Tube recommendations

[zRobertez]

The tubes went out in my amp for the first time... I think. lol
The other day, it wouldn't even turn on after I had it sitting warming down for like five minutes while I was yootoob. Anyway, did some research and it sounds like a fuse might have blown and I took to get checked out in case its something else. But I told them to leave the tube part to me (if that's the problem) cause it seems like a good thing to know how to do. But 4get dat, I look up how to somewhere else.

But like d00d, is there anything I want to look for in a new set of t00bz? It's an egnater tweaker 40 with 2 6L6's btw. Stock, the amp was kinda darkish but I ended up really liking it that way. Is there anything I should avoid with toobs too if I want to go for the same sound?
What brands do you guys like and where do you get them from? what's the pgs or prymaxe of the tube world?
Just gimma da scoop/DL hook a brudda up

[kaeth]

Avoid Groovetubes, or any tubes branded by amp companies (Mesa Boogie, Fender, etc). The tubes themselves are fine, but they're rebranded tubes manufactured by other companies, and are often much more expensive. If you find tubes you like under these names, a quick google search will give you the original tube make/model, which you can likely find cheaper from another vendor.

I use The Tube Store pretty much exclusively. There's a lot of resources on their site for learning and figuring out what you want too.

[rfurtkamp]

If you liked what was in there, could just buy whatever the OEMs are.

I know the GT etc are just rebranded stuff but it was nice to be able to buy a rated set back in the dark-pre-internet age and plunk them in.

All I ask is loud, clean, and a star to sail by, so I've never worried much about it.

That and I still have a couple sets of RCA 6L6s sitting around when my stash of GTs and Rubys (back when they were actually the best game in town for anything in the early 90s) finally go. Chances are that will never happen.

[Holy Schnikes]

I've had great luck with JJ and newer EHX/Ruby stuff. Both brands sound great (in my amps) and last a good long while, hard to beat for the money. That said, I only use KT88s, 6V6s, and EL84s. No 6L6 experience with any brand.

As for where to buy and find comparisons and reviews, I think Tube Depot and Doug's Tubes are both great dealers.

[Psyre]

I use JJ's in my Bassman and right now my Super has 1 RCA/ 1 unbranded/marked but looks similar to JJ's. I like the JJ's a lot, they are powerful, really loud and thick.

[metalmariachi]

for 6L6s get a matched pair of either Winged C 6L6GC or TAD 6l6GC-STR.
best current manufactured tubes avaiable and best sounding.

MM

[crohny]

tubedepot and look into JJs, Tung-Sol, EHX, and Sovtek. Four different brands with different price points.

[nightterrors]

always wanted to try Svetlanna's, haven't got around to it.

[benjuro]

Another vote for the JJs. In all my amps, almost every single tube except a few NOS and weirdo out-of production jobbers are JJ.
TubeDepot is great, over the years I've also had good experiences with TubeStore, Triode Electronics, and Eurotubes.

[devideva]

Amazon - next day air - get Tung Sols - they are pretty perfect. JJs look pretty good. I like their high end AUs. Ruby ACS plus gain are good for gain slot

[sylnau]

I like TAD (Tube Amp Doctor).

[devideva]

always wanted to try Svetlanna's, haven't got around to it.

I have Svets 12ax7s - they're really great.
They are also the cheapest NOS - so +1

[dubkitty]

for modern 6x6 power tubes i like TungSol. my favorite modern 12AX7s are the "Mullards," which actually resemble long-plate Telefunkens. i do not like EHX 12AX7s, finding them harsh, but if you're going EH look for their Russian tubes, which are far better made than the MIC tubes. i'm a big believer in NOS/used-test-new preamp tubes, especially in V1 where they greatly affect the tone and response of the amp. RCAs have nice breakup and are still reasonably priced as NOS; GEs are my favorites for their distinctive treble profile which Fender amps LOVE; Philips/Amperex are fairly neutral, as are Sylvania which are similar and usually startlingly cheap. NOS Telefunkens are hi-fi as hell--NO coloration at all--but are insanely expensive (up to $200+ each for NOS in box, with fakes abounding). you can find used-test-close-to-new ones on eBay, particularly the ones made in Germany and branded for overseas home audio makers e.g. Fisher.

[zRobertez]

hey thanks a lot dudes! Now I have options!

[zRobertez]

I've ended up with a pair of these!
http://www.thetubestore.com/Tubes/Svetl ... lana-6L6GC

Some of you said you'd wanted to try these but never have so I will for you! I also read a few product descriptions that made me choose them over the others. I'm not that picky so Im sure itll be fine.