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Post subject: are sovtec tubes better than the stock fender tubes
Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 4:42 pm
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Can anyone tell me about sovtech tubes? I am using a blues deville 4x10 with sovtech tubes are they any good? This amp is used and I am thinking of getting it. Also how do I tell what year it is Serial number starts with T 079688.

Thanks


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Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 6:08 pm
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My Epiphone Valve Junior and Fender Blues Junior both came stock with Sovteks. They sounded okay but both amps were much improved by switching to JJ tubes. To answer your question directly, the stock Fenders (at least in my Blues Junior) WERE Sovteks with Fender branding over the Sovtek name.


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Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 6:07 am
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It is really hard to say with out testing them first. You really need to have a GT and a sovtek both tested at 100% before guessing but I will say that the GT sound better to my ear.


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Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 6:52 am
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I'm also a big JJ fan.


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Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:15 am
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You really need to have a GT and a sovtek both tested at 100% before guessing but I will say that the GT sound better to my ear.


Placebo effect. Every GT I've seen says "Sovtek" under the Fender/GT branding (which I admit is a small sample, probably fewer than 10 amps). Fender does test them and match them so you get a consistent response when you change tubes so GT's would sound better than ramdomly replacing tubes with untested Sovteks but as far as any other difference there shouldn't be any. The advantage to GT's is they're tested so you don't have to fool with re-biasing your amp assuming you stay with the same color.


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Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 10:41 am
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It's always a good idea to check the bias no matter who makes the power tubes and what color stripe is on them. If the bias is too hot you'll cook the tubes in short order, too cold they'll last a long time but sound like garbage. As far as I know, Sovtek does test their tubes. Most tubes do not come out "untested" many are even burned in too. Bias does effect tone and tube longevity.


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Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 12:04 pm
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I was recommended Svetlana Winged C valves by GravityJim - and I'm pleased to say they are so bloody amazing. If you can, try and get a go on some!

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Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 12:54 pm
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Winged C's are awesome too. There are so many tubes out there, It's silly not to experiment. Especially with preamp tubes. You may just find what you're looking for. In lower end tube amps especially, tubes and components are usually chosen to keep the amp at a certain price point, not because they are exceptional components. Tubes are an easy non-destructive tonal mod. Lots of fun too.


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Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 8:24 pm
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I've always wondered what are the tonal differences between 6L6s and EL84s? Also, are 6L6 and 6V6 the same output tube?


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Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 6:18 am
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6l6 and 6v6 are not the same output tube. The tonal difference is a little weird to describe. I find that the 6v6 has a warmer sound and that the notes bloom. Try something like a 65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue or even an old SF Champ. I think the 6l6's have a bit more headroom and supply a bit more power. My Twin ran 6l6's and had 100 watts and It was hard to get it to break up naturally without going deaf. Try a Vox AC30 and you'll hear EL 84's.

You need to take a trip out and try all the different amps and tube combinations out there. I lean towards the whole Fender Valco, Dano, 6l6, 6v6
thing myself, but that's just me. I was never really into the whole Marshall, Vox thing. You may hear it differently. I'm no tube expert by any stretch of the imagination.


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:34 pm
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Go with JJ tubes. They are fantastic sounding and will crush Sovtec/GT tubes any day. The Svetlana tubes are very nice as well, but I still prefer the JJ's.


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Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 6:26 am
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EdMardell wrote:
I was recommended Svetlana Winged C valves by GravityJim - and I'm pleased to say they are so bloody amazing. If you can, try and get a go on some!


Alright now, Ed, glad to hear you dig 'em! Everything they say is true, eh, mate? :D Schweeeet!


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