New Issue 6L6

[big_teee]

What do you think the best New Issue 6l6 tube is for under $50 a Matched Pair.
Terry

[jrfrond]

For me, it's the TungSol 6L6STR. They sound great, the reliability seems pretty good and are readily-available. I think that New Sensor/Reflektor did a pretty good job with resissuing these.

[big_teee]

For me, it's the TungSol 6L6STR. They sound great, the reliability seems pretty good and are readily-available. I think that New Sensor/Reflektor did a pretty good job with resissuing these.

Are these pretty rich in Tone and Harmonics.
Have you tried the EH 6l6EH?
They are supposed to built on the RCA Black Plate.
I just love the Tungsol 12AX7s.
So if the Tungsol 6L6s are as good as the 12AX7s, I will probably buy some.
Thanks,
Terry

[jrfrond]

We use a lot of the 6L6EH's here as replacements. They do sound pretty good, but they aren't RCA BP's by any strectch of the imagination, and the plate structure doesn't look like them either.

The TungSol 6L6's are excellent. A bit edgy at first, but tend to smooth out a bit as they break-in. In this case, they DID reproduce the plate structure and bottle size of the original TungSol's.

If you are looking for the real deal, KCA NOS Tubes stocks Philips JAN-6L6WGB at $46.00 each, $92.00 for a matched pair. They have a really smooth tone and break-up fairly easily. I know this is twice what you wanted to spend, but a pair of the NOS USA Mil-Spec tubes will probably outlast the reissue TungSol's several times over.

Despite the best efforts by Russian tube factories, they still can't seem to make power tubes that do not develop premature screen grid failure. That's my main complaint. You can counter this somewhat by doubling the value of the screen grid resistors in the amp to limit screen current. Doesn't really affect the sound or response of the amp, but does lengthen tube life in my own experience. I do this mod to all workhorse amps that come through, e.g. from rehearsal studios, tours, etc. With vintage amps, I try and talk the customer into the real deal, i.e. NOS power tubes.

[big_teee]

Despite the best efforts by Russian tube factories, they still can't seem to make power tubes that do not develop premature screen grid failure. That's my main complaint. You can counter this somewhat by doubling the value of the screen grid resistors in the amp to limit screen current. Doesn't really affect the sound or response of the amp, but does lengthen tube life in my own experience. I do this mod to all workhorse amps that come through, e.g. from rehearsal studios, tours, etc. With vintage amps, I try and talk the customer into the real deal, i.e. NOS power tubes.

To be clear you would replace the 5 Watt 470s for say 5 Watt 1k Screen Resistors for a 6L6 Circuit?
Thanks for sharing some of Your experience and Amp Knowledge!
Terry

[jrfrond]

That's exactly what I do, although older Fender's use 2W carbon comps. I break tradition here and go with 5W wirewound "bathtub" resistors. On EL34 amps e.g. Marshall, the value I use is 2.2K. EL34's in particular don't need any help to self-destruct!

If you fold each lead under the resistor and then make a downward bend about 1/8" in from the sides, then cut the leads to 1/2" and make a 3/16" hook bend in the end to insert into the hole in the tube socket, these will fit any Fender amp 100% of the time.

[CharlieP]

We use a lot of the 6L6EH's here as replacements. They do sound pretty good, but they aren't RCA BP's by any strectch of the imagination, and the plate structure doesn't look like them either.

These are actually Sovtec 6L6WXT+!

[big_teee]

These are actually Sovtec 6L6WXT+!

Not according to Tube Depot.
It's the new and improved version.
They are both made by New Sensor Corp.
Electro-Harmonix 6L6 EH
Terry

[CharlieP]

Not according to Tube Depot.
It's the new and improved version.
They are both made by New Sensor Corp.
Electro-Harmonix 6L6 EH
Terry

I have both and they look identical to me in every way! You can't convince me any different. If it looks like a Duck and walks like a Duck and quacks like a Duck, it's a Duck!

[big_teee]

I have both and they look identical to me in every way! You can't convince me any different. If it looks like a Duck and walks like a Duck and quacks like a Duck, it's a Duck!

I have a Pair of the Sovtek 6l6wxt+ that are over 3 years old and they still sound great.
I have played them everyday in my Traynor Amp.
If you have both, do they sound the same?
The Sovtek's are cheaper.
Sovtek 6L6WXT+
Terry
I stand, Corrected!

[CharlieP]

They sound very similar. I like the EH a slight bit better but that may be a different rated tube.

[big_teee]

How could they be rated different, if they are the same?
T

[MWJB]

"Looking the same" & "being the same" are not the same thing. Both look the same as the Sovtek5881WXT, but that and the EH6L6 are very different sonically to that tube.

[CharlieP]

How could they be rated different, if they are the same?
T

Different rating for breakup different bias point, all EH or any tube are not matched so there are differences within the tubes as they are being constructed. I don't know how you think they all are exactly alike! They are then tested and matched as needed.

[Slobrain]

hey all,

So what would you all consider the best sounding new 6L6 with the highest headroom?

Also the best sounding 12AX7 for Fender amps?

Thanks

Slo

[CharlieP]

I like the TAD 6L6WGC-STR, others like the SED Winged - C which I have never tried. I also like TAD 7025 Highgrade for V1 Sovtek 12ax7 LPS for the PI but prefer the old RCA and Mullard tubes!

[big_teee]

I like the TAD 6L6WGC-STR, others like the SED Winged - C which I have never tried. I also like TAD 7025 Highgrade for V1 Sovtek 12ax7 LPS for the PI but prefer the old RCA and Mullard tubes!

The TADs are BorderLine, and the Winged Cs are Definitely over my $50 Range.
IMO I would spend a C-Note and by the NOS JANs before I would spend that much on the Winged Cs.

Terry

[Rhodesplyr]

So what would you all consider the best sounding new 6L6 with the highest headroom?

Also the best sounding 12AX7 for Fender amps?

The "best tube" question comes up frequently, but how do you answer it? It depends on your particular amp, your guitar, your playing style, and what kind of sound you want. For some people, the best sounding 6L6 might not be the one with the highest headroom.

Just this week, I had a client who needed new preamp/driver tubes in his Fender amp, so I brought him a variety pack. He played, and I swapped tubes. He selected the Chinese 12AX7B for V1 & V2, a JJ ECC803S for V4, and a GE 5751 for the phase inverter. He played a show in Florida last night and called me this afternoon to tell me how great his amp sounded. I reminded him that *he* was the one who picked the winners, not me. My only advice was to tell him to pick the ones that got him the sound he wanted with the least effort.

In the end, I don't think that there's any substitute for plugging in tubes and listening for system synergy.

[Bruce / Mission Amps]

The "best tube" question comes up frequently, but how do you answer it? ...
Just this week, I had a client who needed new preamp/driver tubes in his Fender amp, so I brought him a variety pack. He played, and I swapped tubes. He selected the Chinese 12AX7B for V1 & V2, ...
In the end, I don't think that there's any substitute for plugging in tubes and listening for system synergy.

I wish I had a dollar for the many times I've done this and my semi-pro customer picked the cheap $9.00 Chinese preamp tubes over the super, whiz bang, woof woof, NET driven drivel, tube of the month... for V1 and V2!! ha ha

[pdf64]

I'm really impressed with Winged C 6L6. I look after the amps of a couple of pro/semi pro friends; fitted them with Winged Cs 3 and 2 years ago and they're still running fine at 2 - 3 loud gigs/week in Fender combos, putting out full power, more than I expect to see from the few other current production types I've looked at. Pete.

[big_teee]

I'm really impressed with Winged C 6L6. I look after the amps of a couple of pro/semi pro friends; fitted them with Winged Cs 3 and 2 years ago and they're still running fine at 2 - 3 loud gigs/week in Fender combos, putting out full power, more than I expect to see from the few other current production types I've looked at. Pete.

I've really wanted to try the SED Cs, but Geez they really shot up in recent months.
Has anyone Heard why they went from the $50s a pair to around $80 a pair.
Other tubes are still running about the same.
It looks like the whole SED line really Jumped up like that.
Later,
B-T

[deci belle]

I'm really pleased with the TungSol 6L6STR in a Showman with a cathode follower channel. Tube Depot sold me a set that would break up early, rated at 18. I don't know what the high end clean rated number would be.

I'm using 3 Watt metal oxide 1k Screen Resistors too.

[jmaf]

For me, it's the TungSol 6L6STR. They sound great, the reliability seems pretty good and are readily-available. I think that New Sensor/Reflektor did a pretty good job with resissuing these.

I like their tone, they're also physically tiny and charming, folks who see them like their look. One note about their smaller size is they won't be tight under 5881 clips and spring holders.

As far as tone goes, I observed that if the amp has near or over 400 VDC G2 voltage the STR tone goes very dry, lifeless...as if G2 was stealing some of the mojo from the plate(that's just my empirical observation, no idea what the proper explanation is). On amps with high G2 voltage I had amazing tone from Genalex KT66's - I think also made by Reflector but they go for $ 90 a pair.

Another observation is do not push these STR's into the socket with pressure on the top surface, my thumb went right through one and if the amp was on I'd have had quite some fun. Thread with photos i took : Tung-Sol 6L6STR fragile bottle top

[jbltwin1]

Rather weird, sticking your finger through a tube. Like the sign says, sh!t happens. I haven't used the TADS but would like to. THe JJ's have been my main stay for a while and really have no failures to date but I do it part time and don't do nearly the volume you guys do. I really like the Wingy C's but they have jumped into the stratosphere lately. EH, good tubes. I know Jon used to SWEAR by Ruby but I had nothing but trouble with them. Must be a shipping thing! My only REAL hard and fast rule is that if it says GT, RUN!

[big_teee]

Just Purchased a pair of TAD 6L6GC-STR Tall Bottle Black Plate Tubes.
I put them in my Traynor YCS50. Wanted a tube that was Open with more Headroom.
These sound great, I highly recommend them.T

[jmaf]

Just Purchased a pair of TAD 6L6GC-STR Tall Bottle Black Plate Tubes.
I put them in my Traynor YCS50. Wanted a tube that was Open with more Headroom.
These sound great, I highly recommend them.T

Nice. Do you recognize them, e.g what model they originally were? I know TungSol has been making STR's but they're definitely not tall bottle.

[big_teee]

Nice. Do you recognize them, e.g what model they originally were? I know TungSol has been making STR's but they're definitely not tall bottle.

Here's a picture.
I bought them at Mojo.
I read that they are designed at TAD in Germany, and made in China.
Same deal with some of the Ruby's I think.
I was looking for a tube that would sound clean with a strat in my Traynor.
So far so good.
http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/images/..._640-y_480.jpg
T

[jmaf]

Indeed I don't recognize it at first glance and the STR designation would tell us it's been customized by some manufacturer.

There is something about tubes made in China that tells me they're made there at first glance. Maybe the space between the glass and the plate, whatever, there's something about them. "Made in China" is a clue too, but I don't see that anywhere on there

[JoeM]

Looks similar to this: (Ruby 6L6GC MSTR)

http://www.tubesandmore.com/sites/de...L6GC-M-STR.png

[big_teee]

Looks similar to this: (Ruby 6L6GC MSTR)

http://www.tubesandmore.com/sites/de...L6GC-M-STR.png

The Ruby's shown have the Grey plates.
The TADs are the only tube I have with the Real Shiny Black plates.
Here's the data sheet on it.
http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/images/...2008.07.11.pdf
T

[jmaf]

The Ruby's shown have the Grey plates.
The TADs are the only tube I have with the Real Shiny Black plates.
Here's the data sheet on it.
http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/images/...2008.07.11.pdf
T

I love it how 99% marketing material for musicians either alludes to destruction, food or clothing.

Exhibit A:
"Swing your axe and shred in a rock rampage of deathly vengeance. The all new all old vintage new old thing for metalheads."

Exhibit B:
"Silky smooth tops and satin mids. Mix in with our exclusive patented curduroy bell bottom end and cotton fresh velvet drive. Wear our new amplifier at the nearest hipster fashion mall."

Exhibit C:
"Vanilla overdrive with creamy highs and just the right amount of sweet distortion. Buy this s@#t and eat it already."

EDIT: OMG the TAD marketing combines those techniques! Guts and biting and magic and THEN silky top ends??? This is a winner my friend I can tell by the pixels.

[Jazz P Bass]

I don't know why but your post reminded me of George Carlin's classic football vs baseball skit.


"Baseball and Football." George Carlin

Baseball is pastoral
Football is technological

Baseball is played in a park
Football is played in a stadium

Baseball...has no time limit
We don't know when it's gonna happen
Football is rigidly timed
And it will end if we have to even go to sudden death

Baseball has the bunt
Football has the punt

Baseball's object is to go home...I'm going home!
In football, we're down in enemy territory
Reaching for the end zone

In football we have the block, the clip, the kick, the blitz, the bomb,
The offense, the defense
In baseball, we have the sacrifice

And in baseball, you make an error
In football, you pay a penalty"

[big_teee]

I love it how 99% marketing material for musicians either alludes to destruction, food or clothing.

Exhibit A:
"Swing your axe and shred in a rock rampage of deathly vengeance. The all new all old vintage new old thing for metalheads."

Exhibit B:
"Silky smooth tops and satin mids. Mix in with our exclusive patented curduroy bell bottom end and cotton fresh velvet drive. Wear our new amplifier at the nearest hipster fashion mall."

Exhibit C:
"Vanilla overdrive with creamy highs and just the right amount of sweet distortion. Buy this s@#t and eat it already."

EDIT: OMG the TAD marketing combines those techniques! Guts and biting and magic and THEN silky top ends??? This is a winner my friend I can tell by the pixels.

How many dozen Pairs did you order?
T

[jmaf]

How many dozen Pairs did you order?
T

With that amount of silky creamy velvet magic? Three boxes full !

[big_teee]

With that amount of silky creamy velvet magic? Three boxes full !

With the Dealer Discount, Look how much money you saved!
B_T