| What would be your vintage power tube of choice? |
| Philips 6L6 GC |
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6% |
[ 1 ] |
| Philips 7581A |
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25% |
[ 4 ] |
| RCA Black Plates 6L6 GC |
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43% |
[ 7 ] |
| Sylvania 6L6 GC |
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18% |
[ 3 ] |
| General Electric 6L6 GC |
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6% |
[ 1 ] |
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| Total Votes : 16 |
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| Author |
Topic: Vintage power tube discussion |
James Morehead
From:
Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 24 Apr 2009 8:03 am |
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Here are some pretty popular vintage power tubes. HThinking "clean" for steel guitar, how would you rate them for desirability? What's the "holy Grail" in your estimation? If your favorite vintage tube is not mentioned here, what would it be?
There are two styles of RCA's here--one has a single "halo", and the other has a double halo. What would be the subtle difference between them, performance wise?
Also, some of these tubes look like they came out of the same factory, anyone have some info on that? |
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Eric Philippsen
From:
Central Florida USA
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Posted 24 Apr 2009 9:45 am
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Wow, tough poll.
All the tubes listed are very nice. In a way, the poll is kind of like asking whether one thinks a Tele or Strat is better or whether one great steel player is better than another. The answer is, of course, neither. They're all great and it just comes down to a matter of personal preference. I like the GE's and any Mullard. |
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John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
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Posted 24 Apr 2009 11:07 am
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| It is a tough poll. Left out my favorite, Mullard EL-37, but they're durned near impossible to find, and awfully expensive. |
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Tim Whitlock
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 24 Apr 2009 2:05 pm
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| I agree - my answer would be all of the above. Since I can't usually afford NOS tubes, I would also be interested in a poll of tubes that are currently manufactured, that might provide steel-friendly performance at an affordable price. But I don't want to hijack this thread - I'll start anew one. |
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Ron Randall
From:
Dallas, Texas, USA
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Posted 24 Apr 2009 10:12 pm
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You left out the best one for me
6L6 GC WC ("winged C") has a logo C with wings on it. |
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Ray DeVoe
From:
Hudson, FL
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Posted 25 Apr 2009 4:57 am tubes
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Hey James.
I dont know enough about "old tubes" that would add anything to this topic. The ones in the Vibrosonic that I purchased from you are top shelf "sound wise".
As you are aware, I am in the process of restoring a second identical Vibrosonic which will probably end up as a head cabinet type of unit.
I ended up taking the amp chassis up to a very reputed shop just south of Nashville as one of the caps was bulged out a little and starting to leak.
I am also having 4 new Wing C 6L6 power tubes installed. I should be able to report back on how they sound. This was the recommendation of the shop. They felt that the Wing C would outperform the JJ's in the 135 watt amp. They were working on several twin reverb chassis's while I was there. Tube amps are their thing, and they seem to know their stuff. This is my first "try out" for this shop.
Dont fret !! I kept the old tubes  I just felt pretty uncomfortable working an amp with mismatched power tubes in which several had broken socket keyways. Im sure it needed re biasing anyway as the amp never had any work performed.
I am going to start another thread on here asking about "blackfacing" and how does it apply to steel amps.
Good luck with your new project.
Im sure it will sound great when you are done with it.
Ray D
_________________
Zum SD 10 Hybrid, Zum D 10 Hybrid, Emmons SD 10 P.P.
SMS: Revelation & Classic Preamps: Furlong 12" Splits.
Webb 15" Splits: Telonics 500 C: Quilter-T.T.12": |
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James Morehead
From:
Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 25 Apr 2009 9:35 am
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Hey Ray, just send them old tubes to me--I know how to properly dispose of them!!  |
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Tony Glassman
From:
The Great Northwest
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Posted 25 Apr 2009 10:50 am
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| what about EL-34 x 4? |
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James Morehead
From:
Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 25 Apr 2009 11:15 am
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| Tony Glassman wrote: |
| what about EL-34 x 4? |
Uhhmm, don't think that is a brand, is it? |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 25 Apr 2009 4:51 pm
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| Quote: |
| There are two styles of RCA's here--one has a single "halo", and the other has a double halo. What would be the subtle difference between them, performance wise? |
The "halo" you speak of (which is actually the "getter") really has no operating function. It's there to assist with getting rid of the last amount of air in the vacuum tube during the manufacturing process. As to which tube sounds best, it really depends on what kind of sound you're looking for. Different tubes will sound different in certain amps, and characteristic terms like "hard", "soft", "bright", "pure", "clean", "warm", "brittle", and "thick" may not be consistent from one player to the other.
You can make generalized statements about tube brands and types, but the only true way to tell how a tube brand/type will sound in your amp is to try them out (or know someone who has). Biasing, drive, and plate voltage (which differ greatly among different types of amps) can have large effects on how a tube sounds, so a tube which sounds warm and thick in one amp may sound far more neutral in another. |
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James Morehead
From:
Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 25 Apr 2009 6:53 pm
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| Thanx Donny, I always wondered that about those haloes(getter's). |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 25 Apr 2009 7:11 pm
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Another excellent sounding and overlooked tube is the Japanese "Realistic Lifetime" 6L6GC. It is a short bottle tube. Great sound and longevity.
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