Palmer PDREI Bedienungsanleitung Seite 11

3) TUBE CHARACTERISTICS
POWER TUBE CHARACTERISTICS EL84, 6V6, 6L6
There is some kind of agreement on tube „sounds" and the terms to de-
scribe them in literature, guitar magazines and on the web. However, the
tonal characteristics of power tubes can be described in general only
since they are affected by a number of variables such as preamp design
or the loudspeaker/s. Also, the "sound" of a tube type may vary from
brand to brand and production dates.
EL84
This tube was mainly used in the British amplifiers of the 50ies and
60ies, most notably the VOX AC30 and 18W Marshall combos. In recent
years it has become extremely popular again.
The EL84 is a small, low power output tube with a glassy brightness
and a strong upper midrange. When overdriven high order harmonics pre-
vail, and it produces fat aggressive distortion tones. At high overdrive
levels the growling midrange really comes to the fore while the low end
remains tight and focused.
6V6
The 6V6 was the first choice for American amps such as the Fender Champ
and Deluxe models. It has been popular ever since in low to medium pow-
ered amplifiers and a favorite for classic „blues" tones.
Similar in output to the EL84, the 6V6's tonal characteristics are quite
different, though. It has a thinner, „slender" sound with somewhat soft-
er highs and lows, yet it is bright and responsive with excellent dynam-
ics. Second and third order harmonics jump out when slightly overdriven
fattening up the overall tone and masking some of the brightness. When
pushed hard, the bottom end „flubs out" losing articulation and defini-
tion.
6L6
With the demand for higher powered amplifiers by the late 50ies the 6L6
soon found its way into the classic designs of the Fender Bassman and
Twin Amp. Often regarded as „big brother" to the 6V6 the medium out-
put 6L6's tone is usually described as round, warm and clear. The 6L6
is very efficient at low voltages and has a high peak current capacity.
The result is a big bottom end that remains tight even when the tube is
driven hard, a detailed midrange that is less prominent than that of the
6V6 (or the EL34 of Marshall fame, for that matter), and high frequency
chime and clarity. Due to its late compression the 6L6 remains dynamic
and touch sensitive. The 6L6 „family" includes the KT66 and 5881 tubes
which can be substituted to provide slightly different flavors.
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