Best 6L6 valves for the money?

WillEdmunds

Ok, need some new valves for the Rambler. Don't want to spend the earth but I definitely want some that don;t rattle like all the JJs I've used. I'm thinking probably Groove Tubes, although I'm confused between the 6L6-CHP and the 6L6-RD. Anyone know the difference between these two? Thanks.

jpfamps

I work in a Fender dealer. Fender own GT and so all Fender amps come with GT valves now, and thus I have good handle on reliability rates for GT valves.

Groove Tubes (generally; they do have some valves made exclusively for them, eg the 6L6-GE which I would avoid) rebrand other valves, and you pay extra for this.

Groove Tubes 6L6-CHP is a Chinese 6L6 that I tend to avoid. 

The GT 6L6 RD seems to be a rebranded EH / Sovtek offering, which is the most robust 6L6 out there., but can be bought cheaper elsewhere.

Here for example:

http://www.karltone.co.uk/electro-harmonix-6l6-90-p.asp

webrthomson

I like these, they are not cheap though:

https://www.watfordvalves.com/product_detail.asp?id=1313

I've got older GT's (GT-6L6B) which I like and seem pretty robust - I think they are Sovtek 5881WXT

or at Karltone here:

http://www.karltone.co.uk/sovtek-5881-wxt-466-p.asp

Sassafras

Karltone @karltone ;

Mickeyji

I've put Sovteks in a few amps and they've served me well without breaking the bank.

crunchman

Depends on the amp.

I had one amp that sounded a lot better with the Phillips valves that @webrthomson linked to from Watford Valves but I've got another amp that I prefer the sound of with the Sovtek 5881WXT..

Those Phillips valves were a lot cheaper 10 or 12 years ago though.  They aren't a 6L6GC though so might not be good in an amp with a really high plate voltage.  I don't know what the plate voltage is in the  Rambler.

Ossyrocks

I had a set of Groove Tubes 6L6 GE's in my Victoria 35210 (Super), they had a strange overtone present when driven, like a ghost note. In an effort to trace the problem, I bought a set of cheap JJ's to try, and they have been great. Generally a more pleasing tone than the GT's too. I was surprised. 

Rob

Chester

I've used NOS as well as current power glass in the past, but now stick to current production. And I've tried GT's which were OK, but costly for a re-brand. For 6L6, I currently like TAD GC - STR Premium Select, or Tung Sol GC - STR's. Both sound good, are reliable and good value. Choice depends on the amp hey are destined for. I have no experience of Carr's so cannot comment on suitability, but my Carol Ann's prefer Chinese glass, my TR likes Russian

I am very happy with JJ EL34's though, which I run in my Matchless Indy and Redplate Aurora 34. No rattle or unwanted noise from either, and never had an issue 

Ossyrocks

Another interesting point, most well known gigging musicians, many of whom have a world renowned tone, use modern production valves. Joe Bonamassa runs all JJ's in the power sections of his tweeds, and I have heard that Robben Ford runs JJ's too.

Rob

exocet

crunchman said:

Depends on the amp.

I had one amp that sounded a lot better with the Phillips valves that @webrthomson linked to from Watford Valves but I've got another amp that I prefer the sound of with the Sovtek 5881WXT..

Those Phillips valves were a lot cheaper 10 or 12 years ago though.  They aren't a 6L6GC though so might not be good in an amp with a really high plate voltage.  I don't know what the plate voltage is in the  Rambler.

I run the JAN Philips 6L6WGB in my Ceriatone Dumble clone, the Anode Voltage is around 470v, they handle  that without any issues.

You can find those valves via other sellers on eBay, I've bought from Colomore and another (both are UK based valve specialists) 

They were also available under different brands - I have a quartet that were badged as Siemens.

Look at this on eBay  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/260797400175
 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/260866814062

webrthomson

crunchman said:

Depends on the amp.

That is very true - I tend to run both of those in Mesa's and they both sound good in a different way!

Ossyrocks said:

Another interesting point, most well known gigging musicians, many of whom have a world renowned tone, use modern production valves. Joe Bonamassa runs all JJ's in the power sections of his tweeds, and I have heard that Robben Ford runs JJ's too.

Rob

Don't disagree I've got some JJ's too and they seem pretty solid for a new tube, I did have some issues with the EL34's for a bit but I moved onto KT77 instead and they are solid. I actually like the JJ 12AX7's and they get a lot of flack, I don't think they are that bad

Pete24v

My Carol Ann came with EH 6L6's, after a year and a half I changed them fro JJ's.. One failed after 3 weeks, so another set of JJ's went in, and are still in over a year later.. Sounds great! 

In my fenders (Dual Showman Reverb & Rivera Concert) I use TAD 6L6WGC-STR after a tech put them in. They sound really nice to my ears. 

Have a set waiting to go in the Carol Ann next year. 

fretfinder

WillEdmunds said:

Ok, need some new valves for the Rambler. Don't want to spend the earth but I definitely want some that don;t rattle like all the JJs I've used. I'm thinking probably Groove Tubes, although I'm confused between the 6L6-CHP and the 6L6-RD. Anyone know the difference between these two? Thanks.

I replaced the TADs in my Rambler with JJs and was delighted at first, much more headroom and louder. Then one of them went microphonic and needed replacing. Now another one has gone the same way, and that's within six months of buying them new and with very little usage. Don't know if I've just been unlucky or if JJs are just very unreliable. 

Chester

Pete24v said:

My Carol Ann came with EH 6L6's, after a year and a half I changed them fro JJ's.. One failed after 3 weeks, so another set of JJ's went in, and are still in over a year later.. Sounds great! 

In my fenders (Dual Showman Reverb & Rivera Concert) I use TAD 6L6WGC-STR after a tech put them in. They sound really nice to my ears. 

Have a set waiting to go in the Carol Ann next year. 

I like TADs in Carol Anns, and Alan recommends them as replacements for most of his models. Chinese valve reliability has come a long way in the last 10 years, and the in house testing TAD does seems to weed out the crap