5881/6L6WGC recommendations?
- Pepe Silvia
- PAT. # 2.972.923
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5881/6L6WGC recommendations?
I am going to retube my Marshall JTM30 and am trying to figure out which are the best 5881/6L6WGC power tubes for it. It has Sovteks in it which I think are original, and am reading how they aren't great tubes and were just used as that is what was readily available. There aren't many options now either, does anyone have experience with 5881s?
- jthomas
- PAT. # 2.972.923
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Re: 5881/6L6WGC recommendations?
I'd suggest considering new old stock (NOS) or almost new old stock (ANOS). Trusted dealers sell tubes that have been still have a long life and the prices still are not too bad. I have purchased from:
Tube World Express
https://tubeworldexpress.com/
and KCANOS
https://www.kcanostubes.com/
both with very good results. Mike at KCANOS is quite responsive to emails and very good with recommendations if you have a question. True NOS are very pricey now, but your budget may allow that kind of investment. I am reasonably sure that Mike would warranty ANOS tubes for a reasonable length of time, but you might ask about that to be certain.
Best wishes.
Tube World Express
https://tubeworldexpress.com/
and KCANOS
https://www.kcanostubes.com/
both with very good results. Mike at KCANOS is quite responsive to emails and very good with recommendations if you have a question. True NOS are very pricey now, but your budget may allow that kind of investment. I am reasonably sure that Mike would warranty ANOS tubes for a reasonable length of time, but you might ask about that to be certain.
Best wishes.
- Pepe Silvia
- PAT. # 2.972.923
- Posts: 5704
- Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 11:44 am
- Location: Philadelphia
Re: 5881/6L6WGC recommendations?
Thanks for the tips. I went with Sovteks again, it seems to be the best for this amp. I havent bought tubes since pre covid and had sticker shock at the increases in price.
- jthomas
- PAT. # 2.972.923
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- Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2013 12:44 pm
- Location: Downeast Maine
Re: 5881/6L6WGC recommendations?
Completely understand the sticker shock issue. Please report back how the Sovtek's work out, so that I can keep on learning. I tend to worry about early tube failure with new manufacture tubes... but also hope that the quality and the pre-testing limit that problem.
- andy_tchp
- PAT. # 2.972.923
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- Location: Brisbane
Re: 5881/6L6WGC recommendations?
I have the Sovtek 5881WXT in my Blackface Showman, they're fine.
"I don't know why we asked him to join the band 'cause the rest of us don't like country music all that much; we just like Graham Lee."
David McComb, 1987.
David McComb, 1987.
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- PAT. # 2.972.923
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Re: 5881/6L6WGC recommendations?
I have vintage 5881’s in a tweed Bassman LTD and I had to lower the voltage on the plates.
- OffYourFace
- Mods
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- Location: Los Angeles, CA
Re: 5881/6L6WGC recommendations?
i'm late but I always recommend TAD. They're my favorite for 6L6-types.
And yeah, tube prices are crazy.
And yeah, tube prices are crazy.