6V6's in Germino Club 40

[mike6m]

Sometime last year, I purchased a pair of NOS Brimar 6V6's from KCANOS Tubes. I finally put them in my Germino Club 40 about a month ago. I have to say at first, I wasn't completely convinced that they were that great. I noticed that I had slightly less headroom, and that the amp sounded good, but I thought the amp sounded better with the winged C Svetlanas that came in the amp (probably why I waited so long to try something new).

I tried the 6V6's out to get a little less volume out of the amp, but I got a pretty strong set of tubes and my amp is still kicking out about 30 watts, so it still isn't a bedroom player.

Now I have spent some time with the 6V6's and had a little time to dial them in, I am very pleased with the results. I can't tell you if the NOS tubes are worth the extra coin in this amp, but don't be afraid to try 6V6's in a Club 40. They really excel at that vintage Marshall honky LP tone. The feel of the amp is fantastic.

[big mike]

Funny how you need to 'live' with some changes....rethink EQ settings, etc.

Sounds like a nice change though. I love a good 6v6 tone myself.

[JDW3]

I've never owned a Germino but the Masonette I've been borrowing has me hooked. I think it's a Club 40 circuit, possibly with smaller transformers and 6v6's.

[59burstbucker]

The Masonette circuit is closer to the LV55, I believe, but they are all very close. I go back and forth between the 6V6 and EL34, depending on mood. Also try some Tung Sol 5881 reissues. They'll be "louder" than a 6V6, but a little smoother than the EL34.

[dewman]

I've used Brimars and they are nice tubes, but I really am very very happy with simple JJ 6V6s in that amp. They have more headroom, so you can run the amp around 2 oclock (fairly saturated) and ride the guitar's volume knob and still be loud enough with nice cleanish cleans at a reasonable volume. The Brimars got dirty very quickly- sounded great if all you want is saturated overdrive at band volumes, but for me the JJs worked great.I go back and forth between those tubes and EL34s, depending on application and cab size. The CLub 40 is a very versatile amp- great cleans, fantastic mid overdrive and great full on singing leads. IN a band setting this volume can be tamed several ways.

[59burstbucker]

Dewman's comment about the JJ's is spot on. I've been using the Tung Sol 6V6, which doesn't have as much headroom as the JJ. Think I need to get some more soon.

[axepilot]

I own a stock Club 40 combo (EL-34's) - and I'm not worried about blowing speakers. The amp is plenty loud with both volumes never going past 12 o'clock (I use a Y cord on the inputs).