Output tubes for Fender Twin Reverb

apeak · 19th December 2005

Folks, I've been a member for a while but this is my first post. I'm not sure if this is the right forum for my question but I couldn't find a more appropriate one. This is addressed to the Tube Techies who hang out here: I have a friend in Sri Lanka who owns two older Twin Reverbs. He needs 2 sets of 6L6GC tubes (8 tubes in all). I checked with my local Guitar Center and they have matched sets of 4 tubes from Groove Tubes but the model is 6L6C (instead of GC). Would the 6L6C be a direct replacement for the 6L6GC?

stanislaskasava · 20th December 2005

Yes, a 6L6-C will replace the 6L6-GC tubes. "6L6" is the 'family' of the tube and the suffix "C" denotes that the tubes are made in the Shuguang factory in China. Other common suffixes are "R" for the Reflector factory in Russia; "R2" for the St. Petersberg factory in Russia; "S" for the JJ factory in Slovakia (formerly Tesla); "Y" for the Electronska Industri (EI) factory in Serbia, (formerly Yogoslavia); "GE" for USA tubes from Groove Tubes in California.

So your friend can use any 6L6 tubes as they will all fit in the amp and function. Oviously the sound will be different according to the brand of tube used. And it's best to use power tubes that are all the same so there's less to worry about bias mis-matching. By the way, some 6L6 type tubes are designated as "5881" or "KT-66" instead of 6L6 and will also fit in those twin amps.

I don't know from experience but the 6L6-C tube is supposed to have "slightly softer, warmer tone" and is "more 'musical'" (than Russian tubes, I guess) according to my tube reference book.

It seems the only person I found at the Guitar Center (in Clackamas?) who was very familiar with tubes was their guitar repair guy. I can't remember his name but he looks slightly like this picture of Will Ferrell maybe (sans idiot face).

apeak · 20th December 2005

Thanks stanislaskasava. Great information. I live 5 minutes away from the Guitar center in Clackamas and I had checked with Alex in Pro Sound and the guys in Accessories.

I know who you're talking about - The guy who fixes guitars in the back by the guitar display. He really does look like Will Ferrell, doesn't he?

Thanks for your help. I think I'll go with the 6L6C sets.

Tony DeSilva

stanislaskasava · 20th December 2005

I'm glad to help. Yeah that's him... easily in the top 5 all time Clackamas GC employees. "Nalin" (nuh-leen) is pretty knowledgeable in their pro audio department although I might prefer to support Brownell Sound on 82nd when I can. The owner Kurt is helpful (over the phone even!) and none of his employees are the 'swarming used car salesman' type...

apeak · 22nd December 2005

Nalin's my bud. His parents are Sri Lankan (and so am I).

Thanks for all the advice. I need to go in there and place an order for the tubes.

Tony

19th December 2005	#1
apeak Gear Head Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 47 Thread Starter	Output tubes for Fender Twin Reverb Folks, I've been a member for a while but this is my first post. I'm not sure if this is the right forum for my question but I couldn't find a more appropriate one. This is addressed to the Tube Techies who hang out here: I have a friend in Sri Lanka who owns two older Twin Reverbs. He needs 2 sets of 6L6GC tubes (8 tubes in all). I checked with my local Guitar Center and they have matched sets of 4 tubes from Groove Tubes but the model is 6L6C (instead of GC). Would the 6L6C be a direct replacement for the 6L6GC?

20th December 2005	#2
stanislaskasava Gear Head Joined: Nov 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 61	Yes, a 6L6-C will replace the 6L6-GC tubes. "6L6" is the 'family' of the tube and the suffix "C" denotes that the tubes are made in the Shuguang factory in China. Other common suffixes are "R" for the Reflector factory in Russia; "R2" for the St. Petersberg factory in Russia; "S" for the JJ factory in Slovakia (formerly Tesla); "Y" for the Electronska Industri (EI) factory in Serbia, (formerly Yogoslavia); "GE" for USA tubes from Groove Tubes in California. So your friend can use any 6L6 tubes as they will all fit in the amp and function. Oviously the sound will be different according to the brand of tube used. And it's best to use power tubes that are all the same so there's less to worry about bias mis-matching. By the way, some 6L6 type tubes are designated as "5881" or "KT-66" instead of 6L6 and will also fit in those twin amps. I don't know from experience but the 6L6-C tube is supposed to have "slightly softer, warmer tone" and is "more 'musical'" (than Russian tubes, I guess) according to my tube reference book. It seems the only person I found at the Guitar Center (in Clackamas?) who was very familiar with tubes was their guitar repair guy. I can't remember his name but he looks slightly like this picture of Will Ferrell maybe (sans idiot face). Attached Images

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22nd December 2005	#5
apeak Gear Head Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 47 Thread Starter	Nalin's my bud. His parents are Sri Lankan (and so am I). Thanks for all the advice. I need to go in there and place an order for the tubes. Tony