Oh yeah, I know different output tubes sound different. I think the EL84’s give the Vox a lot of its character, but they’re not a necessity for a good sounding amp… 6L6, EL34, EL84, KT88, they’re all different and wonderful in their own unique ways.
Btw, a 12AX7 can’t be used as an output tube because of its impedence, that amp uses a 12AU7 and mine will use a 12AV7, though a 12AX7 is used in the pre-amp.
My mistake, I didn’t bother reading the schematic. 12AU7 and 12AV7 are such low gain tubes that they are rarely used by musicians. But you are right, every tube is different, I was just using those as examples. Traditionally EL34’s are the big favourite among folks who favour power tube breakup. Everyone has their preference, can’t stand 6550s myself. The classic sound of the Marshall is all about an output stage “badly” designed for EL34s. Go figure.
I still maintain that the 12AU7, as an output tube, is going to sound as far away from “vintage tone” as you can possibly get. No matter what the designer claims. Just looking at the design and listening to sound clips I can tell you it’s preamp distortion heaven. It’s a glorified tube distortion pedal with enough juice to drive a speaker. But it all depends on your definition of vintage. Jimmy Page recorded chunks of Led Zeppelin IV by running the guitar through a console’s tube mic preamp and overdriving it. Not my favourite sound but who am I to criticise Page?
I’m not using that exact schem, btw, it’s just an example of a like-minded small amp design.
I’m wiring the 12AV7 triodes in parallel driving a single-ended design while that is a self-split 12AU7. I’m using a 6AU6 tube for clean tones and a 12AX7 driven similarily to the Firefly in a dual-channel design.
All in all I’m hoping it will have some power stage tone, but even if it doesn’t, all I want is tube tone at low volumes without having to bother with attenuators and such. I’m with you on what you wrote above. Adam Alpern used to post extensively on the AX84 and Ampage bulletins and never found a perfect solution other than building low-power amps and using pillows to muffle the volume. You can read through his extensive attenuation research on his site.
A friend of mine with access to cheap wood (works at a lumberyard) is building a small wooden cabinet for it reminiscent of old tube radios and it should look awesome as a guitar amplifier.
I have been playing through the 50 watt Line 6 spider 2x12. It started out nice 2 years ago but isnt loud enough and has become decrepit. Effects kick on out of nowhere and wont go off. Its a huge hassle. Getting ready to buy a Super Reverb. Gotta have tubes! Hey since this is a meeting of guitar players, does anyone have any of their music online. Im interested to hear what every is playing.
Not loud enough?? Geez, are you playing in a stadium? Mine can get exremely loud when I need it to, and I don’t get it close to its max. Sounds like there was something wrong with your amp to begin with. 
But hope you like your new one though.
Cheers,
TraceR
That’s the problem with amps built like computers. A little bit of static and dust and they end up FUBAR. You usually can’t just replace a tube or give it a cap job and bring them back to life. It’s a whole board that needs replacing.
Working on several pieces as I write this. Getting used to ardour after spending a few years with n-track. I got my old Atari back together. It is now synched to my Linux box via SMPTE. I had to do it the old fashioned way because the Atari does not speak MTC. I hope to have some stuff ready by the end of the summer. IF I can get enough of my renovations done maybe I’ll have enough left for a nice Eminence 15" to put in my old road case and turn it into a speaker coffin (isolation box).
shbaz: I remember reading about that guy with the car speaker in the pillow. Funny stuff.
Im sorry…I just reviewed my post. I said I have 2x12 its the 2x10. 2x12 would probably be great. Those tens cant hold the low end like I want them to. They vibrate and sound pretty bad. I learned early on that micing them for shows was a problem. Because of the stereo effects you have to mic both speakers or you only get half of the effect. No line out either. This wouldnt be a problem but I never got around to buying a dual mic clip. Two booms would work but I never bother. I Just crank it up.
BTW…I have a guitar for sale on ebay right now. Its a washburn x40 in good condition. Have a look. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33048&item=7320653137&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW
reserve is 230.00
I have no room to store it.
I just chuckle when people talk about how they bought a solid-state amp because it’s “more reliable.” Tube amps are sturdy suckers if you protect your tubes and hook them up right… SS amps tend to degrade over use and are not generally reperable.
Luckily I didnt buy the Line 6. It was given to me by a very generous man. I think ill after I get the super reverb im just gonna get a line mod pedal. I have used this setup before and its pretty cool. Ill probably use a delay stomp and maybe get a TS for the hell of it. I definetly agree though…digital is only fun until it goes haywire in the middle of solo at a show. You sound great and youre really into it and some crazy delay kicks on a srews up everything. Maybe some of the higher end Line 6 stuff is better. Maybe not…
Ok cool. I have never had problems with effects just poping in all of the sudden. But I hope that never happens. That would be a pain! Hope you like your new amp.