NOS tubes

[anewdefguitarist]

So with the time shortage, I’ve got a line in some svetlana winged C 6L6GC tubes - do I need to worry about the Mesa color coding, or GT # rating? What do I ask this guy before I drop my money on the tubes - just how “hot” they are? Or do I ask what the tubes rating are?

Thanks in advance - please be kind, never felt with NOS tubes before

 

[devastone]

What kind of amp are you putting them in. I wouldn't really worry about that, but I would get the amp biased for them it it has adjustable bias.

Svetlana tubes are NOS now, wow, I remember when they were the "new" tubes, had a cool t-shirt with a glow in the dark tube on it. When I think of NOS, I think of US or UK tubes.

 

[anewdefguitarist]

Apparently the lp (plate current) is 46 - anyone know if that’s considered low medium or high?

 

[anewdefguitarist]

What kind of amp are you putting them in. I wouldn't really worry about that, but I would get the amp biased for them it it has adjustable bias.

Svetlana tubes are NOS now, wow, I remember when they were the "new" tubes, had a cool t-shirt with a glow in the dark tube on it. When I think of NOS, I think of US or UK tubes.

Mesa Single Rectifier - so fixed bias

 

[anewdefguitarist]

Apparently the lp (plate current) is 46 - anyone know if that’s considered low medium or high?

What I’ve learned so far

 

[LLL]

So with the time shortage, I’ve got a line in some svetlana winged C 6L6GC tubes - do I need to worry about the Mesa color coding, or GT # rating? What do I ask this guy before I drop my money on the tubes - just how “hot” they are? Or do I ask what the tubes rating are?

Thanks in advance - please be kind, never felt with NOS tubes before

Mesa and Groove Tubes sell re-labeled tubes; they don't make their own tubes... never had.

Then they rate them based on their own criteria.

So in a way it's a bit facetious of them.

 

[devastone]

What LLL said, they are systems that probably only make sense to Mesa and GT, if it's a good deal on the Svetlanas, I'd say go for it.

 

[JMP/HBE]

What kind of amp are you putting them in. I wouldn't really worry about that, but I would get the amp biased for them it it has adjustable bias.

Svetlana tubes are NOS now, wow, I remember when they were the "new" tubes, had a cool t-shirt with a glow in the dark tube on it. When I think of NOS, I think of US or UK tubes.

Svets are not "NOS". They're current production tubes that currently are not available but should be soon and at a higher price unfortunately.
As for Mesa & tube bias there is none just plug n play.
If they wont work you'll find out real fast.

 

[beaubrummels]

Apparently the lp (plate current) is 46 - anyone know if that’s considered low medium or high?

Typical plate current on a 6L6GC is 54mA, with 350V. I don't know the impact of lower current on the plate. The grid bias should be -18V. Like JMP/HBE says, if the Mesa is not adjustable, then you'll find out right away if they work or not. (Doesn't mean anything will blow up, but might not sound good and could shorten the lifespan of components in the amp.)

 

[anewdefguitarist]

So the only isssue would be sound quality/tone if these don’t work…. And then I’m out $125 bucks lol.

i realize Mesa doesnt make tubes, maybe I wasn’t clear on what I want to know…. I just didn’t know if the plate current value (46 in this case) had any bearing on how Mesa/GT got their “hot/cold” 1-10 number.

 

[Obsessive Compulsive]

Typical plate current on a 6L6GC is 54mA, with 350V. I don't know the impact of lower current on the plate. The grid bias should be -18V. Like JMP/HBE says, if the Mesa is not adjustable, then you'll find out right away if they work or not. (Doesn't mean anything will blow up, but might not sound good and could shorten the lifespan of components in the amp.)

Is 'not adjustable' similar to a bias switch? My Laney has a bias switch that allows either EL34 or 6L6.

 

[anewdefguitarist]

Is 'not adjustable' similar to a bias switch? My Laney has a bias switch that allows either EL34 or 6L6.

Yes, my Single Rec is fixed bias with only a 6L6/EL34 selection switch

 

[anewdefguitarist]

So anytime someone tries non-GT or Mesa tubes, they’re basically just rolling the dice?

 

[devastone]

No, GT and Mesa are not necessarily the "best" tubes. Again, they buy from the same manufacturers as everyone else and just have their own rating systems. A little googling will tell you which of their tubes come from where, I know in GT if the tube has a "R" on the end it is Russian, if it has a "C" it is Chinese, like 12AX7R or 12AX7C.

There are only 3 or 4(?) places that manufacture tubes left, JJs are made in Slovakia, Shuguang are Chinese, but there was a fire at their plant a few years ago and it has been closed, supposedly will be opening again soon. PSvane are a relatively new brand from China. Svetlana New Sensor Corp is in Russia and make Electro-Harmonix, Svetlana, "new" Tung-Sol, Gold Lion, and maybe "new" Mullard tubes (might want to check me on that).

Of course, Russian tubes may be harder to get now given current events although EH seems to be able to import their tubes.

Again, I came up with this info quickly off the top of my head and a quick google search, so please double check me.

 

[anewdefguitarist]

No, GT and Mesa are not necessarily the "best" tubes. Again, they buy from the same manufacturers as everyone else and just have their own rating systems. A little googling will tell you which of their tubes come from where, I know in GT if the tube has a "R" on the end it is Russian, if it has a "C" it is Chinese, like 12AX7R or 12AX7C.

There are only 3 or 4(?) places that manufacture tubes left, JJs are made in Slovakia, Shuguang are Chinese, but there was a fire at their plant a few years ago and it has been closed, supposedly will be opening again soon. PSvane are a relatively new brand from China. Svetlana New Sensor Corp is in Russia and make Electro-Harmonix, Svetlana, "new" Tung-Sol, Gold Lion, and maybe "new" Mullard tubes (might want to check me on that).

Of course, Russian tubes may be harder to get now given current events although EH seems to be able to import their tubes.

Again, I came up with this info quickly off the top of my head and a quick google search, so please double check me.

what I mean is that Mesa wants you to use btwn a 4-6 rated tube. How can I know what tubes to buy if not everyone follows the same number rating? That’s what I meant by rolling the dice. If I buy a tube that’s too hot or cold, what happens as my amp? When mesa gets all these tubes from these places, they sort through them and match them, test them etc. they use a color coding system similar to GT. But I know other people use non-Mesa tubes, so how do you know what you’re getting? They just rolling the dice?

 

[devastone]

Why not just buy Mesa then? FWIW, as HBE stated, Svets are not NOS tubes, some of the Mesas may come from the same factory. Or, e-mail Mesa support, they used to be good at answering questions. They do buy from all the manufacturers and test the tubes so they match up with their fixed bias so it is the safest bet.

Mesa has plenty of choices too - https://www.mesaboogie.com/tubes/power-tubes/index.html

Not sure if this is still 100% accurate, but - https://srl.utu.fi/~tke/MesaBoogie/Tube/mesa-tubes.html

 

[anewdefguitarist]

Why not just buy Mesa then? FWIW, as HBE stated, Svets are not NOS tubes, some of the Mesas may come from the same factory. Or, e-mail Mesa support, they used to be good at answering questions. They do buy from all the manufacturers and test the tubes so they match up with their fixed bias so it is the safest bet.

Mesa has plenty of choices too - https://www.mesaboogie.com/tubes/power-tubes/index.html

Not sure if this is still 100% accurate, but - https://srl.utu.fi/~tke/MesaBoogie/Tube/mesa-tubes.html

I can’t find Mesa tubes IN STOCK anywhere. Plus I found what I thought was an awesome set of tubes, but had questions on what to look for. I’m happy with the Mesa tubes, but can only find Mesa El34 - I prefer the 6L6’s

 

[chadd]

I know a lot of people loved the winged C stuff but I was a big fan of the newer Svetlana 6L6 tubes. I probably have at least half a dozen of them, their "green" coding was in the Mesa preferred range.

 

[formula73]

If you rush to do anything, you’re going to regret it in yhe long run. A bunch of morons are freaking out like the world is going to end but it isn’t. All this bullshit is going to pass. Chill.

 

[chadd]

If you rush to do anything, you’re going to regret it in yhe long run. A bunch of morons are freaking out like the world is going to end but it isn’t. All this bull**** is going to pass. Chill.

I always had a full set of spares in case I needed them, it makes life easier when there are disruptions. That said, time to unload all my old tubes....