One of the things our customers love to do is customize the sound of their Bottlehead Crack with new tubes. Audio enthusiasts call this tube rolling. We ship every kit with one 6080 and one 12AU7 (or equivalent tubes), but we encourage experimentation.
Over the years our Bottlehead Forum members have identified which tubes can be swapped in. Some of these tubes can be dropped in with no modifications while others require some work. Still others seem like they could be compatible with the Crack but aren't. Here's the list forum member Dr. Toobz has compiled:
Drop-in Equivalents
Tubes that work without modification to your Bottlehead Crack.
Input Tubes (Originally a 12AU7)
- 12AU7(A)(WA)
- ECC186
- ECC82
- ECC802(S)
- E8025
- E82CC
- CV4003
- CV4122
- CV491
- 5814(A)
- 6189(W)(WA)
- 6680 (WL6680)
- 6067
- 7489
- 7316
- 5963 (computer version of 12AU7)
Power/Output (Originally a 6080)
- 6AS7G
- 6H13C
- 5998
- 7236
- 6N13
Important note: the 6SN7 tube will not work in the Bottlehead Crack without an adapter. Sellers such as Garage1217 make adapters that will make a 6SN7 usable in the Crack. Bottlehead is not affiliated with Garage1217 and cannot guarantee their products, but forum members have had success with them in the past.
Pick up your own Bottlehead Crack, build it the way you want it, and roll in the tubes that create your specific sound.
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2 comments
Tube rolling is a rabbit hole that makes a “Hookah Smoking Caterpillars” normal. You will drink the kool-aid but until it gets in your circuit you will never hear if it makes an improvement. Does that 1944 valve designed for Navy radar sound better than a RCA clear top. A tall coke bottle valve looks cool. Do you think the particles from the glue from 1959 makes any difference in the sound. Tube testing just tells you if it has issues. I roll tubes and find it lots of fun. Tag and good luck to ya!
Thanks for the info about what tubes can fit the Crack(not sure if that sounds appropriate), but is there any suggestions/info about the sound characteristics of the different types of tubes.
I am a neophyte on tubes so shy about buying different types of tubes and not knowing the potential impact to sound.