6L6 Recomendations

[veldt666]

I need to order a quantity of replacment & spare 6L6's, & I'm prepared to look at current production types, rather than carry on using NOS types, as I have done for some time.
I have tried some Sovtek 6L6GB's & EH6L6's, but didn't think they were that great.

Can anyone please advise on the latest current production offerings?

[shane]

I've had good luck with svetlana 6l6's. I have used them in my super and I thought they sounded just as good as the rca's. I hear good things about the groove tube american 6l6 though I haven't heard them.

[VaughnC]

While no 6L6's I've played sound better than RCA blackplates, the Svetlana 6L6's I've tried are a pretty good bang for the buck to my ears. I haven't yet heard the new GT 6L6GE's but most reports are favorable.....they are built using the original GE machines.

[Jon Silberman]

Different strokes for different folks. I like the EHs in my Hellhound. I also like the JJs in the Bandmaster Clone. I tried Svets in my Hellhound and also my Blues Deluxe before Pete Cage gutted and rewired it as the Bandmaster clone, didn't like them in either amp.

[Blue Strat]

I've had great luck with SEDs (the new name for the REAL Svetlana tubes) with hundreds of customers. These sound very close to GE 6L6GCs.

[Wakarusa]

If you're on a budget the Shuguang 6L6GC is tough to beat, though there's some question as to how much abuse they'll take. I've installed quite a few sets in Fenders with overall positive results. They did not survive in a Peavey Vintage II (525V on the plates), but seemed to do fine in a MusicMan RD-50 at a whopping 700V -- but keep in mind that the RD-50 is a grounded grid design operating pretty much class B with idle dissipation around 6 watts.

I'm also quite pleased with the sound of the new Svetlana (S-logo Reflektor production) 6L6 -- running a set in a '67 Bassman at the moment. Much better and different IMHO than the old Svet S-logo tubes that I always found kinda dark and lifeless. No idea about life/durability with this tube tho'

Finally, there's been pretty good buzz about the 6L6 from JJ, but I haven't had a chance to test a set myself. Also haven't had a chance to try the GT 6L6GE, but can say that the generic Chinese 6L6 from GT is to be avoided. I've seen JCM900s eat these like they were candy.

[Jon C]

I prefer the Svetlanas (now SED, all mine are a few yrs. old) and the JJs of current stock.

JC

[veldt666]

Great Info guy's, keep it coming.
Iv'e been recomended some "TAD" 6L6GC tubes from Germany. I have a set on order, I'll post on how they perform soon.

Thanks again.