Tube swap in the Monomyth

[bubbastain]

So I've had the Monomyth built on a Ceriatone 2204 platform for a bit now and pretty much set up just how I like. I tried a few different power and preamp tubes and settled on a GT12AT7 in V1, generic Chinese 12AX7B in V2 and a Tung Sol ECC803S gold pin in the PI slot. Running JJ EL34L's for power now too. Really like this combo. The amp had way more gain than I would ever use so running the 12AT7 in V1 gave me a bit more range in the mid gain area. Still, Noon is the highest I go 99% of the time. I'm also using the Blood switch on 99% of the time too.

I meant to just record a 1 or 2 minute clip, but I just starting playing random shit and time passed. I turn the Blood switch on and off once or twice in the video and play with the gain knob mostly. I'm tuned to drop C# instead of my normal Drop B. Also I put on a set of 9-42 strings for the first time in like twenty years. I normally use 10-52 regardless of tuning or scale length. These feel so thin. Pickup is a G.M 59er from eBay. You can probably guess what it's trying to be.

Still no headshell and all I have to say is UPS can suck it!

 

[blackie13]

try 6550's in the Power amp section...

 

[Smash]

Sounds great. I have my amp chassis only, too. Headshell just gets in the way.

 

[controlled_voltage]

this thread changed radically overnight

 

[Racerxrated]

I also used an AT7 in V1. More than enough gain left for any style.

 

[fek]

Sounds really good! I like what the 12AT7 with the gain structure.

I think that I might be in the market for a new amp. Too bad that what I think I want I can't quite justify dropping the type of coin required to acquire it. Henning, Wizard, and Monomyth are just out of my acceptable reach at the moment.

 

[bubbastain]

try 6550's in the Power amp section...

I am thinking of trying a pair of JJ 6CA7’s. Not sure if I can run 6550’s in the amp. I’ll need to check.

 

[blackie13]

try 6550's in the Power amp section...

I am thinking of trying a pair of JJ 6CA7’s. Not sure if I can run 6550’s in the amp. I’ll need to check.

You will need some mods...
I loved 6CA7s in a NMV amp...
I hated them in my 2204...

donno about the monomyth...

 

[Beyond Black]

Clip sounds great, Bubba. You always have good tone. I replaced the EL34’s in my Monomyth with some JJ E34L’s and like it much better. They’re tighter and much punchier. How does the Monomyth and the Molecular compare?

 

[bubbastain]

Clip sounds great, Bubba. You always have good tone. I replaced the EL34’s in my Monomyth with some JJ E34L’s and like it much better. They’re tighter and much punchier. How does the Monomyth and the Molecular compare?

Yeah, I do tend to prefer the EL34L’s. I got rid of the Molecular right before getting the Monomyth so I wasn’t able to compare them side by side. I do remember it really well and can definitely say they are both killer amps. The Molecular needs the diode clipping to get the super high gain and saturation the Monomyth has. The Monomyth is a little simpler and I like that. They are both winners in my book but I do prefer the Monomyth. I also like that it’s built on the small 19” chassis. The volume taper on the Mono is really nice without any sudden jumps.

 

[ErikT]

Man that sounds great! Simple and sexual.

 

[LP Freak]

try 6550's in the Power amp section...

I am thinking of trying a pair of JJ 6CA7’s. Not sure if I can run 6550’s in the amp. I’ll need to check.

Chances are 6550’s won’t bias up without swapping out the bias resistor.

 

[psychodave]

Sounds good. I like that you’re playing loud too. Let the amp breath a little more.

You can also try a 5751 in V1 as well.

If you’re totally happy with the 12AT7 you can find some killer NOS tubes for good prices. I’m talking Mullard 12AT7’s for like $25 a piece.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/253124353808

 

[bubbastain]

try 6550's in the Power amp section...

I am thinking of trying a pair of JJ 6CA7’s. Not sure if I can run 6550’s in the amp. I’ll need to check.

Chances are 6550’s won’t bias up without swapping out the bias resistor.

That's what I figured. I don't want to have to change any internals for 6550's especially since I really like the EL34L's. Still might try 6CA7's down the road to to satisfy my curiosity.

Sounds good. I like that you’re playing loud too. Let the amp breath a little more.

You can also try a 5751 in V1 as well.

If you’re totally happy with the 12AT7 you can find some killer NOS tubes for good prices. I’m talking Mullard 12AT7’s for like $25 a piece.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/253124353808

Funny you mentioned the volume and I agree. I actually normally play it with the volume knob a bit higher and didn't notice it was a bit lower than normal until well into the clip. It sounds good down near 9 o'clock, but it sounds better where I had it in the clip and it sounds even a little better up a little from there. Yeah, I am pretty happy with the 12AT7 but I do want to try a 5751 as well as one of those 12DW7's(?). I just didn't have any. I'll get those 12AT7's you sent a link for if you recommend them. Any recommendations for 5751's?

 

[psychodave]

try 6550's in the Power amp section...

I am thinking of trying a pair of JJ 6CA7’s. Not sure if I can run 6550’s in the amp. I’ll need to check.

Chances are 6550’s won’t bias up without swapping out the bias resistor.

That's what I figured. I don't want to have to change any internals for 6550's especially since I really like the EL34L's. Still might try 6CA7's down the road to to satisfy my curiosity.

Sounds good. I like that you’re playing loud too. Let the amp breath a little more.

You can also try a 5751 in V1 as well.

If you’re totally happy with the 12AT7 you can find some killer NOS tubes for good prices. I’m talking Mullard 12AT7’s for like $25 a piece.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/253124353808

Funny you mentioned the volume and I agree. I actually normally play it with the volume knob a bit higher and didn't notice it was a bit lower than normal until well into the clip. It sounds good down near 9 o'clock, but it sounds better where I had it in the clip and it sounds even a little better up a little from there. Yeah, I am pretty happy with the 12AT7 but I do want to try a 5751 as well as one of those 12DW7's(?). I just didn't have any. I'll get those 12AT7's you sent a link for if you recommend them. Any recommendations for 5751's?

Those Mullards are good. 5751.... Lots of people rave about the GE blackplate 5751. Like all tubes, they may sound good in one amp and crappy in another

 

[Smash]

Man. I wouldn't worry about changing the resistor. If you don't have the bias range now, you could change out the resistor one time. Then you can piggy back it with another everytime you want to move back to el34s. The reason this is so simple is that you aren't having to heat the board any longer, and your chassis is headless, so this is all cake. If you have any questions, I am sure Shea would be happy to tell you exactly how to do it. Guy is really cool.

 

[bubbastain]

Man. I wouldn't worry about changing the resistor. If you don't have the bias range now, you could change out the resistor one time. Then you can piggy back it with another everytime you want to move back to el34s. The reason this is so simple is that you aren't having to heat the board any longer, and your chassis is headless, so this is all cake. If you have any questions, I am sure Shea would be happy to tell you exactly how to do it. Guy is really cool.

Yeah, if someone tells me which resistor to use and where it’s no problem. I did it years ago on my Splawn to be able to run KT88’s. I’m admittedly pretty lazy and just don’t know if the benefit if any at all, will be worth the effort and cost of a pair of tubes. We’ll see. I might change my mind down the road.

 

[Kordoba]

Can't say I like it more than your VTM or Hermansson, but it sounds really good and has some of my favorite tubes: JJ E34L, JJ 803s, and Chinese 12AX7b.

As far as the headshell, I've got both of my Crate Stealths out of their boxes and plan to keep them that way. With the headshell they won't fit into my wannabe flight cases. Might do the same with my 6505+ head.

 

[blackie13]

try 6550's in the Power amp section...

I am thinking of trying a pair of JJ 6CA7’s. Not sure if I can run 6550’s in the amp. I’ll need to check.

Chances are 6550’s won’t bias up without swapping out the bias resistor.

That's what I figured. I don't want to have to change any internals for 6550's especially since I really like the EL34L's. Still might try 6CA7's down the road to to satisfy my curiosity.

Sounds good. I like that you’re playing loud too. Let the amp breath a little more.

You can also try a 5751 in V1 as well.

If you’re totally happy with the 12AT7 you can find some killer NOS tubes for good prices. I’m talking Mullard 12AT7’s for like $25 a piece.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/253124353808

Funny you mentioned the volume and I agree. I actually normally play it with the volume knob a bit higher and didn't notice it was a bit lower than normal until well into the clip. It sounds good down near 9 o'clock, but it sounds better where I had it in the clip and it sounds even a little better up a little from there. Yeah, I am pretty happy with the 12AT7 but I do want to try a 5751 as well as one of those 12DW7's(?). I just didn't have any. I'll get those 12AT7's you sent a link for if you recommend them. Any recommendations for 5751's?

I used to have RFT EL34s in my 2204...
When i tried the JJ E34L I loved the clean headroom and thanks to psychodavee I gave 6550's a chance...
If you enjoy E34L's you will try the 6550 eventually...

 

[Racerxrated]

try 6550's in the Power amp section...

I am thinking of trying a pair of JJ 6CA7’s. Not sure if I can run 6550’s in the amp. I’ll need to check.

Chances are 6550’s won’t bias up without swapping out the bias resistor.

That's what I figured. I don't want to have to change any internals for 6550's especially since I really like the EL34L's. Still might try 6CA7's down the road to to satisfy my curiosity.

Sounds good. I like that you’re playing loud too. Let the amp breath a little more.

You can also try a 5751 in V1 as well.

If you’re totally happy with the 12AT7 you can find some killer NOS tubes for good prices. I’m talking Mullard 12AT7’s for like $25 a piece.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/253124353808

Funny you mentioned the volume and I agree. I actually normally play it with the volume knob a bit higher and didn't notice it was a bit lower than normal until well into the clip. It sounds good down near 9 o'clock, but it sounds better where I had it in the clip and it sounds even a little better up a little from there. Yeah, I am pretty happy with the 12AT7 but I do want to try a 5751 as well as one of those 12DW7's(?). I just didn't have any. I'll get those 12AT7's you sent a link for if you recommend them. Any recommendations for 5751's?

I used to have RFT EL34s in my 2204...
When i tried the JJ E34L I loved the clean headroom and thanks to psychodavee I gave 6550's a chance...
If you enjoy E34L's you will try the 6550 eventually...

JJ EL34L? In a stock Marshall, tub city. Ugh. I pull those immediately if that's what the amp has. But haven't tried them in a Mono. They do sound good in a Wizard though. 6550s can sound killer in a Marshall..I have 4 GE 6550 in my 2203. The GEs make the amp more '3D' if you will. I had Tung Sol 6550s in a Jubilee reissue, they sounded nice too. But the GEs are the real deal. Too bad they are so expensive now. My 2203 came with GEs and I also have a few laying around.