[Isaacc7]

Finally made good on my intention to get more 6bg6 tubes. I have been impressed with the pair of GE 6bg6g in my SEP amp so thought I should get some for my push pull as well. Got a quad of GE but these are the later 6bg6ga tubes. The plates are much bigger than my first set.

I think the plates have a striking resemblance to the GE 6l6gc but these are black instead of grey. I wonder what the significance of the color is. Also got a quad of 6bg6ga RCA and they are the spitting image of the RCA 6l6gb.

These have the double D getters that some sellers think should add a premium to the price of the 6l6gb. The 6gb6 series is still dirt cheap and should give you the classic 6l6 sound. I’ve seen the sentiment that the 6bg6g is an octal version of the 807 and the specs reflect that. There are some differences in construction though, the 807 inevitably has an oval structure under the bottom mica. I have yet to see a 6bg6 with it.

Right now I only have 2 adapters so I can only listen to them in my SEP amp. I’ll get around to listening to them next week I think. Lucked into some Mullard 12j5gt and so I think I’ll be exploring their sound in my push pull amp for a bit. I am looking forward to these tubes though, been thinking about them for a while.

 

[OldSkool]

Ok, guys...can any of you gurus help identify these? They were listed as "NOS Mullard 6V6G, branded Haltron". They sound pretty good but the foil getters look like they have been rode hard and put away wet. Did Mullard even make a 6V6G?

Thanks in advance!

 

[leftside]

Ok, guys...can any of you gurus help identify these? They were listed as "NOS Mullard 6V6G, branded Haltron". They sound pretty good but the foil getters look like they have been rode hard and put away wet. Did Mullard even make a 6V6G?

Thanks in advance!

Probably Tungsram. Mullard took over the factory at some point. The getters are actually deep inside towards the bottom. Might look like a square on foil getter?

 

[OldSkool]

Thanks. I actually meant that the top mica looked rough, sorry. I tend to think that Mullard makes quality tubes, was just surprised to see such a rough internal construction on my pair.

So, Tungsram it is and I appreciate the help.

 

[Isaacc7]

I was under the impression that the GE 6bg6ga that I had was the smaller plate version. Was excited to get the big ones in. When I compared new and old side by side I was surprised to see that the plates were the same size. Did I duplicate what I had before? Not exactly. Here’s my old and then the new versions:

The new ones have the same black plate but there are more holes on the wings and they have different micas. Like I said before, the plates of the new ones look a lot like the GE 6l6gc but black instead of grey.

I put the new ones into my SEP amp along with a tall bottle 14n7 input tube and so far they sound smoother for lack of a better word. The ones I had before could sound kind of dry with the same input tube. The overall sound is a little dark which I’m enjoying, sounds appropriate for the likes of Portoisehead and Low.

 

[Isaacc7]

So after trying the 14n7, Tung Sol 12j5gt BGRP, and Miniwatt b36 I think it is safe to say these GE 6bg6ga tubes are noticeably darker sounding than the first set I had, at least in this amp. I put in a brown base Tung Sol 6sl7 and have a better balance now. The 6sl7 usually leads to an overly bright, aggressive sound in this amp but it works well with these tubes. Listening will continue apace.

 

[Isaacc7]

I have found the new to me GE 6bg6ga to be a bit difficult to work with in my SEP amp. All the 6sn7(ish) input tubes I have tried ended up sounding too dark and closed in. 6sl7 brought a better balance overall but the Tung Sol brown base 6sl7 and Sylvania tall bottle bottom getter both had an annoying glare through the midrange. The Tung Sol 6c8g managed to avoid the glare and so was a good improvement. Used that combo for three days and enjoyed it.

The best input tube I have found is the Tungsram branded (suspected Philips or at least Holland made) 12sl7. It has brought a lightness to the sound as compared to even the 6sl7 and 6c8g which made it more balanced sounding. Now I'm getting a really rich, chocolatey kind of sound with slightly loose bass but creamy timbers. Really good all around but really really good for men's voices, cellos, and other things with a heavy emphasis on the lower midrange.

So that's my findings on using these GE 6bg6ga in a single ended pentode amp. I'm curious what it will sound like in my push pull amp. I have learned that it is bound to sound very different. Mixing and matching tubes is so much fun...

 

[OldSkool]

After trying numerous combinations in my Toolshed vinyl rig, I have discovered that the GEC L63 preamp tubes pair VERY well with some circa 1940 RCA 6V6G power tubes. Getting lots of detail from the GEC's and the RCA's have such a smooth, silky presentation.

Of course, YMMV.

 

[leftside]

After trying numerous combinations in my Toolshed vinyl rig, I have discovered that the GEC L63 preamp tubes pair VERY well with some circa 1940 RCA 6V6G power tubes. Getting lots of detail from the GEC's and the RCA's have such a smooth, silky presentation.

Of course, YMMV.

I too like the L63/6V6 combo in my 1101 Audio Red Dwarf headphone amp.

Does Toolshed make that nice "steampunk" preamp/amp you have in that photo?

 

[OldSkool]

Yes sir. I have had this Toolshed amp/preamp combo for 6 years now and wouldn't trade it for the world. It's 6.5 watts of heaven.

If you ask nicely, they will even engrave it how you want it.

Cheers, JC

 

[Renexx]

I found a nice pair of SER 6v6g in Swedish military boxes. The base has a 45 engraved with 3 crowns.

Can someone tell if these are made by Philips Netherlands or are they actually made in Sweden?

Same like these Mullard branded pair of early Kenrad 6v6g/gt. Came in Swedish military boxes and has a "made in USA" printed on the base.

 

[triod750]

They are most likely made by AB Svenska Elektronrör in Ulvsunda, Sweden. Part of LM Ericsson. Started production in 1938 due to WWII.

 

[triod750]

So who put on the C4G? (I only have C3G). Might be Mullard. Looks similar to the TH3 on my 6J5GT/G that might have been made in Tottenham.

 

[RobertSM]

I found a nice pair of SER 6v6g in Swedish military boxes. The base has a 45 engraved with 3 crowns.

Can someone tell if these are made by Philips Netherlands or are they actually made in Sweden?



Same like these Mullard branded pair of early Kenrad 6v6g/gt. Came in Swedish military boxes and has a "made in USA" printed on the base.

Those are definitely the SERs, AB Svenska Elektronrör.

Not to be confused with Swedish Standard Electric 5S2D, which are widely considered one of the best 6V6 tubes.

 

[triod750]

Photo from http://www.sm7ucz.se/Kanongrej/Kanongrej.htm