Use THIS Approach to Start Making Tube Amps from Old Radios

Follow my journey of tube amp conversions from various platforms. Sharing my thoughts on getting started and finding the right starting point to get unique tube amp sounds in your studio for as little money as possible.
BIBLE VERSE:
Ephesians 4:22 - You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
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Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:36 - The Setup
1:38 - Level 1
3:40 - Level 2
7:37 - Level 3

[@BrianOboylemusic]

I thought my brain came up with this.. love it bro !!

[@gracenoterecordings]

Thank you!

[@GarlandKelley]

What tube configuration are you generally looking for? I know you mentioned avoiding 1, 35, and 50 series tubes but I noticed most things using 12s in the preamp are utilizing some 35 in the power section. Then most radios using a 6V6 or 6L6 are using 8 pin octal 6 series tubes in the preamp. Noob alert.

[@gracenoterecordings]

That’s a good question…obviously, ideally it would have all the tubes you’d need for a guitar amp already in the radio. But if it doesn’t, like you mentioned either having a 12 series tube in the preamp or a 6 series tube in the power amp (but not both), it doesn’t really make that much of a difference. At that point, you know you’ll have to make some modification, but depending on what you plan on building, one configuration may save you some time and money.
I would definitely choose to avoid any radio that doesn’t have a transformer even if it has a 12 series pre amp tube. I think you’d be better off working from a radio with a transformer and a 6 series power tube.
Even with an 8-pin preamp tube, you can still make some great amps with keeping a 6 series preamp tube in there! Similar to what I did with my Princeton 5C2. But if you wanted a 12 series tube, the modifications aren’t too too crazy…
Hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

[@rayfunk5659]

For what it's worth, those "series numbers" are the filament operating voltage. Thus, a 50C5 has a 50V filament and a 35W4 has a 35V filament. I would agree that using a power transformer is the preferable route, but you can make a serviceable amp with these tubes. Look for a Garnet 5P as a reference.

[@gracenoterecordings]

@@rayfunk5659💯

[@janzelf]

This is the most confusing "How to" I have ever seen.
Just show us how to do it, already...

[@gracenoterecordings]

Thanks for the feedback. I realize it shouldn’t be a ‘how to’ video, I adjusted the title accordingly.

[@bradleyroller8492]

I disagree. Very helpful video. Thank you!

[@gracenoterecordings]

Thank you

[@janzelf]

@@bradleyroller8492 please explain me, what the "how to"-part was?

[@bradleyroller8492]

@@janzelf literally the entire video. If you can’t take the info an make your own decisions based on your needs, that’s your problem.