Can You Do Both EL34 & 6L6 Together?

@MirrorProfiles are you referring to...

Extended Class A is a technique that uses a triode and a pentode (or beam power tetrode) on both sides of a push-pull output stage.​
I’ve seen a few amp tech’s mention that when Mesa has Class A labelled on the amps it’s more of a marketing thing and that it isn’t really running in Class A. Guessing it was on Psionic or Brad’s Gear Garage videos but I can’t remember where.

Theres some posts from TOP here too https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/mesa-boogie-simul-class-biasing.1150505/
 
The Mark VII is simul-class, but you can’t mix tube types. There’s a bias switch for either 6L6 or EL34.

As for the EL34 & 6L6 together - it really is awesome and should be available in more amps. To my understanding it’s available in the simulclass Mark II, III, & IV amps, the Road King I and II, and the 2:90 power amp. I do not know about the 50/50 power amp, but I doubt it.

I have a Mark III DRG that I run in 2x6L6 and 2xEL34 and it sounds awesome, and that’s my favorite setting for heavy rhythm guitar on the RK2 as well.
My Mark III is simul-class though I’m currently using 6L6 in all positions. I know there are also IIC+ amps that are simul, not sure if those were the first. The III and IV definitely had versions that were.

I like to tell myself it adds some sweetness to the amp, but who the hell knows. Could be magic beans for all I know.
 
And of course the big boy STEREO SIMUL-CLASS 2:NINETY™ has it in its name.
:headbang
The VII has an alternate name on the back of the chassis as well, the Simul-Seven.

20240403_124802.jpg
 
My Dual Rectifier had a pair of 6V6s and a pair of KT77s. It sounded much better when I replaced them with 4 6L6s.

I’m not sure what this was supposed to accomplish but it wasn’t very good:
 
Can you add some detail to this? I'd like to learn more.
I believe that the full wattage setting is one pair of power tubes in class A with the other in class A/B.

The middle wattage setting is only one pair in class A pentode and the low wattage setting is only one pair in class A triode.
 
Back
Top