Anyone using yellow jacket tube sockets with a Rectifier?

[beachjammer]

I've saw the yellow jackets as well as a Groove Tube version that lets you plug EL84's in your 6L6 sockets which reduces the power dramatically. Has anyone here used these with their Mesa's? Will they hurt your amp? I'm thinking about getting some for my 50 watt Rectoverb combo. Any info would be appreciated.

 

[MetalMatt]

I haven't used them, BUT fellow members Platypus and mloiaco have used them. From what I read they got great results, and without damage to their amps. I would like to try a pair in my Road King sometime.

Platypus
http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?t=2301&highlight=yellow+jackets

mloiaco
http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?t=7555&highlight=yellow+jackets

 

[Platypus]

Blast from the past!

Thanks MM

Yeah I have used them with pretty good results, I can answer any questions you have. They are perfectly safe for your amp and I ran that combination for about 5-6 months if I recall with no issues.

 

[beachjammer]

COOL! Do you recommend the THD Yellow Jackets or the Groove Tube counter part? Also, which bias would I run my amp on while using the EL-84's? I'm stoked about this! This may solve all my volume issues I've been having at home!

 

[Platypus]

COOL! Do you recommend the THD Yellow Jackets or the Groove Tube counter part? Also, which bias would I run my amp on while using the EL-84's? I'm stoked about this! This may solve all my volume issues I've been having at home!

I have no experience with the GT counterpart.

As far as the bias, I would keep it in 6L6, they are meant to run in either but since you are replacing both of your power tubes I would just keep it at 6L6. I ran mine in EL34 because my other two tubes were EL34s in my Dual. This isn't a silver bullet by any means but I did get better power tube saturation and breakup and lower volumes with this arrangement.. it's NOT staggeringly different though. The Duals sound pretty awesome with EL84s surprisingly, the cleans were drastically improved.

 

[beachjammer]

Well I'm gonna go for it and see how I like it. I'll let you know what I think and thanks for the advice!

take care

 

[Platypus]

you're welcome, good luck with it

 

[beachjammer]

Here's a link to the Groove Tube counter part I was talking about:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330155984018&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:us

 

[beachjammer]

I've got a set on the way! I'll let you know when they get here and what I think.

 

[Platypus]

cool sounds good

 

[beachjammer]

Got the yellow jackets and tubes in today.... Unfortunately I don't like the tone at all and really couldn't tell a big difference volume wise. It didn't seem to affect the volume at all in the modern setting but I did notice a difference in the vintage and raw settings. The clean channel brightened up some but overall they are a disappointment. I'll probably just resale them. Oh well, you don't know until you try.

 

[Platypus]

you should try them with EL34s, I really dug the tone... but yeah as I said it's not that different volume wise.

 

[beachjammer]

I've only got a single rectifier 50 watt combo so I can only use one or the other. Would it make a difference if I put my bias on EL34 instead of 6L6?

 

[alex1fly]

I've been planning on trying some el-34s in my roadster you guys are making these yellowjackets sound pretty sweet; especially considering how it knocks the wattage down. I don't use the modern mode that much.