JJ 6L6GC First Impressions

[Lights Out]

Hi
I just received my High gain Kit for the Boogie MKIV
I thought I'd compare the 6L6's before I re-tube the whole amp
(Pre & power amp stages)

I had the Mesa STR-420's in the amp since I bought it , which I dont mind but have never compared other Power Valves in this amp.
So I took the plunge & orederd the JJ's

The JJ6L6GC's dont fit as tight as the Mesa STR-420's they feel like the might fall out in transportation. I'll have to look into that & tighten up the sockets . Which dosent look easy because the Combo dosent give you much room to move around.
BTW Bob at Eurotubes does mention this & he was right .

Firstly Yes , they are some what Darker with the Top end rolled off which sounded kind of weird at first , there seems to be alot more compression & Gain on R2 & Lead Channels at lower volumes.
I didnt think that would happen untill the power
Valves were pushed harder ?....Interesting any comments on this guys ?

Dont know if it was the Tubes but the Clean Channel was alot quieter too
I had to turn up the Gain from 5 to 9.

After changing the EQ settings it is starting to sound pretty good .
I mainly played around with R2 & was able to get tones close to My favourite tones
Accept " Balls to the Wall"
Dokken "Under Lock & Key"
And AC/DC "Back in Black"

Just took a 30 minute break while writing this thread & Kranked the amp a little more
It is very punchy now with alot of Clarity on the top end
(No Blanket over the speaker tone) some guys speak off.
Actually the Bass & Mids seem to be Rolled off the louder I get.

Thats with a Duncan JB Humbucker & 2 Dimarzio VV's
Going into an old cab with Blackback G12H-30's

 

[jackieTHEjokeman]

I recently put in the Hi-Gain kit for my Mark IV too. I LOVE IT!! They blow away the stock Mesa tubes.

 

[dandan]

I'm planning on buying the high gain re-tube kit for my Mark III C+ head.

Right now I have some 440's in there, and it does sound good.

I'm just hoping that somehow the JJ's don't make it sound "worse" or lose definition/clarity.

I guess thats the fun in experimenting..

although not when its 100 dollars : (

But from reading the descriptions of what the tubes he has offers, I think I should be satisfied. I'm not that picky just as long as whatever it is sounds GOOD and has definition

I'll probably buy 2 extra 6L6's just incase somehow I prefer it over 2 6L6 2 EL34L

 

[Boogiebabies]

Try to be as subjective as possible. The JJ's do fatten the tone up, but IMHO at the expense of the high end. It is very rolled off. I cannot stand the JJ preamp tube in a Mesa. It is too dull for me. I just finished trying the GT JJ 6L6's and GT E34L in the IIC+ and it is great for a fatter tone but has less cut and shred. For overall playing conditions I would say it is way warmer than almost any other tube I have tried, but again it does not have the top end shimmer of Svetlana's or NOS STR 415's and I even prefer the GT 6L6GE and GT 6CA7. They seem to have a better tone curve and a more natural high end. the JJ's seemed to muddy up my bottom end at the same settings as the Svet 6L6's and EL34's. They were more balance with sweet highs and a tight bottom end. I sticking with the NOS Svets in this one.
I really look for a high gain front with a clear representation of my signal to the power amp. The JJ's are just too colored for me. I do like them best in a DR though. With the Svets I get a very thick tone that cuts and allows for easy legato and alternate picking runs that maintain some shred but have a rounded feel. What great amps these are.

 

[fdesalvo]

^^amen, brothah!

 

[Boogiebabies]

Can I get an Amen !!!!

Lets give the band a hand.....

 

[Lights Out]

I think thats the deal with JJ's .
You think there fatter because the highs are rolled off , but I dont think there is any more Bass or Lower Mids

Boogiebabies your experiments are with the MKIII I wonder if there is much difference in the way the MKIII take to the JJ's compared to the MKIV ?
From your description mabey the Svets might have been the tone im looking for.

Or Mabey I should track down some of the Old Sylvania 6L6's , what are the best tubes to Really fatten up a MKIV anyway ??

 

[dandan]

so what tube combinations would i probably like?

Could someone recommend that for my mkIII+ ?

As long as the price isnt over $120 for the complete re-tube