6V6 Power Tubes

[StratLover]

It seems the boutique amp makers that craft a "mini-plexi" (including Marshall themselves with the Haze) use 6V6 power tubes to recreate that Plexi sound. I don't know much about these tubes, but why would these tubes recreate this sound better than the actual tubes that are in the amps?

[LivewireBlanco]

6V6 power tubes are low power tubes usually found in 5-20 watt amps. These tubes are used instead of EL34s or KT66s because of their low power rating. If you used the same tubes that were in the plexi amps you would have pretty much the same power as a plexi, which is way more power than most people need today. The choice of the 6V6 tube over the EL84 tube is the real question. I think the 6V6 tubes have more bottom and are a bit more touch sensitive than the EL84s. However, EL84s have more bite to them and are a bit more aggressive than 6V6s. There are some really great amps out there that use both tubes but as to which tube is better is really just a matter of choice. Hope this explains your question!

[musicman]

Suggest listen to a Fender Tweed Deluxe (5E3 circuit) for a good example of 6V6 and a Vox AC15 for EL84 sounds and see which you like best.

[DeanM]

Suggest listen to a Fender Tweed Deluxe (5E3 circuit) for a good example of 6V6 and a Vox AC15 for EL84 sounds and see which you like best.

well i wudn suggest tat cos they'l sound different even if the both had the same power tubes. ya know cos of their design n stuff. for a better comparison of these tubes id go to 18watt.com. there are variations of the traditional 18watt design (1974) that use el84s and the same models equiped with 6v6s. to listen ya'd have ta sign up tho. so i think i mite actually put up a thread here and upload files from that forum so members here can hear the differences. it would be a good comparison cos it would basically be more or less the same design except for the power tubes.

its interesting this came up cos iv recently been lookin inta this sorta thing. would any1 be interested in such a thread?

also what Livewireblanco described is pretty accurate. that could be something to do with the 6v6 being able to withstand higher HT voltages which would provide more headroom and tighter bass.

[LivewireBlanco]

The best way to compare is with an Egnater Rebel 20 since it has 6v6s AND El84s, which is how I came to my conclusion.

[DeanM]

The best way to compare is with an Egnater Rebel 20 since it has 6v6s AND El84s, which is how I came to my conclusion.

oh yeah good point!! never tawt bout that!! dont know much bout that amp. also has a blend knob too doesnt it? to mix between the two??

[LivewireBlanco]

The best way to compare is with an Egnater Rebel 20 since it has 6v6s AND El84s, which is how I came to my conclusion.

oh yeah good point!! never tawt bout that!! dont know much bout that amp. also has a blend knob too doesnt it? to mix between the two??

Yes sir! Blend the two types of tubes and it also has a wattage knob to go from 1 to 20 watts. A very nice amp for just about any type of genre.

[musicman]

OK but I would suggest the "classic" 6V6 amp is the Tweed Deluxe & the "classic" EL84 amp is the AC15.

[LivewireBlanco]

OK but I would suggest the "classic" 6V6 amp is the Tweed Deluxe & the "classic" EL84 amp is the AC15.

Hmm...I would put the AC30 as the classic El84 amp. The 1974X is also a very nice EL84 amp.

[musicman]

Agreed but I was trying to suggest a low power option - the 1974 is also a good alternative.

[StratLover]

Thanks for the help guys! Based on LivewireBlanco's write up, 6V6's would be more suiting to me. . . I'm not a big fan of "bite" in my tone, I like the creamier tones better. Thanks for the replies guys!

[LivewireBlanco]

Cool dude. Glad I could help!

[DeanM]

hmmm was just wonderin...

most amps use el34 and then when the VM came out people thought the kt66 had some great mojo...BUT its considered a mistake to try get the same expectations of the 6l6.

the el84 and the 6v6. could the el84 be described as a low power el34? and the 6v6 as a low power 6l6? and if so....what would be the low power alternative of the kt66??!!?? or have i got the wrong impressions here?

[LivewireBlanco]

hmmm was just wonderin...

most amps use el34 and then when the VM came out people thought the kt66 had some great mojo...BUT its considered a mistake to try get the same expectations of the 6l6.

the el84 and the 6v6. could the el84 be described as a low power el34? and the 6v6 as a low power 6l6? and if so....what would be the low power alternative of the kt66??!!?? or have i got the wrong impressions here?

That's kinda what I think of when I think of the tubes. I don't think there could really be a low power KT66 because i think what gives it its mojo is that it's freakin huge! When I try to get a more VM tone from my Egnator amp I have to blend the two types of tubes because the KT66 has a little bite but it also has that big low end.

[DeanM]

haha that makes sense bout the size playin a part. and also but the blending. cheers livewire!!