Groove Tube 6L6-GE

[Structo]

According to Aspen Pittman his 6L6-GE tube is from his own factory consisting of the original machines that GE used along with the original GE plate materials and mica spacers.

Just curious if anyone has tried these and their thoughts?
Hype or no hype?

They are about twice the cost of Russian tubes at around $55 for a matched pair.
Still if they are good and last a long time they would be worth it.

[Structo]

Huh, nobody has tried them?

[tubeman]

I have them in my Vibroverb. Also have a pair of GE 6L6's. I cant tell much difference between them. I would say the GE's are lilttle warmer, but imho the Groove Tubes are a good deal.

[mlp-mx6]

I like 'em. Good strong 6L6 tone.

[Lonely Raven]

Interesting, I seem to remember people bashing those GT...well, most GT made tubes. Now after hearing about the 12AX7M, and Glen saying he likes the EL34M in his TW, I'm starting to wonder if GT got their stuff together and started making some real tubes.

[skyboltone]

Rumor: Reliability issues.

[Structo]

I think this is the only tube GT "makes".
All the rest are relabeled.

I wonder what happened to all the machinery that was used to make tubes?
I think I read that there were 100 or more manufacturers in the US during the heyday.

I read one review where a guy compared the GT-GE to a pair of 1960 GE 6L6GC's and he thought the GT's were fuller, warmer.
Don't know if that is a fair comparison since the new GT GE's are more similar to the last production of them which was around 1980.

One reviewer said he has run them at 105% 24/7 for 6,700 hours with a drop of 3-4 ma in that time.
This was in Pittmans TAB so, take that for what it's worth.

[dartanion]

I'm not sure GT has a factory of their own. I would suspect that they may have been able to buy components or have them manufactured to the original specs at one of the existing plants in Russia, CR, China, etc. I'm not even sure that some of the materials used in the original tubes is even legal anymore because of their environmental impact. Thus, these would have to be manufactured where the Env. Standards are more lax.

[Tubetwang]

i got a pair when they came out...ordered # 7 matched...for my then super reverb...huh...er...but sat on one...

Will have to build a champ for the remaining one

[Structo]

I'm not sure GT has a factory of their own. I would suspect that they may have been able to buy components or have them manufactured to the original specs at one of the existing plants in Russia, CR, China, etc. I'm not even sure that some of the materials used in the original tubes is even legal anymore because of their environmental impact. Thus, these would have to be manufactured where the Env. Standards are more lax.

If you can believe what Aspen Pittman says, he said that he has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars setting this up.
From his website:

GT reissue which have a majority of USA components made on the original General Electric machines, the original tools, dies, materials and processing formulas as acquired from the liquidation for the last American tube factory in Owensboro Kentucky.
Groove Tubes announces the long awaited USA made reissue of the GT6L6GE, a faithful reproduction of the famous General Electric 6L6 “clear top” power tube.
The new Groove Tubes offering has a 90% USA made content, and is largely produced with the original GE machines located at their San Fernando, California factory.

In his book he goes more in depth about the manufacturing and machines.

[img:640:480]http://www.groovetubes.com/assets/1713_EPSN0002.jpg[/img]

[img:640:480]http://www.groovetubes.com/assets/1713_EPSN0007.jpg[/img]

[img:640:480]http://www.groovetubes.com/assets/1713_EPSN0015.jpg[/img]

[dartanion]

Do they have a EIA code?

Are they labeled "Made in USA"?

Maybe it is true, but I am always skeptical since all GTs other tubes are relabeled.

[Tubetwang]

Do they have a EIA code?

Are they labeled "Made in USA"?

Maybe it is true, but I am always skeptical since all GTs other tubes are relabeled.

Yup, "Made in USA" in Dart red on the tube...

[Funkalicousgroove]

FINAL VACUUM AND CATHODE ASSEMBLY IS DONE BY SHUGUANG IN CHINA.


I had major issues when I tried them, first quad 2 tubes wouldn't even light up, took them back to the store, they replaced them with another.

Second Quad, 3 tubes lit up, one didn't , of the 3 1 arced internally, and the other 2 were 12mA apart as far as current draw. The store I got them from was out and said that I'd have to go through regular GT warranty procedures. Took 5 months to get a replacement quad.

Short bottle TAD sounds almost identical, The new Tung-Sol 6L6GC-STR sounds better than either IMHO.

12AX7M is the best sounding 12AX7 for about 12 minutes before one one of the triodes dies, just my experience-- They sound FANTASTIC but do not last long at all, and tend to not go out gracefully!

[Structo]

Where did you read that they are assembled in China?

Ah ha, I read the fine print in the spec sheet ans sure enough.

This tube was originally intended to be produced here
in our California factory but from the first release,
demand far outstripped our small production
capacity. We realized we’d need a larger facility
so we contracted to do some of the final assembly
of our USA parts with our partnered factory in
China.

So that ends that debate.
What a dote, he says in his book that he has them made in his San Bernardino factory.

[jnick1947]

Hi, I was talking to someone who used to "hang" with Aspen. He volunteered the following: the tubes are made in a Chinese factory. The claim that they are mostly (ninety-whatever percent) made in the USA is based entirely on relative cost. As with the 6L6B, imported from the Reflector Factory in Russia back in the 1990's, the tubes are sent over without bases, which are added here.
Also, there was a blurb in VTV (Vacuum Tube Valley) back in the 90's saying that GT was trying to work out a way to set up producing the RCA 6L6GC's. Unfortunately this did not work out. Too bad.