J J Tubes 6386

[Steffmo]

Anyone had a chance to sample any of thse. If nothing else it seems like a viable spare, maybe better.

[twotracker]

I can't find an old one so... I guess I'll be getting one to try in the Retro Sta-Level

JJ makes tubes I like although this one may be pricey

If they're good maybe Manley will need to make another conversion kit for the Vari-Mu

[emrr]

6386 tube

[jjblair]

I've seen the new ones. The construction is different from the originals. typically,this er results in a different sound. I'm curious, though.

[wildpark]

jj got a too hyped sound .

take original nos tubes which are still avalible from special dealers

[skygod]

Posted this under ADL 670 thread as well the other day -

Came across this by accident looking for 6386s to retube a fairchild nowhere to be found under $95 a pop. This cat is using 6386r mliitary grade tubes in a special adapter where two 6386rs are substituted for the flimsy originals. Lower current on grids, longer life, same cream and headroom and sonic characteristics. No mods required to the circuit design. Plugin and play.

I think this is gonna solve a lot of folks' problems. Download and watch the 40MB vid and become as happy as I am now . It is not the greatest vid you will watch, but he gets the job done playing back already mastered songs thru his own designed 2 bus com/limiter, and he runs thru the song set with original 6386s in several comp modes, then he does the same with the 6386rs subsituted in the circuit. The only negligible diff was that the analog meter on the comp face seemed to be more steady with the originals, with a wider swing on the r's, however the sonic characteristics remianed amazingly the same. He claims that the adapter is $49 and the pair of r's are $25 and are in great supply forward.

6386 Variable Mu Compressor Tube Replacement NOS WORKS! - eBay (item 290291656228 end time Feb-23-09 18:11:11 PST)

And just in case this auction is over by the time anybody reads this post, this is the seller: 700wlw Find him! It will be well worth your trouble --

Cheers

~skygod~
__________________

[twotracker]

Looks like the JJ's are available now - but very pricey

$120 at

Antique Electronic Supply

[twotracker]

Put one in my Retro Sta-Level - didn't hear a huge difference, definately didn't hurt the sound.

I'd rewire my Vari-Mu for them if Manely would send the directions

[danielperez808]

I ended up getting some military tubes, and I thought they sounded better than what I had in there before. I saw this on ebay a few days ago.
This dude even has a best offer. Ask him how much he'll sell them to you for or make him an offer.

Matched Pair GE 5 Five-Star 6386 NOS Variable-Mu Tube - eBay (item 250371032791 end time Feb-19-09 09:28:20 PST)

[twotracker]

I'm done with ebay.

The JJ's are pricey.


They come in fancy box with its individual specs and a 6 month warranty

[Slikjmuzik]

JJ tubes are awesome, inexpensive but sound expensive, I replace anything with Electro Harmonix, Groove Tubes and definitely anything chinese with these....for guitars, I like using mesa boogie tubes...I have a 5-watt valve jr which uses 1 12ax7 and 1 el84 and I put mesa tubes in it. It now rocks!! Not quite an Orange Tiny Terror, but still darn good.

[JMc]

FYI, for Sta-Level owners who are interested, I've inserted a 6BC8/6BZ8 tube in the 6386 socket via the socket adapter that Phil Moore has and pulled the twin 5749's inside. The sound (to my ears, at least) is fantastic. It is thicker, warmer and smoother. After trying this mod, I haven't looked back. A 6Es8 will also work in this slot, but sounds more like the original twin 5749's in terms of compression.

[4blades]

I would add the 6ba6 to the list.