Hey-hey!!!,
There are other inexpensive front end pentodes to use. 6AQ5 is one suspect. Put g2 at 100V for a 10k load and 300V B+. 6CL6 would want a little bit less( if the curves are to be trusted ), say ~80V.THe 6AQ5 would cut gain by half due to lower gm, and 6CL6 by maybe a fifth. EF184 data I have found does not show anode current at g1=0 and varying g2, but it would offer slightly higher gain than the 12BY7.
Guidelines only, play and see how they sound.
cheers,
Douglas