What's the "flavor of the month" with 6L6 tubes?

[Jayson Chance]

I can't believe it, because I just haven't thought about it. But it's been nearly 5 years since I owned an amp with 6L6's.

In '03/'04, everyone was big on the old Svetlana's, SED, some preferred the JJ's...etc.

Just curious what the latest "craze" is with production-type 6L6's.

Sure, I know there's lots of NOS options. but I'm thinking about adding a 6L6 based amp the arsenal in the near future, and am just curious what everyone is digging these days in terms of available, affordable stuff that's durable & sounds good.

JC

[riffmeister]

I like Winged C and Groove Tubes 6L6GE (neither are FOTM, though.....)

[thudle]

+1 on the Winged C

[guitarman_nebr]

i am loving what the Ruby Tubes 6L6's did to my Mesa F-100!!

the stock Mesa's were to harsh..............no more.

[slider313]

For the NOS tone without the price, the new Tung Sol 6L6GC STR's are the bomb.

[gtr777]

I just put some TAD 6l6's in my soldano...They sound killer!

[Aslan]

I really like the Ruby tubes in my Twin Reverb.

[Blue Strat]

SED's (formerly known as Svetlana, AKA "winged C" which is what the logo looks like, NOT the brand name) are the winner for long time track record of reliability and tone. Groove Tubes 6L6GE's are excellent for tone (which is subjective) but have only a short track record.

Tung Sol Reissue 6L6GCs have great tone and a VERY short track record.

TAD's have a good following and a decent reliability record.

[jumpnblues]

NOS first and foremost, followed by new Tungsols and TADs, then SED "winged Cs". A lot of what remains (JJs, EH, Groove Tubes, Ruby Tubes, etc.) can be very good but varies a lot in longevity and consistently good tone. JMHO, YMMV.


Tom

[SQUAREHEAD]

Sylvania STR .

[J.T. Guitar]

I liked the winged C, I want to try the new Tung-Sols... How do they differ from the TADs soundwise?

[Joe Perry]

Mike what would be your choice for just pure pristine blackface tones (~40w)?

[Blue Strat]

Originally Posted by Joe Perry

Mike what would be your choice for just pure pristine blackface tones (~40w)?

GT 6L6GEs.

[sickboy79]

Big fan of the SED/Winged Cs here.

[J.T. Guitar]

Originally Posted by sickboy79

Big fan of the SED/Winged Cs here.

Their EL-34s rock too!