Think My Pro Reverb Ready For Some O Tubes?

STRATDELUXER97

STRATDELUXER97

Stratoblaster Tone Meister
I've been using a wonderful set of black plate RCA 6L6s in my 66 Pro Reverb amp since 2001...The amp seems to need some new output tubes,as it's losing some of it's punch,volume,and sustain...Preamp tubes are fine.

If I wanted to try some current output tubes,what do you guys recommend to get me within the same ballpark? I Like clean headroom,warmer,rounder mids,strong,tight bass notes...

I do have some NOS Tung Sol 5881s,but I think these would be the wrong tubes...I think I also have some GE and Sylvania 6L6 or 5881,but wouldn't mind some modern output tube advice..
 
Re: Think My Pro Reverb Ready For Some O Tubes?

I have had GREAT luck with SED Winged C's in my Vibrolux Reverb. Unfortunately, my amp tipped at a jam several years back and broke one of them. I need to get another set.
 
Re: Think My Pro Reverb Ready For Some O Tubes?

So far I see people like the Winged C 6L6s and the small bottle TADs are well received also...I Looked and I actually have a set of the small bottle TADs that Scott F recommended several years ago and I don't think I ever kept them in anything?

Guess it's experimenting time again,but with some output tubes! ;o)
 
Re: Think My Pro Reverb Ready For Some O Tubes?

B Bent said:
I have had GREAT luck with SED Winged C's in my Vibrolux Reverb. Unfortunately, my amp tipped at a jam several years back and broke one of them. I need to get another set.
Click to expand...

How Ironic...You posted before my second post and about the Winged C tubes! Awesome!
 
Re: Think My Pro Reverb Ready For Some O Tubes?

Here's what I've seen so far just looking at my 5881/6L6 collection...What would you guys try first in the Pro Reverb amp?

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Re: Think My Pro Reverb Ready For Some O Tubes?

Looks like you're ahead of the curve with all those choices.

I've always liked the Svetlana 6L6's, but I'm curious to know which of yours makes the grade. Keep us posted. I love it when new production tubes beat out NOS.
 
Re: Think My Pro Reverb Ready For Some O Tubes?

Gearjoneser said:
Looks like you're ahead of the curve with all those choices.

I've always liked the Svetlana 6L6's, but I'm curious to know which of yours makes the grade. Keep us posted. I love it when new production tubes beat out NOS.
Click to expand...

Lol....This is just my 6L6/5881 stuff...You should see all the EL34/6CA7 tubes I have....Then there's the preamp tube box! Lol...

Will let you know....Instinct tells me the Tung Sols are the wrong tubes for this amp!
 
Re: Think My Pro Reverb Ready For Some O Tubes?

That amp deserves new old stock! Shop around you'll find them. If you were really happy with what was in it, then why change? its obviously working so stick with it!
 
Re: Think My Pro Reverb Ready For Some O Tubes?

Bludave said:
That amp deserves new old stock! Shop around you'll find them. If you were really happy with what was in it, then why change? its obviously working so stick with it!
Click to expand...

Dave the BlackPlate RCAs aren't cheap!
 
Re: Think My Pro Reverb Ready For Some O Tubes?

I had Svetlanas in my Tweed Twin for a while. I really liked the sound. Grooves in there now. Tung Sols before that. I like em all to be honest. I think the Svetlanas fit your description the best honestly - that's how I remember them sounding compared to the others. Tung Sols to me were more toppy and old-sounding.
 
Re: Think My Pro Reverb Ready For Some O Tubes?

I don't like small bottle 6L6GB's or 5881's in Blackface Fender amps...those amps sound much better to me with big bottle 6L6GC's.

The Winged SED's are good but are getting harder to find.

There is nothing out there that really compares to black plate RCA's these days...if there was they'd sell a boat load of them but it'll never happen.

I have no love for TAD tubes these days due to a lot of failures and no support from TAD.

If I were going to re-tube a Pro Reverb today I'd spring for NOS but if that's simply not an option I'd look for the Winged C's but at around $75 a pair they are not cheep either. If you do just make sure they are the Winged C versions not just the SED's.

If you need another option that's less money than the Winged C's the 6L6GC from EH is pretty good and the price is right.
 
Re: Think My Pro Reverb Ready For Some O Tubes?

the guy who invented fire said:
I don't like small bottle 6L6GB's or 5881's in Blackface Fender amps...those amps sound much better to me with big bottle 6L6GC's.

The Winged SED's are good but are getting harder to find.

There is nothing out there that really compares to black plate RCA's these days...if there was they'd sell a boat load of them but it'll never happen.

I have no love for TAD tubes these days due to a lot of failures and no support from TAD.

If I were going to re-tube a Pro Reverb today I'd spring for NOS but if that's simply not an option I'd look for the Winged C's but at around $75 a pair they are not cheep either. If you do just make sure they are the Winged C versions not just the SED's.

If you need another option that's less money than the Winged C's the 6L6GC from EH is pretty good and the price is right.
Click to expand...

Great post and thx....The RCA Blackplaters are just really expensive these days and not really in my "today" budget...I kinda was thinking the larger bottled 6L6s might be the way to go...Will have to listen and see what else will satisfy my fussy tastes! ;o)
 
Re: Think My Pro Reverb Ready For Some O Tubes?

Christian what's the difference between the early version Svetlanas I show above and the newer Winged C tubes...Mine I got when the Svetlanas first came out,and they were bought for my Mesa Tremoverb head that I sold..
 
Re: Think My Pro Reverb Ready For Some O Tubes?

The Winged C's are older than the Svets.

The difference is that they were made in different factories by different companies...

I think they winged C's sound sweeter and they seem to last a lot longer.
 
Re: Think My Pro Reverb Ready For Some O Tubes?

Another good tube I forgot about is the new Tung Sol 6L6GC...great tone from those!

In fact I might look at these over the Winged C's right this minute...
 
Re: Think My Pro Reverb Ready For Some O Tubes?

the guy who invented fire said:
Another good tube I forgot about is the new Tung Sol 6L6GC...great tone from those!

In fact I might look at these over the Winged C's right this minute...
Click to expand...

Cool! Are you familiar with the large bottled Ruby STR 6L6s I have shown above in the photos? I guess it was stated that Santana was using them in some of his amps?
 
Re: Think My Pro Reverb Ready For Some O Tubes?

STRATDELUXER97 said:
If I wanted to try some current output tubes,what do you guys recommend to get me within the same ballpark? I Like clean headroom,warmer,rounder mids,strong,tight bass notes...
Click to expand...

Worth just getting a pair of JJ's. They sound good in that they give plenty of headroom, bass and warmth. They are not expensive, so if you decide to invest in some holy grail type NOS tubes, you know you will have a strong, reliable set of spares at a gig. I know you are a NOS/boutique tube fan, but it wont hurt to try them. I think youll be surprised.

A bit off topic tho: While you are messing with tubes....are you sure your PI tube is fine? Have you tested it? They get worked over pretty hard in big fender amps like yours.
 
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