Opinions on 6V6s

[Russ]

For all of you that have used or are currently using 6V6s instead of 6L6s:

Let me know what you have experienced. Likes/dislikes. Tone characteristics. Comparisons in feel vs. 6L6s. Favorite brands or models. Oddities I should be aware of before purchasing them and also for after installing in a Mark IV.

I am thinking about swapping out to a quad of 6V6s.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ned]

I love 6V6's, have only used JJ's. They have more of a mid hump than L's or 34s which really help you cut through in a band situation.

 

[Blue Gilbo]

I've had four JJ 6V6's in my Mark 1 RI combo for the past 18 months...absolutely love them. The change was more for a volume drop than the tonal change...6L6's (even at the 60 watt setting) were way too loud for where I play.

Ned is right...I do hear more mids and it sounds good to me.

 

[mrmax]

Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 8:58 am Post subject:

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I've had four JJ 6V6's in my Mark 1 RI combo for the past 18 months...absolutely love them. The change was more for a volume drop than the tonal change...6L6's (even at the 60 watt setting) were way too loud for where I play.

Ned is right...I do hear more mids and it sounds good to me.


Wouldn't more mids = Tone? 8) 8)

 

[ned]

Many people, especially those that don't play with a band, love a scooped mid tone. While this sounds great by yourself it's completely useless in a band situation.

 

[Blue Gilbo]

True mrmax but I guess what I was trying to say was that my initial reason for using 6V6's was to lower the amp power to get a more useable volume level. An unexpected (but welcome) benefit to that was better tone.

 

[mrmax]

Many people, especially those that don't play with a band, love a scooped mid tone. While this sounds great by yourself it's completely useless in a band situation.[/quote] VERY TRUE ,MIDS are needed in a BAND SITUATION, without them you'll be "LOST IN THE SAUCE" :wink: :wink:

 

[Russ]

I have played for a pretty long time but haven't ventured away from loud yet. This being said a minimum of 50 watt heads running EL34s. I haven't even tried a 6V6 head yet. I was thinking I would try to locate an old Fender to aproximate things but it would still not clearly tell me the tale with the Mark IV. That is why I asked you guys. I figure if I don't like them I can always use them as trade stock or sell them or keep them for another point in my life when things aren't quite so loud. I was more concrened with the tone. It sounds only good so far. I have no issues with mids except not having enough to be heard and as was mentioned before getting lost in the mix. I actually like my mids except when speedmetal/thrash riffing but even then you gotta have some.

It seems that so far you guys like the JJs. I'll have to check them out. Any other options?

 

[mrmax]

How much power will 4 6v6 tubes and 2 6v6 tubes do on Recto's? is there any mods needed to be done like bias adjustment?" Plate voltage is a major concern, I'd contact Boogie to discuss that first.

:!: :!: :!:

 

[tejastubes]

THE reference 6V6 is of course the RCA 6V6GTA. Also, in all the comparisons/shootouts these come in first, with Brimar coming in a close second. RCA are the only way to go,,, in my opinion.

 

[Guitarzan]

The JJ 6V6's are pretty robust...read Bob's observationshere.