Clip comparison of Tung Sol 6L6 STR vs Phillips 7581

[dogears]

Just a little test from yesterday playing over Aussen backer #6. Amp is the Bludo Ojai w/Loopalator. Tung Sol short bottle 6L6 tubes. Mullard Preamps. Recorded with no effects, just 200pf cables to and from loop.

Carruthers CSA guitar. Glaswerks 2X12 w/Celestion G1265 Multimiced with SM57 and GT Hardtop.

http://scottlernermusic.com/Bludo/Ausse ... ungSol.mp3

This morning I swapped in my Phillips 7581 output tubes. Biased around 35ma, same levels as yesterdays clip. Mix has a touch less verb and a touch more delay. Very similar in every other way.

http://www.scottlernermusic.com/Bludo/A ... ai7581.mp3

Seems the 7581 has more harmonics on top and are clearer in the bass. The Tung Sol is denser in the low mids and although they seem to feedback easier, they don't. 7581 does. I just miliked it differently on the takes.

Too bad the Phillips/RCA stuff is crazy expensive now!!! I have a set of "hot" Winged C tubes coming from CE this week. Hope they work out.

[Structo]

The Tung Sols seemed a little clearer to my ear, more focused.

They both sound decent and I'm sure for the most part you could dial in what you want.

You have me nervous about the Winged C's now.

I have a set in my amp and I guess I got lucky because they sound good.

They are about two years old.

[kleinm]

Interestingly enough, I think both sound great. Like you said, the 7581 seems a little clearer across the EQ range. I like the thickness of the Tung-Sol, though.

IME, the 7581s make any amp sound much clearer and more articulate. They're my favorite 6L6, too bad they've essentially become unobtainium.

If I get some $, one of these days I'm going to have to try a set of the Tung-Sol 6L6-STRs and the TAD 6L6GC-STRs in my rebuilt 100W. This review piqued my curiosity on the TAD STR some years back.

http://www.fenderforum.com/forum.html?d ... 0322:49:31

[talbany]

Yeah!! 7581's you can hear the low mid howl.. caught that right off!!
I have Sylvania's in my Bluesmaster..... instant bump in low end and tight clear highs!!

Tony

[Structo]

My D'lite came with TAD 6L6GC-STR's, these are the tall bottle 6L6.

They were supposedly burnt in before I got them (read used).
After I put about 8 hours on them, one redplated big time.
I caught it before any damage was done.

These tubes really sounded good while they worked but I have been a bit gun shy about trying them again.
I know this can happen to any tube but just the same.

I see now that TAD has the 6L6GE style black plates.
I may have to give those a try.

I have enjoyed the Winged C 6L6 I have in my amp now.

I have a pair of Baldwin branded RCA black plate 6L6GC's that I have used sparingly, they really do sound good! But I'm afraid of them dying so I have the Winged C's back in now.

The JJ 6L6 I tried seemed kind of lifeless and sterile, not much punch or clarity at all.

I also have a pair of Sovtek WXT 5881's that I tried briefly.
I don't remember much other than I didn't care for them.
They are just backups now.

That's all the 6L6 experience I have.

[butwhatif]

The feeding back really gets in the way of the music, like efx can, it's deceiving the tone. a test w/no change in the way it's miked would go a long way.

[dogears]

I did not touch the mics..... Both clips were recorded the same. I just was in a different mood this morning so I played differently and interacted differently!

Thansk for listening.....

The feeding back really gets in the way of the music, like efx can, it's deceiving the tone. a test w/no change in the way it's miked would go a long way.

[crbowman]

Never tried 7581's, but I've tried both the short bottle Tung-Sol 6L6's and the Winged C 6L6's.
IMHO, the Winged C's sounded bigger and more dynamic, more like the classic 6L6 sound, whereas the TS's sounded sweeter, and almost like 6V6's through the high mids, but with better bottom end. I pulled the TS's after hearing horror stories about them flaming out, but may go back and try them again.