Recomend some 6L6's....

Rotti · #1 03-02-2008, 12:05 PM

It's time for some new tubes for my Fender Super Reverb. Right now it has Sovtek 6L6WXT+ power tubes and EH preamp tubes. The Sovteks were ok. They glow blue and sounded prety good when new but I'd like to try something different. The smoother sounding the better.
Any sugestions?

Lefty Robb · #2 03-02-2008, 02:52 PM

JJ TE-6L6GC are killer tubes, I don't run anything by JJ's any more. GT's are of course really good too. If you can find and want to spend the $$ on it, some Mullard KT66 (6l6 equivalent) are freakin' unreal, but a re-biasing would be in order..

T.B.A. · #3 03-02-2008, 05:23 PM

I've now got a matched set of "Winged C's" in my 900. Yeeha!

Rotti · #4 03-02-2008, 07:34 PM

Thanks I'll check out the JJ's. I'm not willing to pay mega bucks for NOS.

Rotti · #5 03-02-2008, 07:41 PM

The last set I ordered were a matched set. I also have the specs written on the box. The amp was then biased for these tubes.
Could a tube supplier sell me something with close specs and save me a re-biasing? or should I bias anyway?

Lefty Robb · #6 03-02-2008, 09:24 PM

Yeah, you should, especially when changing brands. You always want to get the most out of your amp, and the most mileage out of the tubes.

**jim777** · #7 03-02-2008, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rotti

The last set I ordered were a matched set. I also have the specs written on the box. The amp was then biased for these tubes.
Could a tube supplier sell me something with close specs and save me a re-biasing? or should I bias anyway?

I would think so (save you the re-biasing, that is). If you like the tubes just get them from the same place, and tell them the number on the box. I order from the TubeStore, and the matched sets that are set to "35". They always come the same way, and slap right in without issue.

Lefty Robb · #8 03-03-2008, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim777

I would think so (save you the re-biasing, that is). If you like the tubes just get them from the same place, and tell them the number on the box. I order from the TubeStore, and the matched sets that are set to "35". They always come the same way, and slap right in without issue.

Hmm, thats good to know, I was always told that different manufacturers all have slight variances, enough to re bias your amp to, even if there matched.

losgatosrg350dx · #9 03-04-2008, 01:19 PM

use a jj for the phase inverse stage on that amp
use sovteck for the rest of the pre amps
and u can get away with eh6l6 superbly!!! i use them in almost all my amps, they have a very stable tonal range!!!!
but also origional svetlana are great also
and the new russian made cryogrnic tubes are concidered to be terminators, they last forever and are extra balanced!!!!

Rotti · #10 03-04-2008, 03:46 PM

Thanks for the info. I had already ordered tubes by the time I saw your post though. I ended up ordering....

2 SED SV6L6GC's for the power tubes
2 Tung-Sol 12AX7 (New reproduction tubes)
1 JJ 12AT7 for the phase inverter

I have a bunch of EH, chinese and other 12ax7's kicking around that I can put in the 1st channel of the amp that I don't use and for the tremolo tube and reverb tube.
Theres so much info out there it's hard to decide but this should work out alright.

Quote:

Originally Posted by losgatosrg350dx

use a jj for the phase inverse stage on that amp
use sovteck for the rest of the pre amps
and u can get away with eh6l6 superbly!!! i use them in almost all my amps, they have a very stable tonal range!!!!
but also origional svetlana are great also
and the new russian made cryogrnic tubes are concidered to be terminators, they last forever and are extra balanced!!!!

losgatosrg350dx · #11 03-05-2008, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rotti

Thanks for the info. I had already ordered tubes by the time I saw your post though. I ended up ordering....

2 SED SV6L6GC's for the power tubes
2 Tung-Sol 12AX7 (New reproduction tubes)
1 JJ 12AT7 for the phase inverter

I have a bunch of EH, chinese and other 12ax7's kicking around that I can put in the 1st channel of the amp that I don't use and for the tremolo tube and reverb tube.
Theres so much info out there it's hard to decide but this should work out alright.

even if u dont use a channel, get a low gain clean non microphonic tube to put in that spot

teh reason is becasue a low gain low microphonic will waste less energy ona t ube that u are not using but is still drawing voltage, and make sure its not soo bad, some tubes, just old ones tend to introduce noise as they have mocrophonics wich are still present even if the channel is turned down, i had this issue on an old eavey ultragain 60 head

Rotti · #12 03-05-2008, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by losgatosrg350dx

even if u dont use a channel, get a low gain clean non microphonic tube to put in that spot

teh reason is becasue a low gain low microphonic will waste less energy ona t ube that u are not using but is still drawing voltage, and make sure its not soo bad, some tubes, just old ones tend to introduce noise as they have mocrophonics wich are still present even if the channel is turned down, i had this issue on an old eavey ultragain 60 head

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. I wonder if I could use a 12au7 in there. It's like a 12ax7 but with less power right? I have a new one I could try.