TalismanRich Posted June 3, 2011 Posted June 3, 2011 Back in February, I asked about two amps, the Allen Accomplice Jr, and the Patriot. After going up and playing the Allen, I came so close to buying it, but kept putting it off until I could hear the Patriot. Plus, something about the Allen just didn't put me over the top (Sorry Randy). The Patriot was at GC in Greenwood In. It took almost 4 months before I made another trip north, but it happened this week. So on the way home tonight, I stopped at the GC to give a look and a quick listen. Even with the metalhead cranking on an Ibanez, and the rest of the noise, I could tell this thing sounded pretty good. There's some tube rattle, I knocked on the 6L6s, and they both went "ZING". But, the price had been dropped down $100 to $849, and there's a 30 day satisfaction guarantee. If I don't like it, the guy said I can return it to the Louisville GC, so I pulled out the plastic and loaded up the car. Well, I got home, and the tube rattle is pretty bad. But even with that I can tell this thing is SPECIAL. The sound is so balanced, none of the peakiness of my EL84 amps. It has the push-pull bright switch on the volume, the reverb covers everything up to a cavern! Its loud, I'll be using the Tube Screamer for the heavy crunch at low volumes but clean it's just WONDERFUL! I think this thing is a keeper! So now its time to order some new tubes (currently has GTs). Also, if anyone has a copy of the manual for the Patriot, I would appreciate a copy (PDF or JPG.) Mostly I'll need to know what the bias recommendations are. Even though its a beast at 60lbs, I plan on bringing it to PSP. Here's the new addition.
kbp810 Posted June 3, 2011 Posted June 3, 2011 Congratulations on a great amp grab!! That pair looks like they were made for each other
FredZepp Posted June 3, 2011 Posted June 3, 2011 Great combination there. That is a fantastic Patriot... and the Millie with the hollow traps is always an eye catcher. I have no doubt that that is a tone-full combination. Congrats on the sweet amp.
Genericmusic Posted June 3, 2011 Posted June 3, 2011 Congratulations! I was looking at one myself recently. I passed on it though.
kbp810 Posted June 3, 2011 Posted June 3, 2011 For your bias question - I don't know what the plate voltages are in these (perhaps someone more familiar with the Patriot can chime in?)... but for 6L6GC's, around 35ma should be a good and relatively safe starting point. If your using el34's, then perhaps closer to 30ma.
Steiner Posted June 3, 2011 Posted June 3, 2011 Go NAD, GONADS!!! Nice score TR! Any Heritage amp under $1K is a steal. Enjoy.
TalismanRich Posted June 3, 2011 Author Posted June 3, 2011 Congratulations! I was looking at one myself recently. I passed on it though. I was reading your thread earlier this week and fully expected to stop in only to have the guy say "sold it yesterday". I saw one listed at Imagine Guitars in Clearwater for $1800. Heritage525 was selling his a while back, but I think he came to his senses and pulled it. This thing would be great for jazz. If you make it to PSP, feel free to come up and try it out.
TalismanRich Posted June 3, 2011 Author Posted June 3, 2011 For your bias question - I don't know what the plate voltages are in these (perhaps someone more familiar with the Patriot can chime in?)... but for 6L6GC's, around 35ma should be a good and relatively safe starting point. If your using el34's, then perhaps closer to 30ma. Thanks. I did some searching and found this from the Kenny Burrell Heritage. It looks like 30 will be a good starting point. 4. For amps using 6L6 power tubes, adjust the bias pot to give a reading between 25 to 35 mv for each tube. For amps using 6V6’s adjust the bias between 18-27mv. For amps using EL34’s adjust the bias between 30-40mv. Lower settings will sound cleaner with longer tube life. Higher settings will have an earlier break-up and shorter tube life. A properly matched set of tubes will generally be less than 5mv off from each other. Now I have to decide which tube to go with. I HATE microphonics and that is leaning me towards either JJ or Sovtex 6L6WXT+. I've heard that both are pretty rugged. Any recommendations (not looking for NOS).
schundog Posted June 3, 2011 Posted June 3, 2011 Congrats on the new amp; so now I can just "have" the Marshall you let me play through last year at PSP, right?!
111518 Posted June 3, 2011 Posted June 3, 2011 Now I have to decide which tube to go with. I HATE microphonics and that is leaning me towards either JJ or Sovtex 6L6WXT+. I've heard that both are pretty rugged. Any recommendations (not looking for NOS). Congrats. I've never had a chance to play a Heritage amp, but it most certainly looks cool. I've been reacquainting myself with 6l6 options, cause I need to pick up a couple. I find the information on "The Tube Store" site useful --they have a number of different reviewers, and, although it is a store and therefore not an unbiased source (couldn't resist that pun), useful information. Here's one reviewers take on recent 6L6's --there are other sets of reviews on the site: http://thetubestore.com/6l6templeton.html
fxdx99 Posted June 3, 2011 Posted June 3, 2011 Congrats!! Even tho you made the wrong choice... LOL - naw, I'm sure that'a a great amp, they get good press everytime I read on one. Looking forward to hearing it at PSP. Enjoy!
kbp810 Posted June 3, 2011 Posted June 3, 2011 Thanks. I did some searching and found this from the Kenny Burrell Heritage. It looks like 30 will be a good starting point. 4. For amps using 6L6 power tubes, adjust the bias pot to give a reading between 25 to 35 mv for each tube. For amps using 6V6’s adjust the bias between 18-27mv. For amps using EL34’s adjust the bias between 30-40mv. Lower settings will sound cleaner with longer tube life. Higher settings will have an earlier break-up and shorter tube life. A properly matched set of tubes will generally be less than 5mv off from each other. Now I have to decide which tube to go with. I HATE microphonics and that is leaning me towards either JJ or Sovtex 6L6WXT+. I've heard that both are pretty rugged. Any recommendations (not looking for NOS). You are more likely to run into microphonics issues with the preamp tubes more so then the power tubes (though I have had power tubes that gave off a sort of mechanical sounding rattle before) Of course this is all highly subjective... but my preference for new production 6L6's has been the JJ 6L6GC or SED "Winged C" 6L6GC - though the tube stores description of the Sovtek WXT+ does make it sound rather attractive as well!
Kuz Posted June 3, 2011 Posted June 3, 2011 You are more likely to run into microphonics issues with the preamp tubes more so then the power tubes (though I have had power tubes that gave off a sort of mechanical sounding rattle before) Of course this is all highly subjective... but my preference for new production 6L6's has been the JJ 6L6GC or SED "Winged C" 6L6GC - though the tube stores description of the Sovtek WXT+ does make it sound rather attractive as well! Either the above, TAD, or Tungsol 6L6 (I have used all 3 of them). I personally hate JJ tubes, they seem lifeless and sterile to me (both their power tubes & preamp tubes).
kbp810 Posted June 3, 2011 Posted June 3, 2011 Either the above, TAD, or Tungsol 6L6 (I have used all 3 of them). I personally hate JJ tubes, they seem lifeless and sterile to me (both their power tubes & preamp tubes). Don't care for JJ preamps either... but never experienced sterileness or lifelessness with their power tubes. Huge fan of the Tung Sol 6V6's, don't think I've ever tried their modern 6L6 though.... I'm sure they are great as well.
mars_hall Posted June 3, 2011 Posted June 3, 2011 Pretty sure this is the same amp I had seen in there several times in the past. They also had a Fandango in there calling me the last time I was visited, so that got my attention. I always wanted to fire the Patriot up to see what it had, but with a little one in tow and mama away, that could have gotten a bit tricky. He'd want to play it too.
TalismanRich Posted June 4, 2011 Author Posted June 4, 2011 Don't care for JJ preamps either... but never experienced sterileness or lifelessness with their power tubes. Huge fan of the Tung Sol 6V6's, don't think I've ever tried their modern 6L6 though.... I'm sure they are great as well. If I can get the time tomorrow, I'll run by the local GC and get a couple of Tungsol 6L6 STRs. With their 10% bag promotion tomorrow, it would run about $35 for a matched pair. I'll go with a mid level. Checking out the current tubes, there are 2 JAN-Phillips 12AX7s, an EH 12AT7 for the reverb, and 2 JJ 12AX7s. JJ GZ34, and the power tubes were Groove Tubes 6L6CHPs rated at 7. One in particular rings like a spring when you tap it, even outside the amp. I'm guessing that's the offender. The preamp tubes seemed to be solid. Once the tubes are redone, I guess the next thing would be to get a D2F cover for it. Don't want to rip that nice red covering.
Trouble Posted June 8, 2011 Posted June 8, 2011 Looks like a great buy, congrats and have fun with it!
smurph1 Posted June 9, 2011 Posted June 9, 2011 Back in February, I asked about two amps, the Allen Accomplice Jr, and the Patriot. After going up and playing the Allen, I came so close to buying it, but kept putting it off until I could hear the Patriot. Plus, something about the Allen just didn't put me over the top (Sorry Randy). The Patriot was at GC in Greenwood In. It took almost 4 months before I made another trip north, but it happened this week. So on the way home tonight, I stopped at the GC to give a look and a quick listen. Even with the metalhead cranking on an Ibanez, and the rest of the noise, I could tell this thing sounded pretty good. There's some tube rattle, I knocked on the 6L6s, and they both went "ZING". But, the price had been dropped down $100 to $849, and there's a 30 day satisfaction guarantee. If I don't like it, the guy said I can return it to the Louisville GC, so I pulled out the plastic and loaded up the car. Well, I got home, and the tube rattle is pretty bad. But even with that I can tell this thing is SPECIAL. The sound is so balanced, none of the peakiness of my EL84 amps. It has the push-pull bright switch on the volume, the reverb covers everything up to a cavern! Its loud, I'll be using the Tube Screamer for the heavy crunch at low volumes but clean it's just WONDERFUL! I think this thing is a keeper! So now its time to order some new tubes (currently has GTs). Also, if anyone has a copy of the manual for the Patriot, I would appreciate a copy (PDF or JPG.) Mostly I'll need to know what the bias recommendations are. Even though its a beast at 60lbs, I plan on bringing it to PSP. Here's the new addition. NICE!! IT looks almost new!! Congrats!!
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