Sylvania 6L6GC Differences

  • Thread starter Thread starter dead-pan
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dead-pan

dead-pan

Well-known member
Hi All,

Always on a tube journey and was wondering if anyone has experience with different Sylvania 6L6?

The older style have copper grid posts.

Then there are the str 387 and 415. Some with single or double getter.

Appreciate any thoughts.
 
Out of all my matched NOS quads of 415’s, 387’s and Sylvania 6L6GC types, My favs are my NOS Military grade Philips ECG 7581A quads ?


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… psychodave has a boatload of wisdom on this topic!
Hopefully, he’ll chime in.
 
I can't go down this rabbit hole. I know I would get addicted, and then nothing would scratch the itch.
 
SQUAREHEAD said:
Out of all my matched NOS quads of 415’s, 387’s and Sylvania 6L6GC types, My favs are my NOS Military grade Philips ECG 7581A quads ?


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… psychodave has a boatload of wisdom on this topic!
Hopefully, he’ll chime in.
Click to expand...
What are the sound differences of this set to the others?
 
SpiderWars said:
They make a difference in the Mesas. Are they the best BF Fender 6L6?...not imo. But in a Mesa Mark they are killer.
Click to expand...
I have a stupid amount of tubes due to all the amps I have.

For Fender I do like the black plate RCA 6L6.

Will try the Sylvania in the Mark 7 next.
 
dead-pan said:
I have a stupid amount of tubes due to all the amps I have.

For Fender I do like the black plate RCA 6L6.

Will try the Sylvania in the Mark 7 next.
Click to expand...
IMLE the right combo of Sylvania 6L6 plus good Tungsram preamp tubes gives you the snarliest mids that can sound incredible with the right cab/guitar/EQ settings. Intoxicating to play.
 
dead-pan said:
What are the sound differences of this set to the others?
Click to expand...
I find they sound a bit more robust, thicker/fatter, lower mids vs the Sylvania's sounding a little brighter, glassier and leaner, but overall they have a similar flavor in sound. My all time favorite 6L6GC's are European ones, but sadly they're very rare and expensive like the Italian Fivre's, French made ones (Mazda or Belvu, my favortie), and German made. The '90's Svetlana's (pre Winged C) are also great and not expensive. Sylvania and JAN Philips ECG are great, but for high gain often prefer those European ones mentioned, but hard to find
 
SpiderWars said:
They make a difference in the Mesas. Are they the best BF Fender 6L6?...not imo. But in a Mesa Mark they are killer.
Click to expand...
Yep. That's the amp that I've noticed the biggest jump in tone, the Marks I've had. But, thinking they would make a difference in my SLO at the time, negative. The wafer bottom Sovtek 5881s sounded noticeably better in that amp.
 
braintheory said:
I find they sound a bit more robust, thicker/fatter, lower mids vs the Sylvania's sounding a little brighter, glassier and leaner, but overall they have a similar flavor in sound. My all time favorite 6L6GC's are European ones, but sadly they're very rare and expensive like the Italian Fivre's, French made ones (Mazda or Belvu, my favortie), and German made. The '90's Svetlana's (pre Winged C) are also great and not expensive. Sylvania and JAN Philips ECG are great, but for high gain often prefer those European ones mentioned, but hard to find
Click to expand...

Yep, Agreed, BT!
I find the Phillips ECG 7581A’s hit a bit harder and have more punch, now, at this point, we are splitting hairs as like you say, they are all in the same close knit family, but they do have sonic differences.
 
dead-pan said:
What are the sound differences of this set to the others?
Click to expand...
No expert but they made a difference in the OG 5150's. Bigger, fuller low end. Before I bought my first 5150, I had the big ass Peavey Classic Stereo 120 power amp, thing had 8 Sylvania's in there. I pulled them before selling so I was pretty set with my block and sig 5150's for quite a few years.
 
SQUAREHEAD said:
Yep, Agreed, BT!
I find the Phillips ECG 7581A’s hit a bit harder and have more punch, now, at this point, we are splitting hairs as like you say, they are all in the same close knit family, but they do have sonic differences.
Click to expand...
Yes a bit more robust sounding. Some of those European 6L6 GC’s I mentioned are even more so, part of why they’re my favorites and I also prefer the midrange voicing of them vs the more hollow/scooped midrange of the American tubes, but both can have their place for me
 
I’ve purchased a few NOS matched STR-415 quads from Mesa in the past.
I see they’re not showing these ones on their website now?
Are they no longer offering them for sale? ?
 
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