Time for some new power tubes for my 6505+

[TSE]

I'm between either getting another JJ 6L6GC set, New Sensor Svetlana 6L6GC, or Tung Sol 7581. I like low mid and tight bass with emphasis on clarity. I'm not into a lot of treble, I like balance and head room with a lot of punch. Also, I don't want to spend more than the 7581s cost. I don't like anything Chinese and I can't afford =C= or NOS. I'm also throwing around the idea of Sovtek WXT+ and EH 6l6. Can someone explain the differences between the above mentioned tubes and which ones would come close to what I need. I'm used to JJs so that's kind of my reference point.

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Time for some new power tubes for my 6505+

I'm just answering since no one else has. I think the WXT+ and the EH are the same thing, or really similar. I haven't used the NS Svets or the TS 7581, so I can't comment. The 7581 interests me too though, be nice if there was more info/commentary on them somewhere.

The TAD 6L6GC STR and Ruby M-STR are both good tubes, I wouldn't automatically knock them because they're Chinese. I'd take either over JJ's.

 

[TSE]

Re: Time for some new power tubes for my 6505+

I never had luck with Chinese tubes. They die fast and just sound funky to me. Never tried TAD tho, just ruby. Not a fan. I like the jj sound with its abundant low mid and chopped treble. I just want to try something else. The Tung Sol has my attention not sure if I want to spend that much though. It would have to be really good. Doesn't seem to be much out there that can match or beat jj power tubes for what I'm looking. Punchy, clear, tight, and aggressive.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Time for some new power tubes for my 6505+

I felt the same way as you about Chinese tubes. I had this prejudice against them, because they were made in China. But I kept hearing people on here talk about them, so I went ahead and ordered a high-gain preamp tube, and it has totally changed my mind. I wouldn't write them off just because of where they come from. Whoever screens or rebrands the tubes--Ruby in my case--will make sure the one you get is worth what you pay.

 

[Toe-Knee]

Re: Time for some new power tubes for my 6505+

for what its worth the Tungsol 6l6gc STR is an excellent valve.

 

[TSE]

Re: Time for some new power tubes for my 6505+

Its not the country of origin, its my experience with the Ruby 6l6, grove tubes 12ax7c, silver dragon ax7s, and the recent ruby 12ax7hg series. I understand having a dud now and then, a tube going microphonic now and then, but I have about 30% of the Chinese tubes I purchased still functioning. They sound ok, but I have better luck with JJs, Sovtek LPS, NS Mullards, and of course Tung Sol preamp tubes with JJs in the power section of all my amps. The TS 7581 and 6L6GC-STR certainly have my attention though. I think from what I'm reading on other forums the STR is more suited to the fender bassman sound and I'm not too sure if they would be tight enough or have the head room I'm looking forin my 6505+. Any feedback based on experience on these would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Toe-Knee]

Re: Time for some new power tubes for my 6505+

Its not the country of origin, its my experience with the Ruby 6l6, grove tubes 12ax7c, silver dragon ax7s, and the recent ruby 12ax7hg series. I understand having a dud now and then, a tube going microphonic now and then, but I have about 30% of the Chinese tubes I purchased still functioning. They sound ok, but I have better luck with JJs, Sovtek LPS, NS Mullards, and of course Tung Sol preamp tubes with JJs in the power section of all my amps. The TS 7581 and 6L6GC-STR certainly have my attention though. I think from what I'm reading on other forums the STR is more suited to the fender bassman sound and I'm not too sure if they would be tight enough or have the head room I'm looking forin my 6505+. Any feedback based on experience on these would be greatly appreciated.

The TS 6l6gc is tighter than the JJ 6l6gc in my experience. I personally love JJ valves but i never got on with the 6l6gc. Well i never got on with 6l6 period i was always an JJ E34L user until i came across the tungsol 6l6GC.

One thing to keep in mind though is that it is a bit brighter than the JJ 6l6GC. You shouldn't really have any headroom issues either.

If i still have the noisy set of JJ 6l6 kicking about ill do some reamping with them and the tungsols for you in my SLO clone tonight.

 

[TSE]

Re: Time for some new power tubes for my 6505+

Holy **** dood that would be amazing! Really cool of you.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Time for some new power tubes for my 6505+

I would tell you to spend the money and get the Winged C 6L6. They have been great in my Mesa amps.

Bill

 

[TSE]

Re: Time for some new power tubes for my 6505+

Is there a huge difference between the SED =C= and the NS Svetlana version? I also see people on other forums stating the striking similarities between the SED and TS STR. That's just a huge price jump for me and right now I can't justify why I would do that considering the other options. It would have to be a huge, drastic improvement in all criteria. I.e. tone, harmonic content, noise, power, etc.

 

[Toe-Knee]

Re: Time for some new power tubes for my 6505+

What kind of music are you playing by the way? If it's metal i would pass over the =C= in my experience they arent tight enough and have a somewhat rounded sound thats quite soft.

I didn't get chance to do any reamping today but i'll hopefully get to it tomorrow.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Time for some new power tubes for my 6505+

In my experience, the Winged Cs are worth the money, especially compared to the Electro-Harmonix branded 6L6 and EL34 tubes I've used. Sounded better, less noise, zero microphonics--and that's in the high powered Mesa Mark III/IV Series combos, an environment that can be hard on power tubes. Definitely tighter, stronger bass in my Mark III head when I switched to the Winged C from the GT 6L6s I was using.

BTW, the Mesa branded tubes offer a 6-month warranty where others only offer 90 days. You might consider those as an option.

Good luck!

Bill

 

[LatsMcGee]

Re: Time for some new power tubes for my 6505+

Maybe a silly question here but are talking the 6505+ combo or the head? I got a better tone out of my combo by swapping the speaker than with changing the tubes....I pulled the stock speaker and put a black shadow in there.... I did put in some ruby 6l6s too....the speaker change really gave me what I wanted from the amp....

 

[TSE]

Re: Time for some new power tubes for my 6505+

It's the head version. I run it through Ear Candy BuzzBomb 2x12 loaded with Emi Governor and Wizard combo.

 

[TSE]

Re: Time for some new power tubes for my 6505+

^ By combo I mean combination of speakers in my 2x12 cab lol

 

[trevorus]

Re: Time for some new power tubes for my 6505+

If you can source some 7581a's, they are supposed to have better headroom than a 6L6GC. They also draw the same heater current so you won't be overtaxing your power supply.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Toe-Knee]

Re: Time for some new power tubes for my 6505+

Right i'm sorry this took longer than i originally said.

For the sake of consistency i set everything on the amp to noon apart from the depth i set on zero.

Nothing changed at all between the reamps other than the valves.

Tungsol 6L6GC STR

JJ 6L6GC

And just for good measure

Tungsol 6L6GC (Left) JJ 6L6GC (Right)

Both sets of valves were biased the same @42mv no mixing done other than panning

 

[TSE]

Re: Time for some new power tubes for my 6505+

Thank you so much for doing that, truly appreciated. This really helped me narrow it down. From the samples, the TS 6L6GC STR was more clear and less compressed with better balance overall. Even though the JJ does have a certain low mid aggressive character to it, the TS stands out more to me. Great playing and thanks again

 

[TSE]

Re: Time for some new power tubes for my 6505+

Where did you purchase the TS tubes? I know what I want for my burfday now lol

 

[Toe-Knee]

Re: Time for some new power tubes for my 6505+

Thank you so much for doing that, truly appreciated. This really helped me narrow it down. From the samples, the TS 6L6GC STR was more clear and less compressed with better balance overall. Even though the JJ does have a certain low mid aggressive character to it, the TS stands out more to me. Great playing and thanks again

I cant take credit for the playing i just reamped lasse lamerts DI tracks from youtube.

And no need to thank me. Its been quite interesting as i noticed whilst doing it that both pairs of valves pull exactly the same amount of current so tried one TS & one JJ in the amp and it sounds incredible.

I agree with your observations regarding the differences between the valves that low mid aggression is something i always miss whenever i use valves other than JJs.

One thing to keep in mind though is that the TS can get quite bright if you have the entire preamp loaded with bright valves such as the TS 12ax7 or the EHX 12ax7