Power and preamp tubes: your choice for #102 built

[hellrot]

Gentlemen, good morning,

Hope you are all well here.

I'm building a #102 klon and have a choice of using either NOS RCA 6L6GC Black Plate or GE 6L6GC Grey Plate.

From your experience, what tubes would give me that authentic sound?

... or maybe NOS Sylvania?

Also, what is your tube of choice for V1 and V2? RCA 7025? Mullard ECC83?

Thank you and have a nice day!

[norburybrook]

If you look in the back of Robben ford or Larry Carlton's amp's you'll probably see new JJ's

JJ 6L6's sound great, I don't care what anyone says!!


your choice of speaker will have far more influence on the tone.

build your amp, with what you have valve wise and then when you know how it sounds you can start swapping tubes. I've never found it makes much difference to be honest.

That's just my 2 cents though , others have different experiences.



M

[xtian]

+1 and done.

[pompeiisneaks]

Yup so far I've only mostly used JJ or EH new stock tubes. I did get a few here and there that I found or pulled and they do seem to be a bit cleaner 'maybe'? but I'm no golden ear. Ultimately, I'd rather just pay a ton less and feel pretty damn happy with current production tubes

~Phil

[martin manning]

I’d recommend spending some time rolling tubes through V1. You will find variation in tone (some brighter, some darker) and in noise level. I agree not much effect from the power tubes, any of the ones mentioned should be fine. N

[67plexi]

GE 12AX7A or 7025 gray plate for V-1 and V-2 as for the 6L6GC I have been using Telefunken 68 quads no problem's so far they sound OK they are made by JJ for repairs.
As for my personal builds NOS all the way. I just finished #51 build I have more amps than I will ever play stupid ??? I did learn a lot.
My #102 build is on it's 4th world tour I gave it to a friend.

[hellrot]

Gentlemen, thank you all for your comments. It might save me some coin. ))

Yes, I surely noticed JJs in Robben’s amp and was quite surprised. I’ve had good experiences with JJ power tubes, but in “regular” so to say amps, like Marshall.

My Komet 60 has NOS amps installed by Mr. Fischer himself, when he “tuned” her.

Mr. D also used NOS Sylvanias, GEs... so I thought why not do the same?

It’s a personal built, so I want to make it very special.

I’m just not sure whether it makes sense to spend $800 on a quad of RCA 6L6GC Black plates for the power section. Everyone is raving about them as a Holly Grail for tone, but with mids prevailing in a guitar amp will I notice well pronounced highs?

[norburybrook]

Gentlemen, thank you all for your comments. It might save me some coin. ))

Yes, I surely noticed JJs in Robben’s amp and was quite surprised. I’ve had good experiences with JJ power tubes, but in “regular” so to say amps, like Marshall.

My Komet 60 has NOS amps installed by Mr. Fischer himself, when he “tuned” her.

Mr. D also used NOS Sylvanias, GEs... so I thought why not do the same?

It’s a personal built, so I want to make it very special.

I’m just not sure whether it makes sense to spend $800 on a quad of RCA 6L6GC Black plates for the power section. Everyone is raving about them as a Holly Grail for tone, but with mids prevailing in a guitar amp will I notice well pronounced highs?

Dumble's don't overdrive the power section so it's a waste of money I'd say. Seriously, just use what you've got, unless they're bad valves you'll have the sound.

As Martin said V1 is the valve that has most impact on the sound as it's the valve that shapes the clean that then cascades into the OD. I've used, new Chinese, JJ's, EH, Sylvania in there and they've all sounded great. I usually swap around mainly for voltages. Get a balanced PI valve if you can. Not sure about tonal differences but it might make balancing the trim pot easier.

M

[mojotom]

I would try to find a set of Wingled C 6L6 for a personal build, I really like the bass and overall balance of a quad of them for an ODS, still expensive ($260 ?) but they should last a long time with a cold bias.
I like them on old blackface too
Balanced PI is always nice.

I like Chinese triple mica NOS 12AX7 for V1 and maybe V2, still cheap but very effective and quiet (thanks Tony Talbany !).

[stelligan]

I am with those that like GE in V1 & V2 and Winged Cs in the power section. New production Mullards have been working for me in the PI position.

[talbany]

Gentlemen, good morning,

Hope you are all well here.

I'm building a #102 klon and have a choice of using either NOS RCA 6L6GC Black Plate or GE 6L6GC Grey Plate.

From your experience, what tubes would give me that authentic sound?

... or maybe NOS Sylvania?

Also, what is your tube of choice for V1 and V2? RCA 7025? Mullard ECC83?

Thank you and have a nice day!

Here is a pretty good read on the breakdown of some of the personality traits of NOS glass!.

https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=17936

Now with that posted remember preamp tubes gain factors can be all over the place and although you may find a I63 Mullard-B it's no guarantee it will sound good in V-2 if it has a low Mu rating
One of the big surprises for me is was the Beijing Chinese Military Square Getter Triple-Mica (rebranded Ruby/GT 1980's) These things sound pretty damn good. They have excellent gain and are almost dead quiet and surprisingly smooth!!.. The best part is they are still fairly CHEAP!!
BTW..I recommend long plates in the PI spot
Good Luck
Tony

[hellrot]

Thank you, gentlemen, for your generous insightful comments. Will have to try several solutions.

What about putting same, say, RCA, in v1, v2 AND v3? All balanced.

[Roe]

The tad 6l6wgc seems good, even two rock uses it

[rogb]

The tad 6l6wgc seems good, even two rock uses it

It's all I have used, never let me down and sound good. Got a quad in the 100w and a pair in my 35w Tweedle Dee hybrid.

[hellrot]

I got me some pre-amp tubes following your advice, that these are more important than power tubes.

v1. 1951 NOS RCA 12AX7 Long Black Plate
v2. 1961 NOS RCA 7025 Short Grey Plate
PI. 1965 ANOS Tungsram ECC83.

Search for power tubes continues.

Thanks all for your support.