Thunderbird Club

[bobyoung53]

KT-120s... I don't think 88s would need the extra transformer.

Oh I know it. My point is that they are all interchangeable in a pinch though although bad things can happen and I wouldn't do it but they're from the same family, at least all the 6(X)6 tubes are. (Edit, I don't mean all power tubes are) I bought an SVT here in Lima about 20 years ago in which someone had put 6L6GC's in it, I thought it had been modded but nope and the funny thing is that one side was biased all the way hot and the other side was biased all the way cold and the hot side didn't glow cherry red, they were old GE pulls from Fenders, you could see the claw marks on the bases. It actually sounded like a Fender amp.
The plate voltage in an SVT is close to 700 volts, probably 200 more than 6L6's are designed for so I doubt they were in it for very long. I didn't use it until I bought proper 6550's and changed all the power supply caps.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Oh I know it. My point is that they are all interchangeable in a pinch though although bad things can happen and I wouldn't do it but they're from the same family, at least all the 6(X)6 tubes are. I bought an SVT here in Lima about 20 years ago in which someone had put 6L6GC's in it, I thought it had been modded but nope and the funny thing is that one side was biased all the way hot and the other side was biased all the way cold and the hot side didn't glow cherry red, they were old GE pulls from Fenders, you could see the claw marks on the bases. It actually sounded like a Fender amp.
The plate voltage in an SVT is close to 700 volts, probably 200 more than 6L6's are designed for so I doubt they were in it for very long. I didn't use it until I bought proper 6550's and changed all the power supply caps.

I’ve seen people change out EL-34s for 6L6s (34s are more desirable and sell for a pretty penny) in Marshalls and Hiwatts and get away (not optimally of course) with it……the opposite swap wouldn’t work however….

 

[PillO]

I’ve seen people change out EL-34s for 6L6s (34s are more desirable and sell for a pretty penny) in Marshalls and Hiwatts and get away (not optimally of course) with it……the opposite swap wouldn’t work however….

The Traynor YBA 100 and YBA 300 can take either 6L6 or EL34; just requires re-biasing. A nice feature.

YBA100 – Traynor Amps
The YBA series signature is its versatility. The stock YBA100 ships with 4 hand-selected and tested 6L6 power tubes, delivering a classic smooth tube tone. For players looking for a more aggressive bass sound, the stock 6L6 tubes can be easily changed to any high quality EL34 tube set and be re-biased in the field, making the YBA100 essentially two amps in one chassis.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

prolly this setup tonight…

 

[GonePlaid]

Good the Rotosounds Nickles only come in Long Scale and I'm going to try those first.

If you do get extra long strings, you can use the excess wire you trim offa them as probes when cleaning out small holes.

Seriously, one needs to check the distance from where the ball ends mount (whether on the back of the bridge or on a claw). I had that problem with my Ibanez AGB200. It's a short scale(supposedly), but the balls mount about 2 3/4 inches behind the bridge. Takes medium scale strings. Otherwise the silks overhang the nut.

 

[bobyoung53]

I’ve seen people change out EL-34s for 6L6s (34s are more desirable and sell for a pretty penny) in Marshalls and Hiwatts and get away (not optimally of course) with it……the opposite swap wouldn’t work however….

I was amazed when I opened up that SVT and found the 6L6's in it. I found it in a music store here in Lima on the floor for 300 bucks about 20 years ago. I bought it without even trying it IIRC, as they were still a lot more expensive than that back here even then. I got it home and turned it on, it was humming but sounded pretty good but I noticed it didn't sound like an SVT, sounded more like a Fender tube amp. I think the owner just threw some old 6L6's in it to get rid of it. I never would have thought that different tubes sounded differently from each other at least to that degree until I opened it up after playing around with it for a while because it there was a pronounced difference.

 

[MCF]

Wondered where you'd gotten off to!

Are you bringing your NR?

Yep. And the ‘15 and the Short Scale.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

The Traynor YBA 100 and YBA 300 can take either 6L6 or EL34; just requires re-biasing. A nice feature.

YBA100 – Traynor Amps
The YBA series signature is its versatility. The stock YBA100 ships with 4 hand-selected and tested 6L6 power tubes, delivering a classic smooth tube tone. For players looking for a more aggressive bass sound, the stock 6L6 tubes can be easily changed to any high quality EL34 tube set and be re-biased in the field, making the YBA100 essentially two amps in one chassis.

need to rebias and provision has been made for the suppressor grid on the 34 which is internally grounded in the 6L6 as it was developed for low frequency (audio) applications….the 34 on the other hand has this grid floating as it could be used as a modulator tube for AM transmitters….not every 6L6 amp (mostly older models) account for this and leave that terminal floating…iow, the 34 is a true pentode where the american designs 6V6s, 6L6s, 6550s and so on are (beam powered) tetrodes…

 

[El Diablo Rojo]

If you do get extra long strings, you can use the excess wire you trim offa them as probes when cleaning out small holes.

Seriously, one needs to check the distance from where the ball ends mount (whether on the back of the bridge or on a claw). I had that problem with my Ibanez AGB200. It's a short scale(supposedly), but the balls mount about 2 3/4 inches behind the bridge. Takes medium scale strings. Otherwise the silks overhang the nut.
View attachment 4725479

Yep my Hagstrom small scale takes medium strings...ask me how I know LOL.

 

[GonePlaid]

need to rebias and provision has been made for the screen grid on the 34 which is internally grounded in the 6L6 as it was developed for low frequency (audio) applications….the 34 on the other hand has this grid floating as it could be used as a modulator tube for AM transmitters….not every 6L6 amp (mostly older models) account for this and leave that terminal floating…iow, the 34 is a true pentode where the american designs 6V6s, 6L6s, 6550s and so on are (beam powered) tetrodes…

Hmph! Easy for you to say.

Actually, it prolly is. I just have no effing idea what it all means. Prolly best I stay with my SS-and light weight-Rumbles.

 

[GonePlaid]

Yep my Hagstrom small scale takes medium strings...ask me how I know LOL.

Prolly the same *%$# way I know.

 

[GonePlaid]

The Traynor YBA 100 and YBA 300 can take either 6L6 or EL34; just requires re-biasing. A nice feature.

YBA100 – Traynor Amps
The YBA series signature is its versatility. The stock YBA100 ships with 4 hand-selected and tested 6L6 power tubes, delivering a classic smooth tube tone. For players looking for a more aggressive bass sound, the stock 6L6 tubes can be easily changed to any high quality EL34 tube set and be re-biased in the field, making the YBA100 essentially two amps in one chassis.

I still want one of these and a light weight 2x12 bass cab. Maybe one day when "my ship comes in." ('course I'll be at the airport when it does)

 

[Gaolee]

Happy Thunderbird Father’s Day my friends!

I’m hopelessly behind. The brush clearing project has taken up all my free time the last three weeks. My son is taking care of his grandfather, so I’ve been doing it all myself. A half acre. Ugh. I’ve even become an expert with a chainsaw; both using and maintaining it. I’m taking today off to let my sore muscles rest.

Still planning to attend the get together in a couple weeks!

We have a small urban lot, but in a wet spring like we are having, a lot of weeds grow in a hurry. The yard waste bin probably weighs 200 lbs this week. It is big, but it is completely full.

The good side is that we have ripe peas, a few strawberries already, and it looks like a bumper crop of cherries. And the potatoes I put in five or so years ago keep multiplying. We have some good onions coming as well. And because it is Seattle, we have lots and lots of flowers.

The bad side is that I am beat now and probably won't pick up a guitar, let alone a Thunderbird or drum sticks.

 

[JJR58]

prolly this setup tonight…
View attachment 4725436

I absolutely must try that Greco.

 

[Gaolee]

Don't know about you folk but one of my favourite drummers I always forgot when listing such things is Dave Mattacks. Here playing with the great unsung Mickey Jupp. The snare fill around 3:10 gets me every time.

Thanks. That is a lot of fun. I miss playing that kind of music. Drums or upright bass. It doesn't matter.

 

[GonePlaid]

We have a small urban lot, but in a wet spring like we are having, a lot of weeds grow in a hurry. The yard waste bin probably weighs 200 lbs this week. It is big, but it is completely full.

The good side is that we have ripe peas, a few strawberries already, and it looks like a bumper crop of cherries. And the potatoes I put in five or so years ago keep multiplying. We have some good onions coming as well. And because it is Seattle, we have lots and lots of flowers.

The bad side is that I am beat now and probably won't pick up a guitar, let alone a Thunderbird or drum sticks.

Cold fried chicken?

 

[GonePlaid]

I still want one of these and a light weight 2x12 bass cab. Maybe one day when "my ship comes in." ('course I'll be at the airport when it does)

What am I sayin'? I don't fly. I'll be at the train station.

 

[Gaolee]

Cold fried chicken?

Only when I wake up in the morning.

 

[GonePlaid]

Only when I wake up in the morning.

Too shay.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Hmph! Easy for you to say.

Actually, it prolly is. I just have no effing idea what it all means. Prolly best I stay with my SS-and light weight-Rumbles.

hey, I’m game….