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Post subject: RCA 6V6 Question
Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 12:25 pm
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Quick question. An eBay search for RCA 6v6s will yield tubes that cost $25/pair, $75/pair, all the way up to $150/pair. To the untrained eye it looks like you can buy a vintage RCA 6V6 for any price you want. Any guidance? Good years / labels to look for, etc. ...


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Post subject: Re: RCA 6V6 Question
Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 1:00 pm
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Hey Dan! Welcome. I take it you are looking for RCA 6V6GT's. The 6V6G is a 1940's era coke bottle shaped tube (ST-12 shape) that would commmand very high $$$ is good used or NOS.

RCA 6V6GT's came in several flavors. For those seeking the vintage tone, the smoked glass, black plate, black base of the 1950's 6V6GT is the primo one. For those seekng a bit cleaner top end, headroom, and a smoosh more power (2 watts per tube) the later 1960-70 6V6GTA is desired.

All tubes, no matter what type or brand, are sold by NOS/NIB, matched sets (highest $$$). High testing pulls (a little less $$$). And random pulls or ones with unknown history (lowest $$$). The smoked 6V6GT NOS commands the highest $$$, in general. And the clear glass 6V6GT and 6V6GTA are less.

This image from Tube World may help:

Image


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Post subject: Re: RCA 6V6 Question
Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 2:12 pm
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I collected as many pairs of NOS and good testing 6V6GT blackplates,and smoked glass tubes,that I could afford years ago,I love their sound,but in several amps I use the grey plate 6V6GTAs,they're all great....I just wish you could still buy tubes this good new. :(


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Post subject: Re: RCA 6V6 Question
Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 3:34 pm
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Rebelsoul wrote:
....I just wish you could still buy tubes this good new. :(



Reb...+1...Although so far I have had good luck with the TAD 6V6GT's and also thier 6L6's...not quite the tone of those RCA's but close....IMHO.

And welcome to the Forum Dan.
T2

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Post subject: Re: RCA 6V6 Question
Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 3:52 pm
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I lost one of the beloved blackplate RCA's to microphonics in my '65 Princeton Reverb about a year ago -- damn near broke my heart. But I replaced them both with a pair of Motorola-branded grayplates and the amp seems to love them just the same. It sounds great......one of the best set of non-RCA 6V6GTA's I've ever heard.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: RCA 6V6 Question
Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 7:18 pm
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Sure like the Brimar 6V6GT in my single ended amp. My old RCA's sound good and the Phillips JAN tubes are strong contenders too. Art

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Post subject: Re: RCA 6V6 Question
Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 8:37 pm
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I've got a pair of the Brimars in a '65 Deluxe Reverb,they are some great tubes. :D


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Post subject: Re: RCA 6V6 Question
Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 12:32 pm
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Thanks now I know of three or four varieties worth hunting down, and from what I can tell I can get a matched pair for ~$75 after shipping which is better than what the local seller was offering.


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Post subject: Re: RCA 6V6 Question
Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 1:48 pm
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If you don't mind using non-RCA 6V6GT's, here are just a few I've used through the years. The 1960's BP TS 6V6GTA, the CBS or Raytheon brown based 6V6GTY, and the GE Canada made (United Electronics) 6V6GTY being some of the best tubes I've used. All are fine tubes. Good hunting!

Image

Image

Image

Image


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Post subject: Re: RCA 6V6 Question
Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2013 5:27 pm
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I am located in sf anyone know where I can get these tested?


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