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| | |-+  The 6V6 18watt Stray Cat works like a charm
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Author Topic: The 6V6 18watt Stray Cat works like a charm  (Read 9812 times)
petermerlot
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« on: December 12, 2010, 09:43:33 AM »

Hi There, I just finished a Creme Brulee and it is simply supurb and now I am like a junkie in need of a fix so I am looking at the Stray Cat 30 as my second build but I am only playing at home and in a duo so 30watts is a bit much so I was toying with the idea of 6V6's to help tame the beast in conjunction with the half power switch this should be a good small gigging amp and home amp. What are your thoughts people. I have run it past nick and he has'nt said no so it is a possibility. I see that the Stray Cat uses the same Powre Tranny as the 5E3 Tweed Deluxe and it uses 6V6's. I look forward to the input people....
« Last Edit: March 04, 2011, 01:45:49 PM by petermerlot » Logged
72fetter
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« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2010, 06:25:25 PM »

Very interesting-I too am interested in knowing how to make 6v6's work in this design
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petermerlot
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« Reply #2 on: December 14, 2010, 04:19:04 AM »

well I have just ordered it of Nik and I will let you know how it goes. I will not be able to start it till about 12th Jan 2011 but I should get a good run on it. Fingers crossed
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72fetter
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« Reply #3 on: December 14, 2010, 11:12:10 PM »

is it just a drop in situation or do you have to mod something?
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petermerlot
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« Reply #4 on: December 15, 2010, 12:42:06 PM »

It looks like I just have to change the values on the cathode side so I might install both on a switch then changing one to the other will be a breeze (I hope)
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cmoore
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« Reply #5 on: December 15, 2010, 11:57:50 PM »

The bias, as you say, will need to be adjusted via the cat resistors. I would also be concerned about plate voltage. You can probably change to a different rectifier (5Y3 perhaps) and get down to something more suited for a 6V6. Anybody know the plate voltage of a Stray Cat when it is built per the Ceriatone Layout..?
I know the JJ 6V6 can take the higher Plate V, but I hear a lot of people say they do not sound like a 6V6 "should" sound. Never used the JJ myself, so I cannot say.
The grid resistors may also be a problem.
Good Luck
« Last Edit: December 16, 2010, 12:13:19 AM by hired hand » Logged
petermerlot
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« Reply #6 on: December 23, 2010, 12:31:10 PM »

Hi There Hired Hand, Thanks for the input as it is much appreciated. Nik supplied me with a pair of matched 6V6 JJ Tubes and also a pair of ceramic 470/10W resistors to try out in place of the  2 x  270/10W resistors and thinks that this should do the trick but if not then I will just stick with the EL34's,
Regards
Pete
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cmoore
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« Reply #7 on: December 23, 2010, 04:48:12 PM »

Yeah.....OK
So he has suppled you with a means to deal with the bias, that's good. You know, he is a real nice guy, AND he is pretty sharp. I have conversed with him enough times to say that. He really knows about amps. He does not just copy a layout and throw a product together. He knows what is going on inside all those different colored parts.
Anyway..... Nik must figure the grid resistors are fine as is. Looks like your are all set. You can buy a pair of Tung-Sol 6V6 for not much money. If this works out, you may want to give those a try also.
Best
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petermerlot
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« Reply #8 on: March 01, 2011, 10:57:36 AM »

Hello to all who have been wondering how it will sound on the 6V6's.
I have really been digging the Stray Cat on the EL34'S but finally changed the amp over to the 6V6's and it sounds great. As expected, it dropped the output but the clean is still full and lush. Obviously its tone has changed but not for the worse or for the better, just different and the drive channel still growls and sounds awesome.
This is a great option for home playing or if you are playing in small clubs like in a Duo situation. I am not sure if I will keep it in this configuration or change it back but it is a simple mod and easily reversable. I have not gigged with it in its current form but I see no foreseeable problems and it has been well worth the exercise. I hope that some of you out there will benefit from my trials,
Cheers
Peter...
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