I assume it would be the same with a 5691 as it has a similar draw as the 6SN7? Thanks again for your time.
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Jule Amps Monique part 5
- Thread starter Chef
- Start date
- Dec 10, 2006
- 1,338
- 2,180
- Disclosures
- Owner and creator of Jule Amps: Monique and Simone and Bass Amps
Yes. The 6SN7 and 5691 require 600 ma heater current. Twice what a 6SL7 needs.
- Dec 10, 2006
- 1,338
- 2,180
- Disclosures
- Owner and creator of Jule Amps: Monique and Simone and Bass Amps
I'm not sure enough of exactly what you are looking for. Don't want to give a guess answer. Please pm me or email me directly. I am sure I can help.
I forgot to ask what your objective is. Sorry.
What are you looking for or to get rid of? Or do you just want to see what other tubes sound like?
There are a wide array of 6SL7 tubes available. The EH stuff (Tung Sol, Sovtek) is interesting, with differences between identical tubes. The JJ is not a GT so a bit low on gain, but pretty sounding. It is about 4db down. The Russians make a 6N9P that is their version of the 6SL7. My preference continues to be the Shuguang 6SL7/6N9P due to its durability and consistent musical tone. I have not found a good NOS 6SL7 for quite a while. Most are microphonic. Some folks swear by them. I suspect those people are luckier than I have been.
A significant change can be made by moving to the EZ80 instead of the EZ81 in the rectifier position. I am sure others who have done this can help in this area. There are no new production EZ80 rectifiers, hence it is not what comes stock in Monique.
Thanks so much Jule, it’s hard to even imagine I would receive a response so quickly from someone so well respected. I am humbled.
I was just seeing what my options were with NOS tubes to try and make Monique as quiet and “vintage” as possible. What would a EZ80 rectifier do? More sag? Sorry for the newby questions. I was intrigued as I noticed a fun difference swapping the 12AU7 to an old smooth plate telefunken I had around.
Have a nice night everyone.
- Dec 10, 2006
- 1,338
- 2,180
- Disclosures
- Owner and creator of Jule Amps: Monique and Simone and Bass Amps
Out of all bad stuff, some things become more clear. For me, now more than ever, I feel we are all in this together. I appreciate your question.
Preface: I apologize to all Bass Players for the following investigation. It's geeky stuff and in no way will make you a better Bass Player. But it might make it more fun, and that's the point.
The EZ80 does not have the current capability of the EZ81. Plenty for our Monique purposes, but less. With that decrease, there are more opportunities for SAG, but that is a smaller part of the story. Better than the word Sag, I would say you will notice increased sensitivity to your string attack. That can widen your pallet of tone. I think that is what the EZ80 primarily adds.
When I say the above, I do not want anyone to think stock Monique is a slouch when it comes to string attack sensitivity. Ain't the case. We are looking for tweaks in this investigation. To think of this in reverse, consider a Dual Rectifier Guitar Amp. We've all heard them. I still build one on request every few years or so. I think of that tone as a freight train not stopping when it hits the end of line at the station. Not a lot of subtlety, but there is no ignoring it. We are doing the opposite thing by using less current capability in our rectifier.
Any tube rectifier is primarily a resistive element. Decreasing instantaneous current capability across a resistor seems to smooth out gnarly bits, especially high frequencies. I think I'll trademark "gnarly bits."
Preface: I apologize to all Bass Players for the following investigation. It's geeky stuff and in no way will make you a better Bass Player. But it might make it more fun, and that's the point.
The EZ80 does not have the current capability of the EZ81. Plenty for our Monique purposes, but less. With that decrease, there are more opportunities for SAG, but that is a smaller part of the story. Better than the word Sag, I would say you will notice increased sensitivity to your string attack. That can widen your pallet of tone. I think that is what the EZ80 primarily adds.
When I say the above, I do not want anyone to think stock Monique is a slouch when it comes to string attack sensitivity. Ain't the case. We are looking for tweaks in this investigation. To think of this in reverse, consider a Dual Rectifier Guitar Amp. We've all heard them. I still build one on request every few years or so. I think of that tone as a freight train not stopping when it hits the end of line at the station. Not a lot of subtlety, but there is no ignoring it. We are doing the opposite thing by using less current capability in our rectifier.
Any tube rectifier is primarily a resistive element. Decreasing instantaneous current capability across a resistor seems to smooth out gnarly bits, especially high frequencies. I think I'll trademark "gnarly bits."
I outfitted my Monique with all RCA JAN tubes. It sounded as Jule said, “pretty.” Perhaps in the studio for a tune. One note at time was pretty. Fast pizzicato and it wasn’t expressive. The biggest difference was the rectifier. The RCA just sagged. Exactly what a guitarist would love but for a bassist all the punch was gone. The EH is perfect. Punch that makes me get better at my technique! It’s better than I am.
Since Monique needs to be consistent studio to stage and I need to be able to get replacements anywhere, the Shuangs and the EH are staying. If there was a sound improvement I’d keep the NOSs in there. There wasn’t.
This swap showed me Jule’s ear is the thing. My mind would say of course ancient RCAs would be superior. All that brilliant design and handwired
goodness excels with modern tubes. IMHO. YMMV.
Since Monique needs to be consistent studio to stage and I need to be able to get replacements anywhere, the Shuangs and the EH are staying. If there was a sound improvement I’d keep the NOSs in there. There wasn’t.
This swap showed me Jule’s ear is the thing. My mind would say of course ancient RCAs would be superior. All that brilliant design and handwired
goodness excels with modern tubes. IMHO. YMMV.
NCD...just tried this combo...wow! Creamy and powerfully quick! I sometimes forget how Swiss Army knife Monique can be with gain options. Line Level pulled out (Sensitivity push in), both set at 12:00, with Simone 500 at 1:00...dead-quiet noise floor, and punches way above its weight class into my 8 ohm Berg NXT210 (rated 500w)... Beautiful creamy and powerful tone...
- Dec 10, 2006
- 1,338
- 2,180
- Disclosures
- Owner and creator of Jule Amps: Monique and Simone and Bass Amps
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
- 27,956
- 20,348
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- Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
Looks like a first run or close to it
Yeah, I put in a Mullard rectifier and it killed the liveliness of the Monique. I've also run a number of vintage and NOS/JAN tubes. I found the brown base Tung Sol to work the best, but it didn't last terribly long. These days I get tested/verified modern tubes (I've been using the modern new sensor Tung Sols) from a place that actually gives pretty good detailed test results and matches. I buy a few sets at a time so I have a set of spares, and I also have a full kit of Jule-provided extras in a little Pelican case in my gigbag.
Monique > NV412...tubes and sealed ceramic’s! 
- Dec 10, 2006
- 1,338
- 2,180
- Disclosures
- Owner and creator of Jule Amps: Monique and Simone and Bass Amps
There is a serial number on the back upper left side. With that, I can tell you when it left the shop. I'm thinking 2013 - 2015? Make sure your Grandkids play so you can pass it on.
- Dec 10, 2006
- 1,338
- 2,180
- Disclosures
- Owner and creator of Jule Amps: Monique and Simone and Bass Amps
Sure. There are a lot of excellent preamps out there that will serve you well.
I'd check the specification on the Output Level of the pedal you are considering to make sure the preamp can push the Simone 500 full tilt. Like many bass amps, the Simone 500 input is optimized for almost Line Level, -10dBm to +4. Most pedals seem to do that easily. The Simone 500 has a clip light to tell you when you give it too much level.
The "normal" output level of a passive Bass is about -26dBm and that will push the Simone 500 nicely, but not full tilt. Some active basses give us crazy high levels. I've seen some above 18 volts, about +25dBm. That's enough to fry the front end on some pedals. Tube gear won't break with high input levels. Solid state input devices with high input levels instantaneously become microscopic scale incendiary devices. Sounds funny 'cause it's true.
As to excellent pedals, the good people at DarkGlass, Carey Nordstrand, The Dunlop folks, come to mind because they are people who have been very kind to me over the years -and they make great gear.
I never had a chance to post a pitcure with my Monique Tardis onthis thread... fixed
Next week is my first gig in 9 months, backline is provided (Agi Tonehammer & Agi 810).
I used to be happy to have Backline..... until I got my Jule Amps Monique M700.
I used to be happy to have Backline..... until I got my Jule Amps Monique M700.
Back in lockdown again since Monday night, but I guess I’ll manage. Stay safe everyone.
