What is it about 6V6 tone?

[Unabender]

Originally Posted by GoofyDawg

I don't like EL84 breakup that much - way too compressed for my liking.

It's because EL84 power amps are ofter cathode biased, which makes them more compressed. If you set them up like a regular fixed bias power amp, there's no extra compression.

[BatChainPuller]

What are some choices for 6v6 amps? Most of the lower wattage stuff seems to have EL84s. Anything out there run well under $1k used?

[bandmaster]

I love old Fenders with 6V6s. My favorite Tweed is my '56 Tremolux. I do like 6L6 as well, but prefer the sound of the 6V6s.

[GoofyDawg]

Originally Posted by BatChainPuller

What are some choices for 6v6 amps? Most of the lower wattage stuff seems to have EL84s. Anything out there run well under $1k used?

I "discovered" my tone with my Aracom VRX22 ($895 - head), but there are some other great amps out there priced well under a grand based on this tube. Off the top of my head:

Marshall Haze MHZ15 - $599 (very nice-sounding amp)
ValveTrain 205 - $749
Fender Champ 600 - $149 (unbelievable price - great 5W practice amp)

Despite my love for 6V6 amps, as of late, I've also taken a huge liking to Reason's new Bambino, which is an 8/2 Watt amp, that's based on an old 6AQ5 power tube. It has a very 6V6-like response. Not sure if they're still running the special, but you can get it direct for $699 (the special knocks off $50). http://www.thegearpage.net/board/sho....php?p=6684109. Contact Anthony. He may still give you the deal. I've been recording and gigging with this amp - the balanced line out is incredible! I just set my stage volume then go straight into my PA board with it!

[coreybox]

The 6v6 is only second to the mightly kt66.

I don't dig el84s at all. Sound OK clean, but ratty and unpleasant driven hard. In my experience at least.

[doublescale1]

I totally love my Carr Slant 6V for it's monster cleans and the OD channel brings the mail too.

[tommytomcat]

Are Blues Jr's cathode biased? I've played bunches of them at bues jams, and every guitar sounds the same through one... midrange squash.. blaaaaa

I'm with you on 6V6's! However, the Tung Sol 5881 reissues have a 6v6 vibe that I really dig.

What is is about that 6v6 tone? Personally, I think the bigger plate 6L6 is a little bass heavy and the highs aren't quite as pronounced. Bigger OT iron probably has a lot to do with that. Also, I don't know about everyone else.. but how many gigs are there where anyone really needs to be cranking two 6L6's into the sweet spot these days? The 6V6 loaded amp is much more practical in todays gigging world.

[Jon Silberman]

I'm the odd man out. I prefer the clarity, cut, and robustness of 6L6s. I'm still on the fence but seriously considering selling my one 6V6 amp.

[kevin hart]

I've been using a Divided by 13 9/15 amp for the last 4 or 5 years.
The 9/15 has both 6v6's and el84's.
At first I only used the 6v6's, but I've grown to like both.
Sometimes in a live situation one may work better than the other depending on what the venue sounds like. Other times I switch depending on the sound I'm looking for.

[Austinrocks]

Originally Posted by BatChainPuller

What are some choices for 6v6 amps? Most of the lower wattage stuff seems to have EL84s. Anything out there run well under $1k used?

several under $1K used,

with JJs 6v6S will replace alot of 6L6s, the plate voltage is 500 volts, I have them in my hot rod deluxe, my marshall studio 15 had 6v6s as well, so you might check those out.

http://www.eurotubes.com/

Really love the sweet bubbly tone of the 6v6s when playing single coils, my humbuckers are split coils for this reason. currently my two favorite amps are running 6v6s, my omega modded hot rod deluxe and mesa mark iv.

[pjrhd28]

Originally Posted by coreybox

The 6v6 is only second to the mightly kt66.

I don't dig el84s at all. Sound OK clean, but ratty and unpleasant driven hard. In my experience at least.

Yep.

[Tonic Amps]

Originally Posted by GoofyDawg

I "discovered" my tone with my Aracom VRX22 ($895 - head), but there are some other great amps out there priced well under a grand based on this tube. Off the top of my head:

Marshall Haze MHZ15 - $599 (very nice-sounding amp)
ValveTrain 205 - $749
Fender Champ 600 - $149 (unbelievable price - great 5W practice amp)

Despite my love for 6V6 amps, as of late, I've also taken a huge liking to Reason's new Bambino, which is an 8/2 Watt amp, that's based on an old 6AQ5 power tube. It has a very 6V6-like response. Not sure if they're still running the special, but you can get it direct for $699 (the special knocks off $50). http://www.thegearpage.net/board/sho....php?p=6684109. Contact Anthony. He may still give you the deal. I've been recording and gigging with this amp - the balanced line out is incredible! I just set my stage volume then go straight into my PA board with it!

Hey Dawg,

The 6AQ5 is basically 7 pin version of a 6V6, hence the 6V6 tonal qualities.

6V6s are one of my favorite power tubes. Super versatile and a thicker alternative to using EL84s.

Also, just because an amp is cathode biased doesn't mean it will get super compressed when driven hard. There is more to it than that.

[radiohead]

Originally Posted by BatChainPuller

What are some choices for 6v6 amps? Most of the lower wattage stuff seems to have EL84s. Anything out there run well under $1k used?

Egnater Rebel 30.. great amp. got mine for $720 and you can have both 6V6 & EL84 in one amp!

[pedalcr8z]

How about new instead........Swart

Originally Posted by BatChainPuller

What are some choices for 6v6 amps? Most of the lower wattage stuff seems to have EL84s. Anything out there run well under $1k used?

[TDJMB]

I had an Alessandro English with EL84s and couldn't get comfortable with them. I got a Black 'n Tan and put KT66s in it and that's the one for me. The Bruno CT22 with 6V6s is a close second.