What guitar amp should I build from these?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Jump to Latest
infernal

infernal

Member
Joined 2010
#1
Hi I'm new here. I want to build a guitar amplifier.
No need for High Power. Just clean and smooth tone.
I have come across a full box of tubes.
I want you "the wise guys" to look at my list and tell me what can I build with these:


EF86 - x25 (SIEMENS)
EF80 - x2 (EI)
EF89 - x1 (PHILIPS MINIWATT)
PCF80- x4 (2x EI USED, 1x TOGRAM UNUSED, 1 MINIWATT UNUSED)
PCC85- x2 (RWN)
ECF82- x3 (TESLA REALY OLD)
ECC91- x1 (SIEMENS MINIWATT)
6H2P - x1 (OTK TESTED)
6N2P-EV - x1 (OTK TESTED)
6J2P-EV - x1 (OTK TESTED)
6N3P - x2 (OTK TESTED)
ECC81- x4 (2x PHILIPS,1x SIEMENS, 1x TUNGSTEN)
ECC82- x7 (5x EI, 1x TELEFUNKEN, 1x UNKNOWN)
ECC83- x5 (2 USED)
PCC88- x2 (1x TELEFUNKEN, 1x MINIWATT)
PCL86- x2 (EI, 1 USED)
UCL82- x3 (2 EI,1 PHILIPS)
150B2- x1 (PHILIPS, MILITARY PACKDE)
PY88 - x2 (1x SIEMENES,1x EI)
DY802- x1 (EI)
EB91 - x1 (MILITARY PACKED)
PCF200 - x1 (EI)
EC92 - x1 (TUNGSTEN)
EL34 - x1 (SIEMENS)
EL84 - x2 (1 EI USED, 1 UNKNOWN looks like siemens)
EL156- x1 (TELEFUNKEN USED)
ECL82- x4 (3 EI UNUSED ,1 SIEMENS USED)
PCL84- x1 (EI)
UABC - x1 (EI)

I know that there is alot and I can't decide, so I'm gonna let you decide.
Thanks. 🙂
 
#2
:up: you 'came across' that?! I wish I could be so lucky 😛
Not a lot of power tubes I noticed.
You could do like me, build a Fender Champion-like amp with it, that would take a ecc83 and a el84.
You have some ef86's, I'm also thinking Vox ac15.

Just a few suggestions, there's so much choice..
 
#3
I don't like Feneder . Vox is beater choice. 🙂 Thanx for advice Miniwatt (Philips?)

I have some questions about these tubes

EL34 has label on it and it says "v8"
Does it means anything?
Here is pic:
http://i54.tinypic.com/dza5if.jpg


The printings on these tubesa are gone. How can I determine what it is:
(triode/pentode inside with metal screen, 9 pin)
http://i53.tinypic.com/2e3anhf.jpg

This also loosed shes printings:
Pentode, Mesh plate
http://i51.tinypic.com/2lvcz5s.jpg

So if anyone knows anything just say 🙂
Don't be afraid, I only kill when I'm bored 😀 😎
 
#6
Yeah, you should find tons of guitar amp schematics that use just ECC83 (12AX7), ECC82 (12AU7) and EL84 (6BQ5). Google is your friend.

The EF86's are more commonly used for hi-fi input sections, and therefore they will be of no use to you whatsoever, so you may as well send them to me. Seriously, I do have some 5U4 rectifier tubes (and a bunch of others) to trade if you if you want to.

..Todd
 
Last edited:
#8
infernal said:
EL34 has label on it and it says "v8"
Does it means anything?
Click to expand...
Nothing useful; The tube sockets will sometimes be labeled like that on the chassis (V1 through V-whatever) Someone probably labeled that tube like that before removing it, to make sure it went back into the same socket.

The printings on these tubesa are gone. How can I determine what it is:
Click to expand...
You can only guess, and that's usually not a good idea.


Don't be afraid, I only kill when I'm bored 😀 😎
Click to expand...
Working with tubes will slowly convert you from being homicidal to being suicidal due to the localized nature of the lethal voltages. It's just a matter of convenience and lack of portability. Having said that, there have been recent innovations such as the "insert tongue here" socket, which help to retain and support one's homicidal tendencies. In the past, homicidal DIY'ers have had to rely on not using protective covers, and that usually only results in occasional minor injuries.

..Todd
 
Last edited:
#10
infernal said:
@taj:
I would not agree that there is no place for EF86 in the guitar amplifiers.
Lets say that VOX AC15-H(hand wired)
has: 1 x EF86, 3 x ECC83/12AX7, 2 x EL84, and 1 x EZ81.
And it sounds awesome. 🙂

@el156: Telefunken EL156 is used, and EF86 weren't: http://i51.tinypic.com/260a592.jpg
I live in Bosnia. The exchange would be hard but we can try 🙂
Click to expand...
No problem, i can send you the transformer,as far as i dont have use to it ,i play only with HIFI ,and yuo can make a nice guitar amp with it !
My email is silvino_ramos@hotmail.com ,so if you are interested send me your adress and i will send the OPT ,and then you can send me the tubes.
Silvino
 
#13
Gilgy said:
EF86 and EL84 just screams "clean and smooth guitar tone" to me. Although the obvious cop-out would be ECC83 and EL34.

Dunno, I always fancied knocking up a guitar amp based on ECL82 but never got round to it.
Click to expand...

Did one with a PCL82 and a PCF80. The TV tube guitar amp 🙂 I never got round to tweaking it beyond initial build, but it has the sweetest clean tones.

Kenneth
 
#14
You need one of these. I've built two of them. One with el84's and one with 6L6's. The 6L6 version was too clean - very much like a fender twin - so loud it would melt the paint off the walls. Really nice smooth warm tone with the EL84's and still loud enough to keep up with drums.
It's cheap to build too. You need a 6.6K to 8K 15-20 watt output transformer and a 275-0-275 120ma PT using a diode rectifier. The schematic shows 360V B+ going to the plates. I'd keep it down around 330V for el84's.

It's basically a modded 18 watt Marshall. I think it beats the pants off an AC15. Go to the 18watt.com forum for more info.

http://www.18watt.com/files/18wattSuperliteTMB.gif
 
#15
Bigbeck nice and simple amp.
But I want some Boost switch to.
What about adding a boost with another 12ax7?
Will that ruin a clean tone that you talked about and add more distorsion ?
I would use toggle switch for boost and one pot.
Your opinion?
 
#17
Working with tubes will slowly convert you from being homicidal to being suicidal due to the localized nature of the lethal voltages. It's just a matter of convenience and lack of portability. Having said that, there have been recent innovations such as the "insert tongue here" socket, which help to retain and support one's homicidal tendencies. In the past, homicidal DIY'ers have had to rely on not using protective covers, and that usually only results in occasional minor injuries.
Click to expand...

It is also good to always use tools that do not have insulated grips on them and NEVER work inside the amp with only one hand when it is powered up. ALWAYS use both hands. And NEVER discharge the capacitors before servicing. NEVER work on a tube amp that is not powered up. It could fail to cause serious injury.
 
#19
Impedance matching

infernal said:
Lets say that VOX AC15-H(hand wired)
has: 1 x EF86, 3 x ECC83/12AX7, 2 x EL84, and 1 x EZ81.
And it sounds awesome. 🙂
Click to expand...

Hi infernal,

making a VOX AC15 is a great idea, but do note that AC15 uses two EL84 and AC30 uses four EL84, thus if you use AC30 output transformer you will have to use two times the Load Impedance for the loudspeakers to correctly match the two EL84 to the speaker load for the AC30 transformer.

Your P series tubes require a different Filament Voltage to the E series tubes,
and the D tube and the U tube require different Filament Voltages.
 
Last edited:
#20
Ya, I like the AC30 or 15 idea. But AC30 OPT is complicated for AC15 and cuz of impedance. I'm no expert for cabinets or speakers but Would 2 speakers of 8Ohm connected in parallel be 4Ohm. So If i Connect 2 parralel 8Ohm speakers on 4Ohm load on secondary of a OPT it should be ok?
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom