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Post subject: General Electric 6L6GC tubes
Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2015 8:40 am
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Does anyone have experience with NOS General Electric GE 6L6GC tubes for use in a '65 Bandmaster head?

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Post subject: Re: General Electric 6L6GC tubes
Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2015 2:16 pm
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BasementBob wrote:
Does anyone have experience with NOS General Electric GE 6L6GC tubes for use in a '65 Bandmaster head?


Can you be more specific? I have used GE bottles in the past and have a set of NOS ones waiting for the right amp. They are great tubes by the way.

T2

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Post subject: Re: General Electric 6L6GC tubes
Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2015 4:42 pm
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They sound very nice in a '68 Bassman, very clean and smooth, warm, rich sound with good harmonics. I compared them to the GT GE reissue in that amp, and they were very close, with the GE originals just a bit warmer than the GT. Both sound great, but I went with the slightly brighter sound of the GTs.

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Post subject: Re: General Electric 6L6GC tubes
Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2015 6:19 pm
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shimmilou wrote:
They sound very nice in a '68 Bassman, very clean and smooth, warm, rich sound with good harmonics. I compared them to the GT GE reissue in that amp, and they were very close, with the GE originals just a bit warmer than the GT. Both sound great, but I went with the slightly brighter sound of the GTs.


Agree! GE made some of the finest output tubes, esp during the 1960-70's. The plant in Owensboro, KY is were some of the original "STR" type tubes were produced. The famous 6550A came from that plant (used in the behemoth Fender 300 and 400PS). As well as the STR-6CA7 (EL34). I've used the GT 6L6GC a lot. Built to mil specs, it is also known the 7581A. Can easily handle 600-800 plate volts and has conservatively rate 35 watts/tube output.


Does you 6L6GC look like these? Mid to late 1960's STR GE often had pink or tan colored bases. Same stats as the black based models.



Image



GE 6L6GC-STR (7581A) and the RCA BP 6L6GC.

Image


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Post subject: Re: General Electric 6L6GC tubes
Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2015 3:02 pm
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These what they look like. They are located with a seller that is in rural area a few hours out...so I don't have them yet. They might be Canadian made GE...(I am up here...). Also see the Rogers Brand...a name familiar to anyone in Canada.

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Post subject: Re: General Electric 6L6GC tubes
Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2015 5:07 pm
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The two 6L6GC's on the left are Owensboro made GE tubes. With mid 1960-70's logo. Side getter blasts and larger bottle are the keys. The two on the right are prolly Rogers labeled, 1970-80's era Sylvania/Philips made 7581A (mil spec or STR 6L6GC). Also, very good tubes.

http://www.cathedralstone.net/Tubes/6L6GCvs7581a1.jpg

I remember Rogers as a parts source for Ham radios :?:. Maybe, I'm confused with some other company. But, I do have some Rogers labeled tubes (think rectifiers) --- laying about.

If those tube test high (in amp) and are quiet --- they are very good tubes.



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Post subject: Re: General Electric 6L6GC tubes
Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2015 7:08 pm
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After many months, I finally had the tubes shipped to me. Four in all. The photos are not the best.

Two Canadian General Electric 6L6GC (age unknown). These are destined to find a home in my '65 Band Master Head.
Image
Image

An RCA
Image

and a "Hit-Ray" (Hitachi-Raytheon Japan?)
Image

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Post subject: Re: General Electric 6L6GC tubes
Posted: Mon Jun 08, 2015 11:55 pm
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Those are very good bottles. Canadian-made GE, RCA, and Westinghouse tubes are equal to US made ones. In quality, tone, and long life. Some even like them over certain US-made. Like the GE JAN brown micanol base 6V6GTY.


Congrats!


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Post subject: Re: General Electric 6L6GC tubes
Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2015 7:09 am
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Looks like a great pair to add to my hunt list !
I have three great RCA's however they don't get close enough to each other to make a solid pair (bummer)

what ever came of the GT 6L6GE tubes ? I know they were found to be made offshore and not in the USA, however how have they held up ? Tone, longevity etc.......

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Post subject: Re: General Electric 6L6GC tubes
Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2015 7:21 am
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blues bondsman wrote:
...what ever came of the GT 6L6GE tubes ?...Tone, longevity etc.......


Still great here, 68 Bassman, and TSA30. :D I have been using the TSA30 quite a bit since I got it.

I like the tubes so much, I bought several matched pairs of the same grade (7).

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Post subject: Re: General Electric 6L6GC tubes
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2015 12:16 pm
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:D :D :D :D :D :!:
I had the GE's installed, biased, pots and jacks cleaned and a few loose connections re-soldered. '65 Bandmaster head is running nicely, and sounds great. Cheers all.

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Post subject: Re: General Electric 6L6GC tubes
Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2015 1:03 pm
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BasementBob wrote:
:D :D :D :D :D :!:
I had the GE's installed, biased, pots and jacks cleaned and a few loose connections re-soldered. '65 Bandmaster head is running nicely, and sounds great. Cheers all.


It's hard to beat the old Bandmaster as a solid and dependable platform on which to develop a personalized sonic palette. They're like the Timex watch of guitar amps -- they take a licking and keep on ticking.

Rawk on!

Arjay

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