🚀 go-pugleaf

I pulled out the schematics section of my Groove Tubes book, and was looking
through some classics the other night in light of our discussion of maximum
tube voltages.  I found some interesting things, which generated some questions.

1) What exactly is the relation between plate voltage and the level where output
   distortion begins. As far as I understand it now, the higher the plate 
   voltage, the higher output level before distortion sets in. Is this the
   relationship? Is it more complex than this? (of course it is)

2) With the Deluxes, plate volage ran from 350V to 410V from early years to
   later years for 6V6's.  With various other Fenders using 6L6's, plate voltage
   ran up to 470V on later years, but some early models were under 410V.
   Does this mean that as long as my amp with 6L6's has a plate voltage of 410V
   or less that I could use 6L6's? If it could work, would it be effectively
   lower my power output but mean that my power section might not be able to
   distort?

3) About measuring plate voltage, it occured to me that if the impedance of 
   my voltmeter is not high enough I could fry my voltmeter and quite possibly
   more (me for instance.)  Is this a real concern, or do Multimeters generally
   have a high enough impedance that I don't need to worry.

4) If I want to leave my 6L6's, but drop their plate voltage (This depends on
   the answer to the first question), without changing my transformer, can this
   be done.  (Since my carvin uses some FET EQ circuits and reverb buffering,
   I can't just sub a lower power transformer.)

npstewar@eos.ncsu.edu
Nathan Stewart