TAD valves in a 5150 II?

[Tawlks]

So.. My valves are busted and I can't really use my amp, I've switched the pre's around so I figure it's the power valves.

I've used JJ and EHx, JJ I prefer but I've heard alot of bad things about reliability, EHx valves just didn't sound great but are cheap.

TAD 6l6GCs are only £15.50. and I've only heard good things about them.

I can't really afford =C= valves since they're considerably more and I'm buying a quad so a little increase is obviously four-fold.

Any advice and reccomendation is apreciated.

Cheers

Torquil.

 

[glpg80]

i agree SED =C='s are probably the go to tube and sound the best, but i have a wine taste on a beer budget.

i used to use JJ's, Rubys, and sovtek 5881's for years which is supposed to be a mil-spec version of the 6L6 bottle.

i recommend sovtek 6L6GC's for 5150's - great low end reproduction and a slight sweet character. reliability wise i have had them for over a year and still not a single problem. IMHO i really dont think ill be going to winged C's on my next retube, i cant justify the price difference or the tonal difference compared to these. best sounding 6L6 tube without going to the obvious IMHO and i have played alot of brands/types - including winged C's in my buddies 5150.

 

[roadifier]

I like the Tad short bottles in my recto. but the Tads should sound great in your 5150. I used them in my ultra plus before i put in =C=.

 

[glpg80]

hey Tawlks - there was a clip posted on the main forum comparing TAD vs SED vs two other brands of tubes (4 total) about 6-8 months ago.

search the forum for it - i remember it was a good comparison about what TAD valves sound like

 

[Tawlks]

hey Tawlks - there was a clip posted on the main forum comparing TAD vs SED vs two other brands of tubes (4 total) about 6-8 months ago.

search the forum for it - i remember it was a good comparison about what TAD valves sound like

Oh really? Thanks alot man. Do you remember what the title was? I'll give it a search. I've had reliability issues with my Peavey (valves not lasting) Maybe it's missuse, but I'm looking for reliable valves, do you know about TAD reliability/Consistancy wise?

Also, aren't Electro Harmonix built by the same people who make Sovtek valves? I researched it, 5881s are the mil spec of 6L6's but the 5150 is 6l6GC specific thus 5881s won't do. I sent off for 5881s when I first retubed it thinking it'd be cool, luckily I found out otherwise and emailed Watford Valves before they'd been dispatched and they were cool enough to change my order without hassle AND they didn't charge me the difference!

 

[Tawlks]

I like the Tad short bottles in my recto. but the Tads should sound great in your 5150. I used them in my ultra plus before i put in =C=.

I'm not too clued out on short bottle, long bottle, different getter positions, all the techical stuff basically.

Here are the ones I'm looking at.

http://www.watfordvalves.com/product_detail.asp?id=1315

 

[Tawlks]

Another thing, these Cryo JJ 6L6GCs are roughly the same price as the TAD. Is it worth it?

 

[glpg80]

hey Tawlks - there was a clip posted on the main forum comparing TAD vs SED vs two other brands of tubes (4 total) about 6-8 months ago.

search the forum for it - i remember it was a good comparison about what TAD valves sound like

Oh really? Thanks alot man. Do you remember what the title was? I'll give it a search. I've had reliability issues with my Peavey (valves not lasting) Maybe it's missuse, but I'm looking for reliable valves, do you know about TAD reliability/Consistancy wise?

Also, aren't Electro Harmonix built by the same people who make Sovtek valves? I researched it, 5881s are the mil spec of 6L6's but the 5150 is 6l6GC specific thus 5881s won't do. I sent off for 5881s when I first retubed it thinking it'd be cool, luckily I found out otherwise and emailed Watford Valves before they'd been dispatched and they were cool enough to change my order without hassle AND they didn't charge me the difference!

tawlks - you can run 5881's in 5150s - both 6L6 and 5881's are beam powered pentode tubes (connected as triodes) but internally the 5881 has increased plate and screen current dissipation capabilities by 20%. they are a drop in replacement for each other - only difference is stoutness and tone.

 

[Tawlks]

hey Tawlks - there was a clip posted on the main forum comparing TAD vs SED vs two other brands of tubes (4 total) about 6-8 months ago.

search the forum for it - i remember it was a good comparison about what TAD valves sound like

Oh really? Thanks alot man. Do you remember what the title was? I'll give it a search. I've had reliability issues with my Peavey (valves not lasting) Maybe it's missuse, but I'm looking for reliable valves, do you know about TAD reliability/Consistancy wise?

Also, aren't Electro Harmonix built by the same people who make Sovtek valves? I researched it, 5881s are the mil spec of 6L6's but the 5150 is 6l6GC specific thus 5881s won't do. I sent off for 5881s when I first retubed it thinking it'd be cool, luckily I found out otherwise and emailed Watford Valves before they'd been dispatched and they were cool enough to change my order without hassle AND they didn't charge me the difference!

tawlks - you can run 5881's in 5150s - both 6L6 and 5881's are beam powered pentode tubes (connected as triodes) but internally the 5881 has increased plate and screen current dissipation capabilities by 20%. they are a drop in replacement for each other - only difference is stoutness and tone.

Ah that makes sense to me, since isn't the 5881 designation just the English word or something? I thought that was the case but I also heard that they weren't compatable with 6l6GC specific amps?

 

[roadifier]

5881 arent a different name for 6l6's. they have less power and bass, so they make your a llittle thinner, and tighter.

 

[glpg80]

whoever told you is 100% wrong and full of shit

if you're looking for longevity and a more stout 6L6 tube try the sovtek 5881s - i used them for years when i was gigging heavily because i was eating 6L6's every 2 months. if you want a glassy character thats hard to compete for the money and sounds better than the sovtek 5881's get the 6L6GC's and they wont break the bank compared to SED winged C's

as far as TAD's go - you need to find the clip on the main forum and listen for yourself. not worth the cash and winged C's did sound the best out of the bunch. id go with 5881's for longevity or 6L6's for tone, and SED winged C's over them all. YMMV.

 

[glpg80]

5881 arent a different name for 6l6's. they have less power and bass, so they make your a llittle thinner, and tighter.

less power yes, but you have a weaker top and a stronger bottom end. very dull characterization on the top end IMHO - but they last far better than 6L6's at band volume.