Tubes?

[Icetech]

Hey guys, i need to pick up some 6l6's and 6v6's, my 6l6's are old beat up and mismatched (which i didn't notice) so i find it pointless to try to mod without knowing i have good tubes... Where do you recommend to get some tubes? brand? and so forth? tubesandmore?

[Bob-I]

Great question....

I've been using either JJ's or Winged C and can't decide between them. For the 6V6 amp there's nothing that sounds like the JJ's, but for the 6L6 amp I'm torn. I believe the Winged C's are a little smoother, but the JJ's seem to have an aggressive attack that the Winged C's can't match.

I'm interested in other folks opinions.

[oldmacman]

I like Winged C. Nice bluesy breakup.

I have yet to try KT66 or KT88 - maybe closer to SRV?

[BobW]

Well, IMO nothin beats the ubiquitous/reasonably unattainable RCA 6L6GCs, but seriously I also prefer the JJ 6L6, 6V6 and the Ruby 6L6MSTR. Have tried the Winged Cs and find they are a little harsh compared to the JJs. The cheap Sovteks 6L6s, (small base) also sound great for the price too. Another great tube is the EH 7591. It's not pin to pin compatible with the 6L6, so I made a tone bone clone adapter to accept the 7591s in a 6L6 amp. Although the gain is less and similar to the 5881, I love the tone of the 7591s, very smooth breakup at hi vol.

Also there are a lot of other issues to consider when just A-B comparing tubes. Your playing style, # of stomp boxes used, and how you like to bias your tubes play a significant role in how the tubes perform from one vendor to another, or even from player to player.

[groovtubin]

Well, IMO nothin beats the ubiquitous/reasonably unattainable RCA 6L6GCs, but seriously I also prefer the JJ 6L6, 6V6 and the Ruby 6L6MSTR. Have tried the Winged Cs and find they are a little harsh compared to the JJs. The cheap Sovteks 6L6s, (small base) also sound great for the price too. Another great tube is the EH 7591. It's not pin to pin compatible with the 6L6, so I made a tone bone clone adapter to accept the 7591s in a 6L6 amp. Although the gain is less and similar to the 5881, I love the tone of the 7591s, very smooth breakup at hi vol.

Also there are a lot of other issues to consider when just A-B comparing tubes. Your playing style, # of stomp boxes used, and how you like to bias your tubes play a significant role in how the tubes perform from one vendor to another, or even from player to player.

[BobW]

Not yet, groovtubin. I mostly buy from either CE distribution or Magic Parts, and seldom from Mojo Tone. don't know if they have them available, will see and give them a try...thanks for the info - bro

[groovtubin]

Not yet, groovtubin. I mostly buy from either CE distribution or Magic Parts, and seldom from Mojo Tone. don't know if they have them available, will see and give them a try...thanks for the info - bro

[Bob-I]

Not yet, groovtubin. I mostly buy from either CE distribution or Magic Parts, and seldom from Mojo Tone. don't know if they have them available, will see and give them a try...thanks for the info - bro

Being on east coast, i buy more from CE believe it or not! Better selection and price! The TAD 12AX7`s are FREAKIN HI GAIN, i could only turn the gain to (3) and it`d oscillate the circuit, the JJ wouldn`t do it till @ 7!!!!! There is a slight trade-off, and thats re-tweakin for the tube! But i do like the TAD`s better..

Kinda sounds like something's unstable in there. I can dime my amps using JJ's or EH's with no issues. I haven't tried the TAD's yet but I have tried Groove tubes which are very high gain. I find them harsh compared to the EH's and JJ's.

[Icetech]

CE have a webpage?