The 6L6 is a bread and butter output tube used in many guitar amplifiers,
notably Fender amps and their clones.
Due to its popularity, there are many different 6L6s on the market. The following quick guide is intended for you
to pick the right 6L6 for your amp.
There are three basic variations of 6L6. 6L6GB/5881, 6L6GC and KT66.
6L6WGB/5881
Some call these the 23 watter. They are smaller sized than 6L6GC.
We carry
NOS 6L6WGB JAN and
Tung-Sol 5881 Re-Issue
in this group. These can replace any 6L6G, 6L6GB, 6L6WGB and 5881 types.
We do not recommend 6L6WGB/5881 if your amp calls for 6L6GC or KT66.
6L6GC
6L6GC can take 500V on the plate and dissipate 30W. It has a bigger bottle than 6L6GB variation.
NOS 6L6GC have great tone, but have become expensive due to limited supply.
JJ 6L6GC,
Electro-Harmonix 6L6EH,
SED 6L6GC-WC
and
Svetlana 6L6GC-SV
are all rugged and excellent sounding. Any of these will get the job done, and done right.
If you are re-tubing an amp that comes stock with 5881WXT+ or 6L6WXT+, consider upgrading to one of these.
We also carry what we call the boutique 6L6GC types.
Black Plate TungSol 6L6GC-STR Russian tubes,
Ruby 6L6GC-MSTR and
Groove Tubes 6L6GE Clear Top tubes.
These tubes were all custom designed for specific tone and looks that combine NOS and new.
We tried these extensively in our Mesa Boogie MarkII and Fender Tremolux. Each has a unique sonic signature that is excellent.
Whether replacing 6L6G or 5881, if you are not sure which 6L6 to get, just pick one of these current production 6L6GC and you will not go wrong.
KT66
KT66 was originally developed as European counterpart to 6L6GC.
KT66 can handle more power and has a distinctly different tone than 6L6.
In audio application, KT66 are more smoother sounding than bright and punchy 6L6.
In a guitar amp, KT66 gives more agressive voicing as demonstrated by Marshall JTM45 Bluesbreaker.
KT66 has higher filament requirements than a 6L6, so it is not a direct replacement always.
Chinese KT66
is a faithful replication of original GEC KT66, and gets great reviews used in audio applications.
Russian Tung Sol KT66 is a KT66 in KT88 form factor.
It is a very rugged tube. We have made it dissipate much more than rated power, and it barely broke a sweat.
JJ KT66 is another heavy duty KT66 that looks more like a
heavy duty KT88. This is also a rugged tube that can be pushed hard.
Note that KT66 draws more heater current than 6L6. Check with your amp maker before replacing a 6L6 with KT66.
Also, KT66 has a bigger bottle than 6L6. Check the clearance if you are replacing 6L6 with a KT66.
Unfortunately, Groove Tubes KT66HP has gone out of production.
350B
350B was a 6L6 derivative made by Western Electric.
There is now a Chinese reproduction 350B
with great original looks and excellent sonics.
These tubes have been gaining much popularity amongst DIYers or on amps where you want that vintage look.
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