Zacc

Does anyone know if I can replace the EL34 Power tubes with 6L6's on this head without any issue's to the electronics board? I know that I will have to re-adjust the Bias. Thank You.

Marshall Amps

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Procter2812

It is possible to interchange the two tube types.... if you can get the bias in range. If not you will have to change the bias resistor.

Zacc

Would it be better to go with JJ KT77's?

00jett

I tried kt-77's in my dsl 50. The are a great sound but i missed that el34 midrange. i wound up settling on e34l tubes, but still put in the kt77 once and a while for something different. the amp is easy to bias so it makes changing tubes more practical.

Procter2812

i would go with jj E34l's.. i have them in my TSL100... because the amp is a little thin.. they add bass and give the amp a tight feel!

Zacc

I'm going for the EVH "BROWN SOUND" I know that the EVH III head has 6L6's in it.
I was told that the JJ KT77's are a close match.The 6L6's might run a little too hot for this amp.

Thanks everyone for your input.

steelhorse

You won't have to change the resistor if you go with either the KT77 or E-34L's. They're in the EL-34 family.

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donkost

I had also looked at the EVH/Fender 5150 III prior to purchasing my new DSL100 last April. For the price vs. performance the Marshall can't be beat IMO, and I didn't feel like lining Ed's pockets any more than I have already (fan of his playing since the late 70's). I like playing early VH from time to time but I'm not all that concerned about getting the brown sound. Heck, the man himself is no longer able to get that sound which made him famous back in the day. I think a good part of it was also studio production, certain mics with a particular tube mic preamp, and so on.

If you could line up your Variac, late 60's 100W Plexi with all controls dimed (also with bias cranked way up) into a load box, then into a few 100W Marshalls used as power amps, then into cabs loaded with Greenbacks, you might get close to the brown sound. Of course be ready to be blowing tubes and output transformers left and right along the way.

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2009 Marshall JCM2000 DSL100 w/MC412A cab
1988 Mesa/Boogie Mark III 60W combo w/EV12L
1988 Gibson Les Paul Custom
1998 Peavey Wolfgang Special
2008 Gretsch G5120
2008 Ibanez RG2550Z
2009 Epiphone Zakk Wylde L.P. (bullseye)
Pedaltrain PT-Pro w/numerous stomp boxes

PaoloJM

Don't forget that the "brown sound" was produced by a stock '68 Plexi cranked flat out. These amps had/have EL34s.
The Peavey 5150 and EVH models are produced in America which is why they have 6L6s, not for the tone.
I can say from personal experience tht the 5150 doesn't sound remotley like the early Van Halen albums, where the "brown sound" became famous. They've become very popular in the metal community though, and rightly so 'cos they sound

I'd agree with the lads, stick with the EL34 family. The KT77, EL34L or EL34B will give more defined lows that the standard EL34, if that's what you're after.

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jcmjmp

The DSL can get an approximation of the early VH stuff but I'd stick with EL-34s to get that mid range crunch.

Zacc

Thanks for the input guys.
I'll probably go with the kt77's. Anybody have any suggestions on what brand?
I'm leaning towards the JJ's or the Gold Lions.

donkost

Why not check out Eurotubes, click shop online, and "full retube kits for Marshall". They have a standard DSL100 JJ KT77 kit for $113 and a high gain JJ KT77 kit for $126. The kits also include the preamp tubes. I have no affiliation with this site, but sometimes I hang out at the Mesa Boogie forum and some guys were raving about the JJ high gain full retube kits on a Mark series amp.

__________________
2009 Marshall JCM2000 DSL100 w/MC412A cab
1988 Mesa/Boogie Mark III 60W combo w/EV12L
1988 Gibson Les Paul Custom
1998 Peavey Wolfgang Special
2008 Gretsch G5120
2008 Ibanez RG2550Z
2009 Epiphone Zakk Wylde L.P. (bullseye)
Pedaltrain PT-Pro w/numerous stomp boxes

Zacc

Thanks Donkost! I just ordered a quad set of matched JJ E34L's from them. Only $54.00 for all four!

Allterr

Dont forget that EVH also modded the hell out of his guitars in the early days as well.....

Zacc

Matter of fact I'm building a Frankenstrat. Version #1
EVH Signature Humbucker from evhgear.com
1- 500k switchcraft volume pot
1- 1/4 inch switchcraft output jack
mounted in a strat ash body

That's it. Thats all he used. He forgot how to wire up the neck pick up and the 3-way selector so he said F@#$ it!
If I could find an original 1961 gibson 335 PAF humbucker I'd be in really good shape.

donkost

You've got the right ingredients there, but don't forget to set the action a mile high, make sure the intonation is all screwed up, and tune the guitar to itself rather than a tuner. That's more or less how he kept his guitars back in the day. Photo shoot- no problem, just toss the guitar with no case into the back of your pickup! (another thing he would do) His pick attack and phrasing are so unique that he is extremely difficult to copy. You also need the MXR Phase 90 (preferably 9V battery 1970's script logo model) with the knob set below 9 o'clock for that slow, swooshy sound on solos. The new striped one sounds pretty good but it is not as subtle as the 70's model.

__________________
2009 Marshall JCM2000 DSL100 w/MC412A cab
1988 Mesa/Boogie Mark III 60W combo w/EV12L
1988 Gibson Les Paul Custom
1998 Peavey Wolfgang Special
2008 Gretsch G5120
2008 Ibanez RG2550Z
2009 Epiphone Zakk Wylde L.P. (bullseye)
Pedaltrain PT-Pro w/numerous stomp boxes

Zacc

I have the EVH Flanger, A Brian Whampler Pinnacle 2 (which they say is the closest Pedal to the "Brown Sound" and a Brian Whampler Analog Echo Delay. (like an ECHO PLEX)
Plus various other pedals. I also use an EQ.
I agree with the tunning. You just cant tune your guitar to an E or Drop D to play Eddie, Its all in the ear.