6V6s? new or NOS?

[Ocelot]

Will changing to NOS power tubes have a significant affect on an amp's tone? Or is it really all in the preamp tube?

[Last Nerve]

Also, IMO, it depends on the amp.
I've found big differences in some amps, and little to none in others.

[JiveJust]

I think it may depend on the amp. If it's a vintage amp that was designed for that specific NOS tube back in the day I'd say go for it. If not you might try some new production models.

For me personally experimenting with the preamp tubes made a very big difference - switching between RCA, Telefunken, Phillips Ecc/12ax type preamp tubes. Putting in new power tubes gave me my dynamics and headroom back and made me fall in love with the amp/s all over again.

[Ocelot]

I have a 1966 Deluxe Reverb. I'm thinking of some RCA blackplates, but they ain't cheap. It has JJs now .

[riffmeister]

JJs are a unique 6V6. Switching to just about anything else will create a noticeable difference.

[Austinrocks]

had a marshall studio 15 which came with 6v6s, replace 6L6s with 6v6s in a couple of amps, mesa mark iv, and fender hot rod deluxe using JJs 6v6s which handle the higher plate voltages, the effect on the clean tone was evident when I changed the tubes on the mark iv and hot rod, the overdrive tones pretty much remained the same, though I do prefere them to the tones running 6L6, I can hear EL-84s and EL-34s as well even if they are not heavily overdriven they have certain tones. The 6V6s do reduce the power by half, so its easier to overdrive them especially in the hot rod deluxe which is now a 20 watt amp, the mark iv has the signature tones even though its a 40 watt amp now.

as far as NOS tend to avoid those since they are pretty hard to get, and not necessarily worth the price.

[dk123123dk]

I really like the JJ6v6s for new production. Its almost a 6v6/6L6 hybrid. Its got a very full sound for a 6v6. If you can find or afford NOS I would go for it.

dk