Convert Marshall DSL100 from EL34's to 6L6GC's

telefan100 · 2010-01-03T18:29:01+00:00

Does anyone know whether it's possible to convert a Marshall DSL100/JCM2000 to work with 6L6GC's instead of the EL34's that it comes standard with?

Convert Marshall DSL100 from EL34's to 6L6GC's

inflames

PS. welcome to the forum, since this is you first post :goodtimes:

FenderBender

Hi telefan, I would assume you're looking to change the tone of your amp and have more than likely done some research.
It is fairly easy to change from EL34s to 6L6s.

PS: Welcome to the forum ?

AlanRatcliffe

Easiest way to do it is to use THD Yellowjacket converters - plug 'em into the EL34 socket and plug in the EL84. Best of all is it's just as easy to reverse. http://www.thdelectronics.com/product_page_yellowjacket.html

telefan100

Thanks for the replies guys.

I love the sound of 6L6GC's in my Fender Hot Rod DeVille and it works beautifully in conjunction with my Digitech multi effects unit. When I plug my DeVille's speaker output directly into my 412 cab it still sounds awesome. I've tried it with other Fender amps and it sounds awesome, but not when I go through the Marshall head into the 412 cab. It sounds harsh & screechy.

Will changing to 6L6GC's give me more of that warm Fender tone or am I wasting my time?

Alan, those converter things look awesome. Does your amp still have the same power with them?

matta

It is alot easier going from EL34 to 6L6 than the other way around as the EL34 draws more than double the current on the heaters than a 6L6. If the amp is wired for EL34's you shouldn't have a problem fitting the 6L6's and rebiasing, though generally 6L6 amps need to be modded to accept EL34's.

That said ALL this is hypothetical as you need to look at schematic to see what is going.

Out of interest I assume based on your gear that you like the Fender sound, why then buy a Marshall? If you want that 6L6 Fender tone buy an old Black/Silverface.

You will NOT get the Marshall to sound like a Fender, you are wasting your time. I can answer the question about the Yellow Jackets, yes they will reduce your output wattage, but notice they are octal to 9 pin adapters for EL84's not EL34's.

Cheers

Matt

AlanRatcliffe

I somehow read EL84s when you wrote 6L6 - my bad. EL84s would lean the amp a bit more to the Vox side of things - a richer, more complex tone (nice with Teles, BTW) with earlier breakup and a lower power rating.

I think for the best answer Matta's your man, but I think that you'll need to do a lot more than change the power tubes to get a DSL to sound like your Fender amp - they are very different designs overall AFAIK.

Maybe you're just not a Marshall man (I know I never took to them). If it's the volume you're after, wouldn't it make more sense to get a bigger Fender amp to replace the Marshall?

[EDIT: Mattas here already... (Yay! ?)]

telefan100

Hi Matt,

I guess I'm looking for a 100Watt head for my 412 cab that sounds like my DeVille. I cannot find a suitable head here in SA that sounds clean and ballsy. I mean do I really have to pay like 25k for a Mesa Boogie or some boutique head?

This what started me thing about the possibility of changing the tubes to 6L6GC

matta

Well you could pay R40,000 - R50,000 if you want ? And there are even more expensive heads...

A Marshall will always sound like a Marshall, just short of rebuilding it from scratch and even then the transformers are wound differently, which all comes into play.

Do you REALLY need a 100W head? Are you playing to 30,000 people a night? Why on EARTH do you need that power if you are not? My Blackface Bandmaster (40W) through my 2 x12 Jensen cab rattles my windows in my house and can be heard down the road from about 4 on the dial... it goes to 10... Most of the 'Classic' high power Fenders were only 40-50W and that was/is sufficient for some of the biggest/best names in the game.

Even a Mesa will NOT sound like a Fender, I like the Lonestar, but it still isn't a replacement for the Blackface tone.

Obviously Fender did, at the later stage in their career MAKE 100W amps, but not mostly combos like the Silverface Twins, which are PLENTY clean/bright, but not available in a head/cab version, though the combos of that era can be had for under R10,000 2nd hand.

Cheers

Matt

telefan100 wrote: Hi Matt,

I guess I'm looking for a 100Watt head for my 412 cab that sounds like my DeVille. I cannot find a suitable head here in SA that sounds clean and ballsy. I mean do I really have to pay like 25k for a Mesa Boogie or some boutique head?

This what started me thing about the possibility of changing the tubes to 6L6GC

TomCat

How about the Fender Supersonic Head......That should give you the results you want. Not 100W but plenty of oomph....

I must say 100W of Tube power is a lot of power.

AlanRatcliffe

I've seen pictures of Twin Reverbs that have been converted to heads. As long as you use a 4 Ohm cab, you're fine.

telefan100

Good morning,

You're absolutely right Matta, I don't need 100Watt, so even a Marshall DSL100 is total overkill, YET, there are no good smaller valve heads to be had anywhere. If I could buy a Deville head loose I would have long ago. That's the problem - finding a nice clear bottom ended Fender style head to go with my 412 cab.

Alan mentioned the Fender Supersonic Head - any idea where I can try get one to test?

Or I suppose it's time to head over to eBay then, take a risk and pay through my teeth for shipping! ???

telefan100

Graeme Parfett wrote: Hi telefan, I would assume you're looking to change the tone of your amp and have more than likely done some research.
It is fairly easy to change from EL34s to 6L6s.

PS: Welcome to the forum ?

Hi Graeme,

Tell me more please - I have a set of 4 Sovtek 6L6GC's. Can I just slap them in?

matta

Man, search Gumtree and the Classifieds here, last year alone I personally bought a 70's Bassman and 60's Bandmaster head and 60's Vox AC30 Combo, and there was plenty oppurtunity to buy others, I just held off on the GAS... good things come to those who wait, both of the heads cost me under R5,000 each, vs a reissue, which is not nearly at the same caliber of the vintage amps will cost 4-10 times that.

Cheers

Matt

telefan100 wrote: Good morning,

You're absolutely right Matta, I don't need 100Watt, so even a Marshall DSL100 is total overkill, YET, there are no good smaller valve heads to be had anywhere. If I could buy a Deville head loose I would have long ago. That's the problem - finding a nice clear bottom ended Fender style head to go with my 412 cab.

Alan mentioned the Fender Supersonic Head - any idea where I can try get one to test?

Or I suppose it's time to head over to eBay then, take a risk and pay through my teeth for shipping! ???

FenderBender

telefan100 wrote: Tell me more please - I have a set of 4 Sovtek 6L6GC's. Can I just slap them in?

As Matt said, the valves can be substituted, but at a minimum a rebias would be necessary.

telefan100

Thanks for the great advice. I'll probably just look for the right head then! ?

TomCat

I know Music Connection in JHB has a few Supersonic Heads.....Don't know the Cape music stores well enough the make any suggestions.....

http://www.fender.com/products/search.php?partno=2160100000

telefan100

Hi TomCat,

This does look like a great amp, judging by the specs. and at 60WRMS with 2 6L6GCs it should be pretty load and good enough to drive a 412 cab.

Any idea what they go for new?

telefan100

Having said and listened to all of you - can I take a calculated risk and put the 6L6GCs in the Marshall just to hear what it sounds like?

Matt?

TomCat

Actually don't have a clue but they are more at the upper price range.

Maybe give Jacques a call at Music Connection and see what he can do for you.

I know they ship countrywide.

TomCat

A direct swap over the EL34 is the 6CA7. There are many forums on the internet that debate the EL34 / 6CA7 thing. Might be worth having a look as an option. Many say the 6CA7 is a smoother sounding tube.

My tube amp project uses a 6CA7 and the tone is very clean....very Fender like.....