Tonal difference between 6V6 and 6L6?

[ErikH]

The title says it all, what's the tonal difference between a 6V6 and a 6L6?

I'm mainly an EL34 guy but the latest round of amps that have impressed me are the Mission Aurora's, both the 18 watt (6V6) and the 30 watt (6L6).

Although I did hear them both, I only played through the 18 watt but didn't really pay too much attention to the tube types in each. I was in awe of what I was hearing so the little differences, other than the 30 watter at the show had reverb, weren't something I was paying attention to.

Could someone give a basic explanation of the tonal difference between the two tube types? Thanks.

 

[bungalowbill]

Re: Tonal difference between 6V6 and 6L6?

I always thought 6l6's had a nice pianolike bottom end when clean and 6v6's are a little sweeter sounding with a mushier bottom end. When overdriven 6v6's really sing with a sweet sustainy tone. I like both tubes...in my perfect world I would use a Super Reverb for rythymn and a Deluxe Reverb for single note work.

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Tonal difference between 6V6 and 6L6?

6L6 to me equals balanced if not low mids, hi fi- styled hi's, and big lows - very country / clean. When gained up, they are very modern in tone A LA Soldano.

6V6's always sounded very brown, low gain, nice bluesy break up clean, with a little more 6L6 vibe (while EL84's have an EL34 mojo to them). I always found hi gain 6V6's to be farty in the lows and kinda grainy (not very smooth), but then the Orange Rockerverb 50 came along with 6V6's, so I might have to change my mind.

 

[Robert S.]

Re: Tonal difference between 6V6 and 6L6?

6V6s sound and feel 1/2 way between a 6L6 and an EL34.

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: Tonal difference between 6V6 and 6L6?

I can agree with all of the above posters. The 6V6 being a physically smaller tube than the 6L6 will give up it's headroom sooner. I've always thought of them as the 6L6's Lil' brother.

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Tonal difference between 6V6 and 6L6?

I can agree with all of the above posters. The 6V6 being a physically smaller tube than the 6L6 will give up it's headroom sooner. I've always thought of them as the 6L6's Lil' brother.

Thus, predominantly used in lower wattage amps.

My Fuchs ODS-20 SCREAMS running 2 NOS RCA 6V6GTAs :bigok:

 

[ErikH]

Re: Tonal difference between 6V6 and 6L6?

Good info. Thanks to all who have responded so far.

Robert, insteresting take there. Perhaps that may explain a little why I like the 18 watter so much.

 

[Robert S.]

Re: Tonal difference between 6V6 and 6L6?

Thats the way they were described to me during an a/b/c/d/e deal with one amp and a bunch of different tubes. You even hear it from the guys above. Sounds like a lower watt 6L6 with more mids and squish.........

 

[ErikH]

Re: Tonal difference between 6V6 and 6L6?

Cool. Now, from those that have gigged with amps in the 18-22 watt range, how do they stack up in a band setting? Any issues with keeping up with the rest of the band? I've never gigged with anything less than 50.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Tonal difference between 6V6 and 6L6?

Bump to get answers to last couple questions above.

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Tonal difference between 6V6 and 6L6?

I've never gigged with the Fuchs, but it is friggin' LOUD !!!

I'm running it thru a closed back 4x10 & an open back 4x10, alnicos & ceramics in X patterns in both.

GIGANTIC sound !!!!

The Mesa Boogie Blue Angel actually runs 4 EL84s & 2 6V6s....you can run them separately or together.

I really dug the Simul-link setting. When pushed too far into clip, 6V6’s tend to get flubby and indistinct. EL84’s, conversely, can be thin at times, lacking bass and warmth.

Combining these two allows each tube’s weakness to become a strength when used in tandem. The EL-84s add tightness and attack to the looser 6V6s. In return, the 6V6’s better bass response warms up the EL-84s, giving them breathiness and a more resilient feel.

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Tonal difference between 6V6 and 6L6?

Really? I hated the simul on the Blue Angel

For low volume, jazzy cleans I liked the 6v6. Cranked, the 6v6 was flub, and the EL84 had the mojo. Combined, it was Mojo and Flub. Does that equal Flojo? Mub? Either way, it sucked.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Tonal difference between 6V6 and 6L6?

i've never heard a 6v6 sound flubby

maybe it was just the amp designs?

 

[PUCKBOY99]

Re: Tonal difference between 6V6 and 6L6?

I had a Blue Angel 4x10 & a BA head running thru a 4x10.

Both sounded FANTASTIC !

Now, I've heard the 1x12 & whatever other combos didn't quite have it, but that's more than likely because of the cab & speakers than the amp.

I've got nothing but good to say about one of Mesas best...and discontinued ! :dunno:

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: Tonal difference between 6V6 and 6L6?

Cool. Now, from those that have gigged with amps in the 18-22 watt range, how do they stack up in a band setting? Any issues with keeping up with the rest of the band? I've never gigged with anything less than 50.

My Princeton Reverb (rated at 12 watts) is just loud enough to hang with the Band in a small club. Granted you get it off the floor on a bar stool,And use a Tubescreamer like pedal to boost your Solo's.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Tonal difference between 6V6 and 6L6?

I don't remember the 18 watt Aurora sounding flubby either. Pretty solid sounding amp actually.

If I do end up using it for small club/bar gigs, I'd get an amp stand for it anyway. I've got plenty of OD and boost pedals to throw at it. Heck, my modded DS-1 sounded pretty darn good through it.

Thanks for all the input so far. Please, continue on with anything else that can be helpful, not just to me but to anyone else.

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: Tonal difference between 6V6 and 6L6?

I guess my Falcon is 19w, I find it a little less controllable than having a MV amp in a band situation.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Tonal difference between 6V6 and 6L6?

i have a blue angel 1x12 combo, and with a band it sounds great- never had a problem competing with a drummer, and i wont really tolerate loud stage volume anyway. i love mine in the 6v6 setting and it is really loud, but after about 4 on the volume (which again. is seriously loud), you start to hear that flubby sound. good thing, is right between 3 & 4, it is one of the best amps ive ever played- everything good about tube amps, the 6v6s deliver. it is one of the most touch sensitive amps too, but i dont know if that is by design or the 6v6s- with the el84s it is pretty sensitive too.

 

[ErikH]

Re: Tonal difference between 6V6 and 6L6?

That's nice, TGB. Real nice. The Aurora is a MV amp. It sounds incredible with the MV wide open and using the preamp volume to adjust the overall volume. I was shocked at the clean headroom it has. I think Bruce had 12AY7's in it so that would explain it since that's a lower gain tube.

I've never played a MB Blue Angel. Sounds like a cool amp though with the two tube types in it.

Which Fender uses 6V6's? The Super or the Deluxe?

 

[Corbic]

Re: Tonal difference between 6V6 and 6L6?

The Deluxe uses the 6V6 tubes.