but I would call it "butt ugly" rather than gorgeous.
Cheers,
Ian
Tube choices:
Triode strapped 6SJ7 sound great.
I would suggest 6J7 but my experience is that they are very difficult to keep out of parasitic oscillation and just about REQUIRE tube shields which would mean you don't get to see them anyway.
6SF5 is a single triode which is much like 1/2 a 12AX7 (mu of 100).
6J5 is like 1/2 a 6SN7 in a small ST shape - very pretty.
Another idea is to look for some old battery tubes single triodes 1H4 and 1H5 for example.
Could also make one of the tubes an 80 rectifier (similar spec to 5Y3) but ST shape.
If you want something that looks quit different then the red EF37A is possible but I would call it "butt ugly" rather than gorgeous.
Cheers,
Ian
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