6V6 Tubes

[txbluesboy]

What are your opinions on the best current production 6V6?

[billyz]

Someone will say the JJ. But since it is not really a 6v6 I will say the Tungsol Reissue 6v6, second would be the EH 6v6.

Also, JJ's have been real hit or miss lately for me.

[tubeswell]

I love the JJ6V6S - I'm not so hot on their 6L6GC tho - Iinfact I have been bitterly disappointed with them - but the 6V6S are just dandy

[PlinytheWelder]

I really like the JJ "6V6", too. I have an amp that runs 4 of them and they sound fine.

IIRC, they are really 7000 series tube and there was a thread in a forum that went into detail on that. In any case they are robust tubes that don't do what the old Soviet 6V6 is doing in my avatar.

[billyz]

JJ is a little light on published tube data . But from what I can find, it appears to be closer to the original 6l6. It can be biased closer to a 6l6 as well. Used in a 6v6 circuit, it does appear to be very robust.

The reason it is not my choice is because it is not a true 6v6 . It may sound very good, but does not sound or behave like a good 6v6gt.

Tone wise , the Tungsol reissue does behave and sound like a good 6v6gt. Even thought it is not as robust in construction. Unfortunately nothing can beat a RCA or original Tungsol 6v6gt.

One more consideration, The JJ is taller than any other 6v6. I had one old amp that they just would not fit.

[FYL]

Unfortunately nothing can beat a RCA or original Tungsol 6v6gt.

Ahem, have you tried some Bendix 5992's?

[billyz]

Unfortunately nothing can beat a RCA or original Tungsol 6v6gt.

Ahem, have you tried some Bendix 5992's?

You got me. I would love to try some. Send me yours and I will let you know ,

I have been trying to obtain a pr. But the prices are insane. I have scored many a RCA or Tungsol for $3-10 ea.

[txbluesboy]

Thanks everyone. Where's a good source for Tung-sol's?

[selloutrr]

the ruby's aren't bad and come with a 90 day warrenty

since none of the new production 6v6 sound amazing to me. they all feel brittle and not very dimensional.. Makes me wonder what has changed from the golden years, if it's enviromental, materials, or just less care in the build.

I buy whatever is on sale lots of supply depots have an overstock or clearance section.

The new Tungsol compliment the Fender amps nicely.
Can't hear a different in the gold pin JJ's at least not enough to warrant the price increase.
Nothing wrong with Sovtek/EH they actually make most of the OEM tubes that are shipped with current production amps and silk screened "insert name here"
There are some companies like eurotubes, that sell JJ's and for a couple dollars more they will test and help select a voicing to suit your needs. I've have great luck with marshall JMP's calling and expressing the character i want the amp to have, the tubes come labeled for which position, plug , bias, play.... awesome! no bad tubes and a great sounding amp.

[FYL]

I have been trying to obtain a pr. But the prices are insane.

Current retail price is $250 for a NOS/ANOS matched pair. Oh well...

[M Fowler]

I was wondering why my JJ-6V6 didn't sound right now I know. I am going to place an order for the tubes Biily suggested.

I do have two old 6V6 tubes RCA as well in a Deluxe type amp.

[Structo]

The old Hammond amp I converted to a 6V6 Rocket came with Sylvania silver top 6V6GT's.

I think they are from the early '60's and still sound great!

Amazing how the quality has shifted now that everything is not tube powered.
The 1950-60's would be an exciting time to be alive and be into tube amps.

[orrong65]

I know your original question was about current production 6V6s, but there are so many vintage tubes out there in better than new electrical condition, why would you go past?

Right now you can buy a matched quad of late 1950s or early 1960s RCAs, TungSols, Sylvanias, Ken Rads or GEs for under $100, often well under. And you can get any of the 6V6, 6V6GT, 6V6GTA, 6V6GTY variants.

My best choices are RCA silver logos for blackface amps, Sylvania brown base or Raytheon box plates for tweed amps.

[skeezbo]

txbluesboy
I have never ordered from this source, so I don't know much about it. He used to advertise in Vintage Guitar. He seems to have lots of NOS 6V6s at reasonable prices: www.hitestguitars.com
Skeez

[billyz]

One of my clients just got a set of very Nice tested 6v6's from hitest. I confirmed the good match and performance in his tweed clone. I seem to remember they were GE . sounded good.