new power tubes - which ones?

drew_half_empty

drew_half_empty

Looking for Real Life
well, i made out like a bandit on birthday money & got a couple nice checks from work, so i think when i order my new speakers i'll get some power tubes, too

i've narrowed it down to:
groove tubes 6l6cb (coke bottles)
electro harmonix 6l6
jj 6l6

right now i'm running ruby 6l6gcmstr's & i'm wanting something smoother (bluesier, greasier, warmer, whatever you wanna call it) with earlier breakup, not a WHOLE LOT earlier but a little earlier. This amp CAN HAVE a harsh distortion character even with the electro harmonix pre's, infact i have the tone on my tubescreamer rolled back all the way with the bright switch on the amp off so, the warmer & smoother the better

so, compare/contrast maybe?
 
Last edited:
Re: new power tubes - which ones?

Not dsure which amp, but I like the small bottle TAD 6L6WGB's. For a little more you can get NOS JAN 6L6WGB's.
 
Re: new power tubes - which ones?

I'm with Scott. TADs for current production, JAN Philips for NOS. They're smooth, warm, and generally yummy.
 
Re: new power tubes - which ones?

well i like what was said about the 6l6wgc's, about the creamy mids & sweet top end & all that

can the same be said about the gb's? I'm guessing this is a 5881 with a more 6l6 tone, or just a low wattage 6l6 but i'm not sure
 
Re: new power tubes - which ones?

<My error, TAD puts the b on there. Same small bottle tube. Lower wattage 6L6. They sound incredible in my Tweed Pro as well as my old Dumble-inspired Two Rock.
 
Re: new power tubes - which ones?

Tone is a bit warmer, break up sooner, quite smooth. Quit worrying about wattage! It just doesn't matter. This generally an affliction of younger guitarists. Gotta have more power!!! But, there is something missing perhaps in the tone dept, so you are looking for a change. So, if you go from 100 watts to 80, but your tone improves to the point that you are finally content, will you miss those ellusive 20 extra watts? I doubt it! You will lose a bit of clean headroom, but not *that* much.

You are a good guy, but at times you appear to spend a lot of time chasing your tail.

Ask yourself why you went with 100 watts in the first place. Keep your answer to yourself. More is not necessarily better.

To Quote you..."i'm wanting something smoother (bluesier, greasier, warmer, whatever you wanna call it) with earlier breakup, not a WHOLE LOT earlier but a little earlier. "

You need a lesser powered 6L6 to get you there (actually 4 of them). Cheers! :)
 
Re: new power tubes - which ones?

actually man, i was asking about wattage so i could sort of gauge how much more they'd break up, not because i wanted more than i already had

i know i'll have to sacrifice some wattage, but i think dropping from 170 to 130-140 is more than fine if it gets me that tone, like you said
 
Re: new power tubes - which ones?

is there such a thing as early breakup at 170 watts? I really am just curious...it seems you'd have to crank that thing real hard to get some breakup out of it...maybe I'm just off or you have a secret I need to know :) (I don't use more than 35 watts though, so that's just me)
 
Re: new power tubes - which ones?

i didn't say i wanted a bedroom amp, i said i wanted more gain at "10"

i love crankin it hard
 
Re: new power tubes - which ones?

i don't wanna hijack, but
what do you guys think about the tad gc's?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Tube swap for another ones.
Replies
10
Views
1K
chadd
chadd
moshpit817
  • Locked
Ruby 6l6 GCMS Matched Pair Power Tubes Brand New
Replies
3
Views
570
moshpit817
moshpit817
Rex_Rocker
My thoughts on a few CP 12AX7's for high-gain amps
2
Replies
32
Views
4K
Rex_Rocker
Rex_Rocker
JeffB
A fistfull of JJs
2
Replies
31
Views
4K
allstarrme
allstarrme
Progbusters
new tubes for my randall rvc
Replies
2
Views
3K
Progbusters
Progbusters
Back
Top