NAD: Fortin Evil Pumpkin

[killertone]

The power tubes were spec’d by me so any other story or explanation is completely false. When we were testing the prototype (which is the amp I own) I settled on a pair of EL34s and a pair of 6CA7s. I dug the shit out of it like that at the time. In the 2 years or so since the amp came out I changed mine to a pair of 6L6s and a pair of 6CA7s. We all know how preferences change over time and we all use different tubes now and again. I very may well go back to the originals or may even try something else. Just as we all do from time to time...

Haven’t tried any 6550 or KT88s in it yet. I did realize that the bear traps were in the way of the large base tubes. That is a bummer and not something that I had an issue with during prototyping as I was only trying 6L6, 6CA7, and EL34 at that time.

The decision to add the Killer Kali channel was also mine. In fact just about every decision function wise by me. Mike is a rad dude and let me have my way with the design of the amp. It was a blast working on this.

I am running my 6L6s at 72mA and the 6CA7s at 68mA. I love it like that but you can run it hotter or colder to your tastes of course. Just follow the standard rules of biasing and you’ll be fine.

I honestly can not remember what the OG EP had in it when I first got it back in 2009. Yeah, it was that long ago…it currently has a pair of 6550s and a pair of 6L6s in it and it rips super hard.

My original Killer Kali++ has always had 6550s in it and still does to this day. It does not have the dual bias option as I specifically did not want that on that amp.

 

[FourT6and2]

The power tubes were spec’d by me so any other story or explanation is completely false. When we were testing the prototype (which is the amp I own) I settled on a pair of EL34s and a pair of 6CA7s. I dug the shit out of it like that at the time. In the 2 years or so since the amp came out I changed mine to a pair of 6L6s and a pair of 6CA7s. We all know how preferences change over time and we all use different tubes now and again. I very may well go back to the originals or may even try something else. Just as we all do from time to time...

I don't know what tubes you actually tried but the ones that come in the production amp aren't 6CA7. I asked Fortin and they said, "We used a few different brands of tubes due to lack of availability at the time these amps were produced." No big deal; I was just curious.

The only modern, current production 6CA7 are JJ and EH. And only the EH are actual beam tetrode (real 6CA7). The JJ is a hybrid design. Any other modern tube that says 6CA7 on the glass is just a relabeled EL34.

In the end, it doesn't matter. If it sounds good, it sounds good.

 

[harddriver]

I don't know what tubes you actually tried but the ones that come in the production amp aren't 6CA7. I asked Fortin and they said, "We used a few different brands of tubes due to lack of availability at the time these amps were produced." No big deal; I was just curious.

The only modern, current production 6CA7 are JJ and EH. And only the EH are actual beam tetrode (real 6CA7). The JJ is a hybrid design. Any other modern tube that says 6CA7 on the glass is just a relabeled EL34.

In the end, it doesn't matter. If it sounds good, it sounds good.

As you already know the Ruby EL34BHT was considered a heavy duty EL34 and from the pics you posted those internal cathode plates do resemble a 6L6 somewhat in your pics whether or not the tubes in your Evil Pumpkin amp is a beam forming element tetrodes I just don't know. I remember somewhere described the Sylvania 6CA7 as a 6L6 with an EL34 pinout and I feel that fits.

If the EH6CA7's won't fit then I think the closest new production EL34 that might fit basewise and gives that higher headroom 6L6 ish tone probably would be the Russian Tung Sol Reissue EL34B as Novosibir (Larry) mentioned earlier.

Even though the JJ6ca7 is a still a power pentode from all the information I have been able to gather about them(JJ has never been 100% clear) but the base may fit better.

KT-77's which are kinkless tetrodes might also give a more 6L6 type response and fit the chassis better and KT-77 were always considered a heavy duty EL34 but have 6L6 qualities about them, headroom and how they break up.

Here's are pics of a Shuguang Ruby 6L6GC and the internal plates are similar to the pics you posted and the glass envelope is more flared at the bottom and a larger diameter to the EL34's But the BHT's also look similar.

 

[FourT6and2]

Any tube will fit just fine if you remove the bear claws and screws

 

[novosibir]

Even though the JJ6ca7 is a still a power pentode from all the information I have been able to gather about them(JJ has never been 100% clear) but the base may fit better.

You can easily check if it's a Beam Power Tetrode or a real Pentode.
Look through a window in the plate at the grids in the tube, then strike the strings hard. If one of the grids then lights up brighter, it is the screen grid and it is therefore a real Pentode.

Btw, in the 50s the Americans further developed the tetrode (with the power kink in the middle power range) to the beam power tetrode (kinkless tetrode), because they were not allowed to build pentodes because of the German patents and thus to circumvent the German patents. Only a few people know that.

 

[napalmdeath]

It pushes against the side of the screws, but it isn’t on top. I do now see that the socket sits slightly below the chassis; however, it still feels like the pins push in relatively far and seat quite nicely.View attachment 444884

That's stupid! If they're quality sockets, you shouldn't need the bear traps.

 

[TexasBaritone]

You can easily check if it's a Beam Power Tetrode or a real Pentode.
Look through a window in the plate at the grids in the tube, then strike the strings hard. If one of the grids then lights up brighter, it is the screen grid and it is therefore a real Pentode.

Btw, in the 50s the Americans further developed the tetrode (with the power kink in the middle power range) to the beam power tetrode (kinkless tetrode), because they were not allowed to build pentodes because of the German patents and thus to circumvent the German patents. Only a few people know that.

I’m curious as to whether Leo Fender was ever obsessed with Jim Marshall copying elements of his amp designs? You seem to have been trying to trash Mike Fortin for many years regarding your perception of him “stealing” something about your amps. For me, it’s both sad & comical given all of the misinformation you’ve been spreading with claims about the EP being a Chinese made amp when it’s not. The fact that you and Jon Schaffer have often sounded like you’re wannabe fascists is even more silly and ridiculous, but it is somewhat entertaining at times. https://www.metalsucks.net/2024/10/...-insurrection-i-profoundly-regret-my-actions/

 

[novosibir]

I’m curious as to whether Leo Fender was ever obsessed with Jim Marshall copying elements of his amp designs? You seem to have been trying to trash Mike Fortin for many years regarding your perception of him “stealing” something about your amps. For me, it’s both sad & comical given all of the misinformation you’ve been spreading with claims about the EP being a Chinese made amp when it’s not. The fact that you and Jon Schaffer have often sounded like you’re wannabe fascists is even more silly and ridiculous, but it is somewhat entertaining at times.

The difference between me and Leo Fender is perhaps that Leo had taken his circuits almost unchanged from the RCA application recommendations at that time and therefore could not accuse Jim Marshall of theft of intellectual property, because Jim could have taken his first ideas from these RCA application recommendations as well - whereas I had invested what felt like 300-500 hours exclusively in the development and in studio and live tests of my circuits.

In addition, Mike tried to suck the most detailed information out of me in hundreds of emails for years starting in 2004, then ordered a Dino and British Purist from me, but at no time did he reveal his true plans, but only presented himself as a frenetic guitarist and fanatical gear head. So he deliberately deceived me... what of course was proof of his 'impeccable character' - and half a year after he had received the second amp ordered from me, he announced the founding of Fortin Amplification, whereby years later I was able to determine through re-engineering that he had copied my circuits in some of his amps to almost 100%.

In the meantime however this has long since passed me by, because no one is demonstrably (!) capable of copying a Larry amp - not even if he had 10 amps from me on his bench. But the reasons why this is not possible would go too far here and I would probably have to reveal some of my last secrets. Besides, it wouldn't worry me anymore if so, because I had announced an order stop in January after the delivery time on my amps broke the 5-year limit due to the many backorders, so I wouldn't lose absolutely nothing through such a theoretical case.

Nevertheless, I wouldn't recommend Mike to run into me at some point in real life, because I'm a guy who can forget occasionally applicable laws for a short time and then tends to rather archaic actions.

But how you came to span the arc from Jon Schaffer to Mike Fortin in one sentence is completely puzzling to me.

Any other questions?

 

[CrystalSky]

I’m curious as to whether Leo Fender was ever obsessed with Jim Marshall copying elements of his amp designs? You seem to have been trying to trash Mike Fortin for many years regarding your perception of him “stealing” something about your amps. For me, it’s both sad & comical given all of the misinformation you’ve been spreading with claims about the EP being a Chinese made amp when it’s not. The fact that you and Jon Schaffer have often sounded like you’re wannabe fascists is even more silly and ridiculous, but it is somewhat entertaining at times. https://www.metalsucks.net/2024/10/...-insurrection-i-profoundly-regret-my-actions/View attachment 445137

We still got no proof of where EP is made honestly.

And I don’t know about Leo Fender, but we live in a very different, far more cruel cannibalistic market economy, I’d be pissed af if someone ripped off something that I came up with. And a lot of people and companies do, hence the patents exist.

Maybe at least aknowledging the “inspired by” thingy would be a good move? But Mike’s head seems to be too high up in the clouds or too deep up his own ass depending on what angle you look at it.

As for calling someone fascist, the world is just too fatigued of DEI bullshit everywhere. Are we all fascist now?

 

[novosibir]

We still got no proof of where EP is made honestly.

Correct!

Only the fact that the EP NOW uses UK made transformers, which was not the case in the past, does not prove that the complete rest of the amp does not come from Chinese production.

The almost 3 years of delivery delays during the Corona period alone suggest that this had caused the problems in the supply chain. In any case, I had no problems with the delivery of products from the UK during this period.

 

[TexasBaritone]

We still got no proof of where EP is made honestly.

And I don’t know about Leo Fender, but we live in a very different, far more cruel cannibalistic market economy, I’d be pissed af if someone ripped off something that I came up with. And a lot of people and companies do, hence the patents exist.

Maybe at least aknowledging the “inspired by” thingy would be a good move? But Mike’s head seems to be too high up in the clouds or too deep up his own ass depending on what angle you look at it.

As for calling someone fascist, the world is just too fatigued of DEI bullshit everywhere. Are we all fascist now?

No proof of where the EP was made? There were videos clearly showing it was made in the UK. Everyone copies everything that isn’t patented in every industry, so Larry either was incompetent in not seeking patent protection or he knew that nothing he did was unique enough to justify a patent. I didn’t call him a fascist. I clearly said he sounds like a wannabe fascist in his posts. Maybe you are “too fatigued of DEI bullshit everywhere”, but saying the world has the same opinion as you is laughable.

 

[novosibir]

No proof of where the EP was made? There were videos clearly showing it was made in the UK.

Then you certainly can post links of these videos?

 

[S̷͖͑m̵͎͂á̵̺s̸͚̈́h̴̬̑]

There is a lot of anger in this thread. But what i want is clips

 

[CrystalSky]

No proof of where the EP was made? There were videos clearly showing it was made in the UK. Everyone copies everything that isn’t patented in every industry, so Larry either was incompetent in not seeking patent protection or he knew that nothing he did was unique enough to justify a patent. I didn’t call him a fascist. I clearly said he sounds like a wannabe fascist in his posts. Maybe you are “too fatigued of DEI bullshit everywhere”, but saying the world has the same opinion as you is laughable.

What videos we talking about? And I can make you a video that I am assembling them in my bathroom, God bless the AI lol

If you only knew, how much hassle and financial burden it is to patent something, you would definitely chill on the matter

Oh I can bet that there are much more people fatigued by this DEI and other bullshit that was happening during that term than those who support it in the world, even without substracting all that biomass that benefits from it. Have you even noticed, how games and movies went shit with all that “girl boss” and forced inclusivity quotes bullshit? Can’t wait for a white actor cast for MLK role to see you guys’ faces

 

[TexasBaritone]

Nevertheless, I wouldn't recommend Mike to run into me at some point in real life, because I'm a guy who can forget occasionally applicable laws for a short time and then tends to rather archaic actions.

I’m sure Mike is scared to run into a half blind old man. It’s hilarious how you’re constantly thinking about him while he could care less about you or where your amps are built. Talk about living rent free in your head. LOL!!

 

[novosibir]

There is a lot of anger in this thread. But what i want is clips

I can't see anger, just amusement and late night pastime to distract from my work.
But clips would still be very desirable.

 

[Techdeth]

We still got no proof of where EP is made honestly.

And I don’t know about Leo Fender, but we live in a very different, far more cruel cannibalistic market economy, I’d be pissed af if someone ripped off something that I came up with. And a lot of people and companies do, hence the patents exist.

Maybe at least aknowledging the “inspired by” thingy would be a good move? But Mike’s head seems to be too high up in the clouds or too deep up his own ass depending on what angle you look at it.

As for calling someone fascist, the world is just too fatigued of DEI bullshit everywhere. Are we all fascist now?

Dude I’m so lost . I came for amps and now we back to politics . You know me . Idc anyone’s politics if your cool . RT keeeos me entertained lol

 

[novosibir]

I’m sure Mike is scared to run into a half blind old man. It’s hilarious how you’re constantly thinking about him while he could care less about you or where your amps are built. Talk about living rent free in your head. LOL!!

I’m sure Mike is scared to run into a half blind old man. It’s hilarious how you’re constantly thinking about him while he could care less about you or where your amps are built. Talk about living rent free in your head. LOL!!

I always think of Mike when someone reminds me of him, inevitably.
And I still see well enough to recognize him in public and place my fist unerringly in his face.
However, I only solder my solder joints intuitively out of feeling, because I am - as you say - half blind...
... and that's one of my secrets why my amps sound so overwhelmingly good

 

[CrystalSky]

Dude I’m so lost . I came for amps and now we back to politics . You know me . Idc anyone’s politics if your cool . RT keeeos me entertained lol

I just saw this dude go “fascist this, fascist that” and I can smell a DEI supporter from across the pond in such cases

EDIT: But for real, enough of this bullshit.

Let’s just say Forting is a sketchy lil bastard and we still don’t know where EP amps are made and Larry also has every right to be pissed and Mike. As simple as that.

 

[FourT6and2]

No proof of where the EP was made? There were videos clearly showing it was made in the UK.

This video?