Alternatives to 6L6 in a 60W Mark III?

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phyrexia

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So can I only use 6L6GCs? Can I try the Mesa labeled 5881s? Will KT66s work?

I guess if I had a tube data sheet I could maybe figure this stuff out myself.
 
You can for sure run 5881's in your 60 watter. The 60 has some awsome characteristics unique to itself. I have run stock mesa and off the shelf Sovtec 5881's for 15 years in mine with no bias problems or need for adjustment. The 5881 is a more rounder and spongyer sounding (at least to my ear) tube than the brighter and harder sounding 6L6's. As for the KT's you'd probably need to put the "adjustable bias" mod in. I haven't tried them so can't respond on them tone wise.
 
I just got hold of some NOS 7581A's in my 2ch. Dual. Those rock!!!!!
 
Hi Victor,

If you have the large box head, then you can run the KT66’s with no mods. If you have the amp modded to be adjustable bias then you could run just about anything……..E34L’s, KT77’s and 6V6’s just to name a few.

Thanks,

Eddie
 
I think the 5881's break up to fast so the lead channel is mushy.
The 7581A'S are the best sounding IMHO, very crisp cleans and the crunch and sting are much more managable.

The TAD 6L6 GC STR's tubes are my next favorite.

I don't know what would happen if you used Yellowjackets and EL34's or 6V6's, on the 60 watt model.

Anybody tried that yet?????
 
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