Tung Sol 5881 RI vs. Ruby Tubes 6L6GC STR

[jaxonmills]

I'm taking the JJ E34L tubes out of my Carvin MTS 3200 and going with a 6L6 type tube. I've heard people say that the MTS 3200 is supposed to be a high gain amp, but I have trouble getting any kind of a ballsy distortion out of it. For high gain, I prefer rectified sounds anyway which isnt going to happen with the MTS. So Im hoping that with the 6L6 type tubes I can at least get a nice, warm sounding bluesy overdrive. I'm on a budget, would rather not pay for NOS tubes, and I'm new to the whole tube thing also.

Ive narrowed it down to two choices: Tung Sol 5881 RI and Ruby Tubes 6L6GC STR. I've seen mostly positive feedback on both from the research I've done. I was hoping someone with experience with either/both of these tubes could give me some feedback into which they prefer, differences in tone and output, breakup character, etc.

Im also planning on replacing the JJ 12ax7a preamp tubes with tung sol 12ax7's unless someone convincingly objects.

Any input is greatly appreciated. I dont know shit about tubes.

[Blue Strat]

I'm not familiar with that amp. Does the manufacturer say that 6L6s are ok and is there a way to bias the amp for 6L6s? You will ABSOLUTELY need to rebias.

You're not likely to get more overdrive out of 6L6 tubes than EL34s.

Tung Sol Reissue 12AX7s are definitely a step up from the JJs.

[jaxonmills]

the amp has a two way switch for biasing, 6L6 and 5881 are on one side of the switch, EL34 is on the other. I understand that I wont get MORE overdrive with 6L6's, but rather I'll be trying for a more pure overdrive sound than high gain distortion. So do you think I should go with the 5881s or the 6L6s?

[Blue Strat]

Originally Posted by jaxonmills

the amp has a two way switch for biasing, 6L6 and 5881 are on one side of the switch, EL34 is on the other. I understand that I wont get MORE overdrive with 6L6's, but rather I'll be trying for a more pure overdrive sound than high gain distortion. So do you think I should go with the 5881s or the 6L6s?

For more power amp overdrive? 5881s...probably the Tung Sol Reissues.

[Swarty]

Originally Posted by Blue Strat

For more power amp overdrive? 5881s...probably the Tung Sol Reissues.

Agreed, the Ruby 6L6GC STR is a Chinese take on a big bottle Sylvania that does not give it up easy. And for just a few dollars more Mike can probably set you up with the NOS JAN Phillips WGB variety.