5881 and 6L6
- Thread starter GuitarStv
- Start date
Danglin' Fury
New member
Re: 5881 and 6L6
I think JJ tubes says the KT77 is the direct replacement for an EL34.:smokin:
And the KT 66 is 6L6 and further, the KT88 is 6550.
I think JJ tubes says the KT77 is the direct replacement for an EL34.:smokin:
And the KT 66 is 6L6 and further, the KT88 is 6550.
Danglin' Fury
New member
Pierre
Stratologist
Re: 5881 and 6L6
Yeah my thoughts exactly now :laugh2: I gotta redo my tubeology hahaha And stop smoking. :smokin:
Yeah my thoughts exactly now :laugh2: I gotta redo my tubeology hahaha And stop smoking. :smokin:
kevlar3000
Bullet Proof Toneologist
Re: 5881 and 6L6
I got some Sino's recently ( Shuguang) at 9.00 a pop and they sound great. Really like them.
I got some Sino's recently ( Shuguang) at 9.00 a pop and they sound great. Really like them.
kevlar3000
Bullet Proof Toneologist
Re: 5881 and 6L6
I have not heard anything else I like better as far as the new stuff goes. Really good in several of my amps.
I have not heard anything else I like better as far as the new stuff goes. Really good in several of my amps.
kevlar3000
Bullet Proof Toneologist
Re: 5881 and 6L6
I have not, other than a couple pres a friend gave me which are decent, but I tend to prefer the vintage stuff in most cases. The price point on the Shuguang stuff is just too good.
I have not, other than a couple pres a friend gave me which are decent, but I tend to prefer the vintage stuff in most cases. The price point on the Shuguang stuff is just too good.
Lake Placid Blues
New member
Re: 5881 and 6L6
I agree that the traditional American 5881 is lower headroom compared to typical 6L6 tubes, probably because it's physically smaller throughout. It was originally a small bottle version 6L6 for the US Navy, hence it's millitary/industrial part number.
The Russian (Sovtek/Reflektor) millitary 5881's used extensively in amps during the 90's, are their own thing, and have their own sound, although they also typically have a lower headroom than a typical 6L6. They are not a direct copy of the late 50's early 60's American 5881's used in vintage American amps, although it carries the same ID number.
Different 6L6 tubes could have several different bottle shapes and sizes as well. This is were different subfixes such as GT, GC, GB,... ect... begin to come into play. Ofton, the amount of vacuum (effecting how hot it runs) will vary depending on the bottle design.
The high headroom tube of the 6L6 family is the 7581. 7581's may also carry special part numbers beginning with the letters STR.
Although the British millitary grade KT66 is technically of the 6L6 family, I also really think it's in a class of it's own as far as it's signature sound and response.
A European version of the standard grade 6L6(GT) is the EL37, although they are extemely rare.
I agree that the traditional American 5881 is lower headroom compared to typical 6L6 tubes, probably because it's physically smaller throughout. It was originally a small bottle version 6L6 for the US Navy, hence it's millitary/industrial part number.
The Russian (Sovtek/Reflektor) millitary 5881's used extensively in amps during the 90's, are their own thing, and have their own sound, although they also typically have a lower headroom than a typical 6L6. They are not a direct copy of the late 50's early 60's American 5881's used in vintage American amps, although it carries the same ID number.
Different 6L6 tubes could have several different bottle shapes and sizes as well. This is were different subfixes such as GT, GC, GB,... ect... begin to come into play. Ofton, the amount of vacuum (effecting how hot it runs) will vary depending on the bottle design.
The high headroom tube of the 6L6 family is the 7581. 7581's may also carry special part numbers beginning with the letters STR.
Although the British millitary grade KT66 is technically of the 6L6 family, I also really think it's in a class of it's own as far as it's signature sound and response.
A European version of the standard grade 6L6(GT) is the EL37, although they are extemely rare.
Stratman
Guitaris Maximus
Re: 5881 and 6L6
5881 are not 6L6 tubes
KT-77 are neither 6550 or El-34 tubes
KT-66 are neither 6L6 or 5881 tubes
There are differences in the heater voltages and output.
For example;
KT-66 takes 1.3 amps while the 6L6 takes 0.9 amps
Tung Sol 5881 puts out 31 ~ 44 watts
RCA 6L6 puts out 24 ~ 32 watts
GEC - KT-66 puts out 28 ~ 50 watts
Push/pull Class AB, all depended on the bais setting, plate voltage etc... (All values adjusted for two tubes)
.
5881 are not 6L6 tubes
KT-77 are neither 6550 or El-34 tubes
KT-66 are neither 6L6 or 5881 tubes
There are differences in the heater voltages and output.
For example;
KT-66 takes 1.3 amps while the 6L6 takes 0.9 amps
Tung Sol 5881 puts out 31 ~ 44 watts
RCA 6L6 puts out 24 ~ 32 watts
GEC - KT-66 puts out 28 ~ 50 watts
Push/pull Class AB, all depended on the bais setting, plate voltage etc... (All values adjusted for two tubes)
.
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