My last two rca black plate 6l6 finally have had it.

RIP

 

At least you had those 20 years together!

- Thom

 

I have some RCA blackplates I've been saving for years. But now I ask myself... why am I saving them? They should be heard!

 

Twelve in 20 years- you must play a lot!

 

Yeah, mine last for years...gigging every weekend too. Maybe because I run it clean, not past 4 or so on the dial?

 

I have a pair I've been using for about 8 years. I have one back up set, but I also have have some Winged C's which also sound pretty good. I gig most weekends.

 

12 in 20 years doesn't seem very good to me. The big selling point of NOS, if you listen to the NOS sellers is the longevity. I have to say, I used to run RCAs (preamp tubes) in my Twin Reverb Re-issues and I had more microphonic issues with them than I did with current production. They did sound good, however. I used the 7025 and 12AT7 (reverb) in conjunction with Svetlana (before they were called SED) power tubes. Again, sounded great, but my experience did not support the "better quality" claims.

 

Same with speakers, imo. That cone material is not everlasting. I am always amazed when people try to sell a 30 year old speaker that's never been reconed, for more money than a new one.

 

Makes sense. That's probably why my amp's usually on 4 now rather than 3 like a few years ago.

 

That's a pair every 3.5 years approximately...I don't think that's too bad for power tubes. Also I have a pair that came with my Vibrolux Reverb that were original, and even though they're probably around 30 years old and worn out they still sound better than SOME current production tubes do imho, fwiw.

 

That's why I said some...I have tried Electro-Harmonix 6l6's (admittedly not even close to the best current 6l6's), and they didn't sound as good as the worn out RCA's, but now I just have a pair Philips 6l6wgb's so I really have no need for another pair of tubes.

 

Current production tubes will do that. The NOS guys always preach how NOS is a superior tube. My experience, which is the only one that matters to me, lol, is that simply isn't the case. And, it doesn't appear the OP is experiencing superior (quality) either. Like I said, I did like the tone of the RCAs in my Twins; better than the stock tubes. But again, I didn't experience them being better quality. I actually had more problems with them.