I bought a used '59 Bassman LTD yesterday and the guy gave me some extra sets of tubes. So I was wondering if anyone can tell me what the differeces are?

I have a set of Sovtek 6L6WXT+ power tubes. The box has 11 / 1.8 written on it, not sure if that means anything?

a set of the Fender branded Groove Tubes, GT6L6GE. I assume these were what came in it.

a set of Groove Tubes GT6L6S says aka KT66/5881

a couple of THD yellow jacket converters with tubes. From my understanding this wil reduce power consumption and get the overdriven tone at lower volumes? I'm really interested in that, cause I just play at home, don't gig or anything.

and a smaller Fender GT Tube that I think says GT12AX7

And I have to look at the amp to see what's in there now.

Inside the amp is a Fender Rectifier tube, can't see the numbers on it though off hand.
Sovtek 5881WXT power tubes

2 of the Fender GT12AX7 tubes

and a GE 12AU7A tube?

You ever wonder who makes Groove Tubes????

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Is their still only 5 factories in the world?

Are KT66's the same as 6L6's?
Quick answer to that. Their british designed 6L6's.

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No no and no

I am not sure who's left but I am guessing Groove tube are relabeled from one or more of them because there are not many makers left.
Not much call for tubes anymore!

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

I was always under the impression that GT's, Mesa'a and every other brand were just relabeled matched sets that those companies had bought in, in bulk from either Russia, China, or what was Yugoslavia. JJ may be the exception, but their a modern company. Still I wouldnt trust it if anyone told me they make their own.

I used to have a friend who went out to the Ukraine regularly and bring back a big bag full of preamp valves. We'd sit there swapping em out of the V1 position of my amp to get the best ones. We sold the rest.

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Well, on one of the websites I was reading about tubes at said groove tubes were Sovtek tubes that were relabeled.

Another site said they only sell tubes from actual manufactuers, and they list about 11 different ones on their site.

There are hoards of tubes from many manufactures out there that no longer exist for sale. Who knows how many stock piles of military tubes there are andare not made anymore and haven't been since the 60's. I could not tell you who is left. JJ I think are are made by Tesla which might be Sovtek. I have many new tubes from the 50's here at home.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Didnt Sovtek buy Svetlana or was it the other way round. I know the early Svetlana's are more desirable than modern ones.

Last I heard there were five factories worldwide making valves. It's non existent in the west. Makes me laugh when I think all these people buying mesa matched pairs for £60 a go when their getting the same as what electro harmonix or JJ are selling for £25. Then theres the other fantastic lie of modern times, "Longer burn in". Gig an amp 100 times in a year and tell me longer burn in matters.

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No no and no

Interesting thing, I never thought to type Vacuum Tubes Wiki and see what they say . Well ther a list of who is said to still make tubes., I wonder how accurate it is, more then thought!!!!

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

5 factories worldwide eh? Obviously info from a misinformed friend. Or theres been a resurgance of people starting back into it.

What I did notice though. Its a English invention. Clever fellas them north westerners. Where's Rhumba when you need him?

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No no and no

I think a lot of the ones listed are not making the tubes we use though. Many make specific tubes that are still use in the broadcast industries Microwave,TV, Radio, Shortwave

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Oh, a thread on amp tubes ... not the Tubes ...

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

The GTs in my Blues Jr actually say Sovtek on the side of them.

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MIM Std Tele, MIM HSS Strat, Homemade Mongrel Tele, Blues Jr, Champ600, coupla pedals...sweeeet!