Good 6L6 tube

soupking · 25th October 2007, 06:07 PM

I just received an amp fro UPS that I ordered on eBay. One of the power tubes (I think they're power tubes) was broken.

It's a Bogen Challanger. Really cool lookin' little box.

The amp needs 6L6GA & 6L6GB tubes. The guy had 6L6GC tubes in it so I imagine the last letter doesn't matter.

It's not that big a deal, just a couple of tubes. The amp is fine.

It's just I need to buy a new pair of power tubes. There's a lot of tubes out there. I was wonder which brand would be good for and old vintage Bogen amp.

I'm looking for something clean I guess.

Does anybody have any suggestions?

dewey decibel · 25th October 2007, 10:20 PM

I think a 6l6GC is just a more stout version of a 6l6GA or 6l6GB, so you should be fine. But your going to need to rebias that sucker regardless.

For new tubes you could try the new Groove Tubes 6l6GC which is getting a lot of hype, but they aren't exactly cheap. For something cheaper I can recommend the SED winged Cs. These are both more vintage style tubes, which sounds like what you want. But picking the perfect tubes for an amp depends on a lot, it's like picking out pickups for a guitar. You've really got to know what that guitar sounds like first- it's always a safe bet to go with high quality but some guitars sound best with cheap, crappy pickups.

BTW- with tubes always order from someone with a good return/customer service policy!

soupking · 25th October 2007, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dewey decibel

I think a 6l6GC is just a more stout version of a 6l6GA or 6l6GB, so you should be fine. But your going to need to rebias that sucker regardless.

For new tubes you could try the new Groove Tubes 6l6GC which is getting a lot of hype, but they aren't exactly cheap. For something cheaper I can recommend the SED winged Cs. These are both more vintage style tubes, which sounds like what you want. But picking the perfect tubes for an amp depends on a lot, it's like picking out pickups for a guitar. You've really got to know what that guitar sounds like first- it's always a safe bet to go with high quality but some guitars sound best with cheap, crappy pickups.

BTW- with tubes always order from someone with a good return/customer service policy!

Cool, good to know man. Thanks!

FFTT · 26th October 2007, 04:18 AM

The best built non NOS tubes in a 6L6 or EL34 are the SED Winged C's

The best person to ask about tubes is Mike Kropotkin at KCA NOS Tubes

www.kcanostubes.com

Energie · 26th October 2007, 04:43 AM

I also like the Sed's!!!

hangman · 26th October 2007, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FFTT

The best built non NOS tubes in a 6L6 or EL34 are the SED Winged C's

The best person to ask about tubes is Mike Kropotkin at KCA NOS Tubes

www.kcanostubes.com

I respectfully disagree. the new Tung sol 5881 is pretty killer for alot of applications, amazing in old fenders.

FFTT · 26th October 2007, 04:02 PM

Can't complain about Tung Sols either.

I've just had good luck with the SED's and they are tough enough
to handle my Bad Cat.

I would still talk to Mike.

Great guy and excellent fast service.

soupking · 27th October 2007, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FFTT

Can't complain about Tung Sols either.

I've just had good luck with the SED's and they are tough enough
to handle my Bad Cat.

I would still talk to Mike.

Great guy and excellent fast service.

Thanks FFTT,

i was hoping you'd see my thread.

audible · 29th October 2007, 03:24 PM

Using a 6L6GC with your amp will be fine though you may not get that much distortion if that is your goal with the amp. The Sed Winged C type are a really good tube. I would also check out the old style Sovtek 6L6WGC/5881 with the small wafer base. These can be had for really cheap, and they sound really good and are highly reliable. Another choice would be the later era Philips/Sylvania 6L6WGB/5881 from the late 70's-mid 80's. These are really cool sounding tubes for breakup, but have become a bit expensive in the last few years. I would avoid JJ tubes as they usually sound pretty sterile. I have also heard that the newer Reflector plant made Tung-Sol tubes are pretty good sounding though I have never heard their power tubes.

dewey decibel · 30th October 2007, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FFTT

The best person to ask about tubes is Mike Kropotkin at KCA NOS Tubes

KCA NOS Tubes. Audio tubes for guitar amplifiers and audiophile equipment. 12AX7, 6L6GC, 12ay7, el34, el84, Fender amplifier,5AR4, 5U4GB, cv4004, 6SN7, 8417, 7027, gz34, Mullard, EF86, 6ca7, 6bq5, 7025, 12at7

+1 on Mike....

simonv · 7th November 2007, 04:51 PM

I love Svetlana 6l6gc's personnally

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25th October 2007, 06:07 PM	#1
soupking Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,336	Good 6L6 tube I just received an amp fro UPS that I ordered on eBay. One of the power tubes (I think they're power tubes) was broken. It's a Bogen Challanger. Really cool lookin' little box. The amp needs 6L6GA & 6L6GB tubes. The guy had 6L6GC tubes in it so I imagine the last letter doesn't matter. It's not that big a deal, just a couple of tubes. The amp is fine. It's just I need to buy a new pair of power tubes. There's a lot of tubes out there. I was wonder which brand would be good for and old vintage Bogen amp. I'm looking for something clean I guess. Does anybody have any suggestions? __________________ Anyway, it. Wow, the pee actually lands right on top of the i in 'it'. That's awesome!

26th October 2007, 04:18 AM	#4
FFTT Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: A stoned throw from ground zero Posts: 2,932	The best built non NOS tubes in a 6L6 or EL34 are the SED Winged C's The best person to ask about tubes is Mike Kropotkin at KCA NOS Tubes www.kcanostubes.com __________________ Don't look at me in that tone of voice

26th October 2007, 04:02 PM	#7
FFTT Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: A stoned throw from ground zero Posts: 2,932	Can't complain about Tung Sols either. I've just had good luck with the SED's and they are tough enough to handle my Bad Cat. I would still talk to Mike. Great guy and excellent fast service. __________________ Don't look at me in that tone of voice

7th November 2007, 04:51 PM	#11
simonv Gear addict Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Montreal Posts: 474	I love Svetlana 6l6gc's personnally __________________ -- www.allamps.com www.myspace.com/simonvezina

25th October 2007, 10:20 PM	#2
dewey decibel Gear maniac Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 202	I think a 6l6GC is just a more stout version of a 6l6GA or 6l6GB, so you should be fine. But your going to need to rebias that sucker regardless. For new tubes you could try the new Groove Tubes 6l6GC which is getting a lot of hype, but they aren't exactly cheap. For something cheaper I can recommend the SED winged Cs. These are both more vintage style tubes, which sounds like what you want. But picking the perfect tubes for an amp depends on a lot, it's like picking out pickups for a guitar. You've really got to know what that guitar sounds like first- it's always a safe bet to go with high quality but some guitars sound best with cheap, crappy pickups. BTW- with tubes always order from someone with a good return/customer service policy!

26th October 2007, 04:43 AM	#5
Energie Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 782	I also like the Sed's!!!

29th October 2007, 03:24 PM	#9
audible Gear Head Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 54	Using a 6L6GC with your amp will be fine though you may not get that much distortion if that is your goal with the amp. The Sed Winged C type are a really good tube. I would also check out the old style Sovtek 6L6WGC/5881 with the small wafer base. These can be had for really cheap, and they sound really good and are highly reliable. Another choice would be the later era Philips/Sylvania 6L6WGB/5881 from the late 70's-mid 80's. These are really cool sounding tubes for breakup, but have become a bit expensive in the last few years. I would avoid JJ tubes as they usually sound pretty sterile. I have also heard that the newer Reflector plant made Tung-Sol tubes are pretty good sounding though I have never heard their power tubes.

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