Blackstar Series One 104 6L6 Retube Kits
Price range: $214.00 through $306.00
Full Retube Kits for the Blackstar Series One 104 6L6 Amps
The Blackstar Series One 104 6L6. The kits we offer here are the most distinctive in tonal character, forged from many years of research. Every kit is configured to provide a specific sound/experience.
These amps are adjustable bias. If you don’t know the bias procedure you can contact us by email for assistance.
The default power tubes for all of our Blackstar Series One 104 6L6 kits are the JJ 6L6GC’s. These tubes follow the classic 6L6GC sonic archetype with big lows, smooth mids and crystalline highs. What sets them apart is their low end clarity, mid-range detail and very clear highs without being overbearing or harsh. However you can use the drop down to select the JJ 5881’s. The JJ 5881’s are a Classic 23 watt 5881 in a traditional stubby bottle. “Jangle” for days and a very warm full tone. Right in-between the JJ 6L6GC and the JJ 6V6S in power. If you’re looking for that early-breakup these are it
Note about the preamp tube positions: Blackstar uses a random positioning much like Peavey did with the 5150 amps. From the in jack going towards the output transformer the valves are numbered “V3 V4 V5 V1 V2”. To avoid mistakes and confusion we have chosen to use the standard positioning that 99.5% of amps use. we will call V1 as closest to the input jack, V1 is the clean channel, V2 is for the crunch channels, V3 is for added gain super crunch, V4 is the ECC82 tube and is the buffer for the phase inverter, and V5 farthest from the input jack is the phase inverter.
The Standard Retube Kit is as close to OEM as possible. Maintaining the amps stock level of headroom and gain while providing a warm but even handed overall sound. The kit includes one matched quad of JJ 6L6GC’s by default, one Balanced JJ ECC83S for the phase inverter (V5, farthest from the input jack), one Balanced JJ ECC82 for the PI buffer in V4 and three Standard JJ ECC83S’s for V1 – V2 – V3.
The Gold Pin Retube Kit uses the JJ ECC83S Gold Pin variants to provide a smoother, creamier, and more singing overall sound. This option is less aggressive and has less “teeth” when driven hard. If you like a classic raunchy gritty overdriven tone, we recommend looking to the Standard or High Gain option. If sweet, open, and more refined is what you’re after this kit will do it. The kit includes one matched quad of JJ 6L6GC’s by default, one Balanced Gold Pin JJ ECC83S for the phase inverter (V5, farthest from the input jack), one Balanced Gold Pin JJ ECC82 for the PI buffer in 43 and three Standard Gold Pin JJ ECC83S’s for V1 – V2 – V3.
The High Gain Retube Kit uses our hand picked high gain selected JJ ECC83S’s. If you’re looking for maximum crunch and grind this is where you want to be. Sonically this setup is very similar to our Standard Retube Kit but with a little extra gain on tap. The kit includes one matched quad of JJ 6L6GC’s by default, one Balanced High Gain JJ ECC83S for the phase inverter (V5, farthest from the input jack), one Balanced JJ ECC82 for the PI buffer in V4 and three Standard Handpicked High Gain JJ ECC83S’s for V1 – V2 – V3.
The SRV Retube Kit uses the JJ 5751 in the V1 position. The JJ 5751 is a purpose built low gain 12AX7/ECC83 substitute. Stevie famously used these to eek out a little extra clean headroom, and you can too. Expect about a 25% reduction in gain, which is like having an extra click on the dial before breakup sets in. Great for clean players and pedal users. The kit includes one matched quad of JJ 6L6GC’s by default, one Balanced JJ ECC83S for the phase inverter (V5, farthest from the input jack), one Balanced JJ ECC82 for the PI buffer in V4, two Standard JJ ECC83S’s for V2 – V3 and one Standard JJ 5751 for V1 (closest to input jack).
The Gold Pin SRV Retube Kit uses the Gold Pin tubes for a smoother richer tone. The kit includes one matched quad of JJ 6L6GC’s by default, one Balanced Gold Pin JJ ECC83S for the phase inverter (V5, farthest from the input jack), one Balanced Gold Pin JJ ECC82 for the PI buffer in V4, two Standard Gold Pin JJ ECC83S’s for V2 – V3 and one Standard Gold Pin JJ 5751 for V1 (closest to input jack).
The ECC803S V1 Option Retube Kit uses the Long Plate JJ ECC803S in the V1 position. The JJ Long Plate ECC803S has a little lower gain with big thick mids and a little more sparkle in the highs. The kit includes one matched quad of JJ 6L6GC’s by default, one Balanced JJ ECC83S for the phase inverter (V5, farthest from the input jack), one Balanced JJ ECC82 for the PI buffer in V4, two Standard JJ ECC83S’s for V2 – V3 and one Standard JJ ECC803S for V1 (closest to input jack).
The Gold Pin ECC803S V1 Option Retube Kit uses the Long Plate Gold Pin JJ ECC803S in the V1 position. The JJ Long Plate ECC803S has a little lower gain with big thick mids and a little more sparkle in the highs. The kit includes one matched quad of JJ 6L6GC’s by default, one Balanced Gold Pin JJ ECC83S for the phase inverter (V5, farthest from the input jack), one Balanced Gold Pin JJ ECC82 for the PI buffer in V4, two Standard Gold Pin JJ ECC83S’s for V2 – V3 and one Standard Gold Pin JJ ECC803S for V1 (closest to input jack).