Watford Valves

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Watford Valves - Test Reviews 6V6GT Guitar Test Reports 2011-2 INTRODUCTION: Weber mass 100 Attenuator. Introduction This is a good valve if you are only playing in clean mode but not so good in Pedals: the overdriven settings. The Original American designed 6V6G Butler tube driver, Butler blues driver, and the smaller brother the 6V6GT is a Keeley TS808 tube screamer Keeley beam tetrode was introduced in the late SD-1 overdrive. 1930’s and was widely used as a low Guitars power output valve for the automotive 1973 Fender Stratocaster. 1981 Yamaha industry. Many early guitar amplifiers SA 2000S, 1993 Gibson Les Paul used this valve as they were cheap and Standard, 1978 Gibson Les Paul Custom plentiful. blues fitted with Seymour Duncan 1959 PAF recordings used the 6V6 valve cranked pickups, 1983 Fender Telecaster Elite. to the full in a lower power Fender 2006 USA vintage Fender 52 reissue amplifier. The 6V6GT valve is housed is Telecaster Indeed many early 6V6GT/AZDAM/PHILIPS in a small squat bottle and generally has 6V6GT/AZDAM/PHILIPS: 6V6GT/G.E.1953: 7-6V6GT-AZDAM Dutch production 3-6V6GT-GE 1950’s Production. HOW WE TESTED: This valve is still available from some These original 1950’s production items Object of the test suppliers and was made by the Dutch are still available from many valve To evaluate the sound quality and Philips organization and distributed in suppliers and are still one of the most reliability of the new batch of 6V6GT Europe under the Azdam brand name. sought after 6V6GT of all time. The main types that have come available since our The Azdam again was modeled on the feature of the G.E 6V6GT is it big open last test reports in 2005.To compare RCA 6V6GT design which was the musical sound. In clean mode classic these against the best new old stock industry leader. Strat and Tele sounds were easily dialed types for use in guitar applications. All In clean mode the valve has plenty of in. The bass is rich, warm and fat, great valves were selected with the same bass and mid range. The treble was well for going from open chords to crunching electrical characteristics and gain. The forward and bright. This giving the power chords. In this mode and the same equipment was used as for all our impression that the valve was not that detail of a Strat and the twang of the previous evaluations with the addition of well balanced. The top end was bright Tele was a dream. The midrange was some different speakers. with plenty of Fender jangle. This was very smooth buy well forward in the mix. great and worked really well with the This really worked well with the Yamaha Jensen P12R in clean mode. Like the SA200S semi acoustic and was the best Sylvania the valve is very warm and for blues as it produced runs which were Amplifiers & combo’s rounded. full bodied and creamy when pushed into Fender Princeton 2 reverb combo fitted In overdriven mode the valve was easily with Jensen P12R as per all previous pushed into distortion with the mid range When switching to over driven the tests. taking a lion’s share of the sound stage excellent Cabinets thus leaving the treble to sound a little makes of guitar. In terms of comparisons Harma 1 x 12 cabinets fitted with a recessed. with the other new old stock valves the Weber Alnico A150 lite dope speaker Crank up the gain the bass and upper G.E breaks up slightly later than the Harma 2 x 12 fitted with Celestion Gold’s mid started to really compress. The R.C.A and Mazda but distort quicker Harma 2 x 12 fitted with Harma Clear treble also started to get harder and than the Philips. Sapphire speakers rough with a gritty edge. In this mode the Plug in the Les Paul and the play the Harma 2 x 12 fitted with Harma Vintage valve lost some of the punch and attack Sweet child of mine intro and all that Ruby speakers. and was not a refined as some of the Marshall stack tone hits you. other NOS 6V6GT tested. When in overdriven mode the G.E the less bass and earlier break up when compared to a 6L6GC type. Equipment used overdrive. T.A.D silencer Derek Rocco power Attenuator & Page 1 results continued with all 23rd November 2011 Watford Valves - Test Reviews hits you with a clear warm tight fat bass the same high gain setting compressed and vibrancy that no other 6V6GT could with power chords punchy and rounded to such an extent that all the tone was match in this test. with a beautifully smooth midrange. lost or they went flabby. In clean mode, Strat and Tele sounds Lead runs and power chords under these clean and sparkling particularly nice was conditions were more dominant with the out of phase sounds. Both guitars more top end character making single could go from clear picked notes to even note runs really cut through. crunchy chords buy just adjusting the gain. At as guess as to the reason for this, as The midrange also had a clarity and this was a military valve manufactured in sparkle which put many of the 6V6GT in the 1950’s and was intended for long life the shade. application it must be down to materials 6V6GT/G.E.1953 6V6GT/MAZDA: 4-6V6GT-MAZDA FRANCE 1950’s and coatings used in the manufacture, In overdriven mode the Philips valve Enabling the valve to operate with excelled as it provides a clean punchy remarkable overload characteristics. No overdrive with plenty of rich harmonics. other Rock valve displayed these sounds were very punchy characteristics in the same way. especially when run with the Les Paul. The 1950’S Mazda are one of my The Valves were also very low in the The Philips valve really did respond well favourite 6V6GT and these are in this micrphonic never with the addition of a little gain. This review as some dealers still have stock sounded harsh in any mode. This is the gave excellent power chords with all of these exceptional valves. most musical of all 6V6GT and is really types of guitar. department and the one to beat for all styles of music. In clean mode this valve is well balanced The other real major advantage of this with valve was that it did not get muddy and clarity and plenty of warm harmonics. fizzy when really pushed or lose control All the classic Fender Sounds were and get flabby in the bass area, i.e. the attainable valve compressed at the right area so it with ease from funk to Motown. is easy to find the amps sweet spot. In overdrive mode this is where this The bass area is only area that the valve sets the bench mark for all the Philips valves appeared to be a little competition lighter than some of the other valves Firstly it has the GE style sound stage which is large, detailed and tested. The Brimar 6V6GTY, Mazda & 6V6GT/MAZDA the RCA 6V6GT well balanced. had more slam particularly with the Les 6V6GT/PHILIPS: Paul. This will not cause a modern At whatever setting you set the pedal at or the amps own gain settings the more 2-Philips Jan 6V6GT 1980’s production voiced 6V6GT amplifier owners a problem but when compared to the other you pushed the valves the better the results. The sound was the most fluid The Philips 6V6GT is a robust military new old stock items in a vintage or silver harmonically rich distortion and was a grade version of the Philips/Sylvania face Fender’s then Philips bass certainly pure joy to play. The sweet child riff valve used by Fender in the mid is not as deep as these. displayed the best balance with this 1970’s.The valves were designed to valve out of all the valves tested. Single operate sustaining notes were rich; bass had withstand shock and vibration. It is classic plenty of depth even though it did show a therefore no surprise that this valve has abundance. When you consider that little less bass than the G.E or R.C.A. a history of long life and reliability. these are over half the price of the RCA in harsh conditions and What the Philips does do is provide authentic 6V6GT tone in 6V6GT and have a great reputation for The unique feature of this valve is that under full overdrive situations it produced This valve is the benchmark for that reliability. Then add the fact that the a fuller more rounded top end response. classic Fender bright and clean sound. Philips 6V6GT had easily one of the best Other valves in the test when used with The valve has a clear top end has chime Fender sounding clean sound out of any Derek Rocco Page 2 23rd November 2011 Watford Valves - Test Reviews valves tested then this is a clear winner simple turning up your guitars volume it In clean mode this valves is very warm by a mile. also cleaned up nicely in this regard. and detailed, bass is little light when compared to others and the treble Increasing gain settings on the amplifier response is very clear and rich. The with midrange is wonderfully warm which was even the slightest movement produced an instant change to the nice particularly sound. This allowed precise control over Telecaster. with the Fender the sound and an important feature of 6V6GT/PHILIPS the RCA valve that was sadly was lost In overdrive mode the valve retained is on all the modern 6V6GT and many warmth and became more forward in the NOS valves and is one of the reason mid range giving a nice punch to chords. guitarists will pay a lot of money for This resulted in some of the top end these valves. chime being lost under distortion. The nice thing about this valve is that it is not 6V6GT/VT107A-RCA: It was virtually impossible to get the RCA to bright and not too thin sounding. to sound hard or flabby and the way the Chords chugged away happily and solos RCA overdrives is also very sweet and parts were clear with a nice fat sustain. When ever you see a review of 6V6GT easy on the ear the no sharp or cutting The sustain was one of the valves strong anywhere in the world you will see this spikes. points as it was pleasing on the ear and valve mentioned. The RCA is considered The Mazda 6V6GT and the Brimar but did not become harsh even when run by most commentators as the best of its 6V6GTY are the only two valves that can at high levels of saturation. type. Designed by the one of the world match this quality. leaders in valve manufacture and driven The RCA is a musical is a musical The valve had very few downsides by a desire to dominate the valve legend and for the reason listed above indeed on extreme setting the valves did market. The 6V6GT dominated low this is one of the best, if not the best smooth out some of the bad fizzy highs output radio and guitar amplifier circuits 6V6GT ever made. that can be produced by over zealous 1- 6V6GT-RCA/VT107A from the beginning. The reasons are gain setting on the pedals. So the only simple, the bass middle and treble have downside I could find is that it is not as perfect balance and definition between punchy or aggressive under overdrive as top, middle and bottom is correct with I would like. neither one dominating the other. Hence the legend was born so for the purpose of this review these are used as the bench mark, the standard that all other are judged. In clean mode the valve is exceptionally 6V6GT/VT107A-RCA warm and sweet. Balance is perfect with clearly defined notes and definition on 6V6GT/SYLVANIA 6V6GT/SYLVANIA: chords. Fender guitars have a bell like 6V6GT-EH/SOVTEK: quality and the Tele never sound hard. 6-6V6GT-VT107A The RCA just has the most musical production SYLVANIA Early 11-6V6GT-Electro Harmonix sound and balanced sound. These first When the Electro Harmonix 6V6GT was In overdriven mode the valve breakups reviewed in our first ever test reports and launched almost 10 years ago it was the up earlier than the Mazda or the G.E. over the subsequent years these items first new 6V6GT that had been made and are fuller than any of the modern have appeared in low quantities in since the early 1960’s. This valve set the valves. The valves have a slow early various Military surplus sales so can be standards for a new production 6V6GT break up which builds with the more gain obtained. These early 6V6GT follow the and Electro Harmonix used the RCA that you give it. So in clean mode you RCA design of oval anode and internal design of the 1950’s as the bench mark. can give it a hint of distortion early on by supports. The E.H 6V6GT construction is firmly Derek Rocco Sylvania valves were Page 3 23rd November 2011 Watford Valves - Test Reviews based in the RCA design such as the 5-6V6GTY BRIMAR tone, the best of any 6V6GT tested. In oval anode plate structure and rugged this department this valve won the day internal support. It also has the positive The specially again and if you like this sound you aspects that this valves does share designed for long life military application Brimar 6V6GTY was cannot better this valve. This valve has some of the immense charm of the RCA and was generally supplied under the proved it was up with the best of all time. 6V6GT. nato contract number CV511. These items are from the late 1960’s early In clean mode with a Strat or Tele the 1970’s valve produces a slightly bass heavy soundstage. This did mask some of the In clean mode the Brimar displayed all fine picking sounds on a Strat but did not the sounds from the Strat, Tele and Les cause or Paul in all the settings perfectly. The muddiness. The bass response did any undue boominess bass response was tight, deep and well cause the mids to be lower in the sound extended. Midrange was detailed and mix thus losing some of the snap and silky smooth with excellent harmonic punch that we would liked from a Fender content .The treble was also very smooth guitar. The treble response was also with no spikes even when switching to very good as it was clear with no finger style playing. The top was not as hardness. bright or a jangley as the Philips 6V6GT 6V6GTY/CV511/BRIMAR 6V6GTB/TAD: In overdriven mode in both in terms of but the Brimar 6V6GTY was indeed the using the amps natural overdrive and only valve to come close along with the 12-6V6GTB- Tube amp Doctor -NOW then using the various pedals the EH did GE 6V6GT to the Philips clean sound DISCONTINUED change it colours. In extreme overdriven This, however did not prevent the Brimar situations the valve did start to lose a getting full marks in clean mode. little of its control and sound rough The T.A.D 6V6GTB was a Chinese design that has been around for some around the edges. In this state the bass In overdriven mode the Brimar really did years. could be made to sound flabby with the set the pace as when the volume and discontinued and has been replaced by overall sound getting hard. This treble gain were cranked up you got no fizz or the all new 6V6GT-STR hardness was a sound that you would flabbiness, no early compression to suck We have included this valve in this test really not want to replicate. It was under all the tone out you got just great rock report as many dealers are selling this high gain setting but If you backed the guitar sounds. item which has been relabeled with gain off a little and found the sweet spot The slam of the bottom end was clear various different brands on the glass. In then you would be rewarded with warm even through a Jensen P12R, but normal operation /clean mode the valve fat sustain, however this did take a little through the Alnico Celestion speakers sounds OK but has a real tendency to work to get the right balance Brimars’s rich tone, power & tight bass push the sound through the midrange. In Overall the 6V6GT-EH has remained a shone through. The valve did not lose this good sounding valve but in the last few control even under heavy saturation. The dominance the Strat and Tele chime and years it has been overtaken by the valve has a nice balance a clear sound sparkle were lost Tung-sol and the TAD 6V6GT-STR. staging This mode valve due has to since the been midrange It was it overdrive mode that the valves The valves top end did not get fuller like performance the Mazda 6V6GT yet stayed in perfect compared to the latest 6V6GT types compared poorly when balance, so you could argue that this 6V6GT-EH/SOVTEK 6V6GTY/CV511/BRIMAR: Derek Rocco was better as the sound did not change. When The midrange response under overdrive forwardness produced that classic rock and roll dominated the sound to the detriment of crunch with smooth even harmonics. the amps tone. This resulted in an Power chords has a nice punky attack unclear and undefined muddled sound. with solo lines having a beautiful rich The fizzy treble was tiring to the ear and sustain, especially the sweet child riff. In was particularly unmusical, power chords our last tests this valve had killer woman sounded too brittle and harsh. The valve Page 4 overdriven the became midrange fizzy and 23rd November 2011 Watford Valves - Test Reviews compressed really early and lost clarity treble clean and clear. The down side is 6V6GT that the higher gain can lead to a more disappoint you. If you are like me, and When we last reviewed this valve in fizzy upper treble response when the are interested in what this valve has to 2005 there was only 2 other current valve is pushed into overdrive. offer regardless of any other purist points production 6V6GT available, the TAD In clean mode the Fender Strat gave all of view then with the JJ you will be come in a poor third. Now with a number the classic tones from out of phase to pleasantly surprised. of other 6V6GT coming to the market glassy highs. The bass is warm and well including the excellent new tone, then this valve may TAD extended and chords we punchy and in The conclusion of our previous test 6V6GT-STR the old one is best avoided. your face. The valve in clean mode was reports was that this modern 6V6GT was TAD has discontinued the GTB model very well balanced so note definition was the one to beat out of the modern and replaced it with the excellent TAD clear. The increase in gain of the valve production item. The fact that it still fairs 6V6GT-STR so do not confuse the two did make it start to break up a little favorable against the two newer evolved valves. earlier than our reference set and a 6V6GT form TAD and Tung-sol can only possible a little early for some players. be for the benefit of all 6V6GT valve users. In overdriven mode the JJ did not do as well as we would have liked. The JJ was very easy to overdrive, push it a little more and the valve began to sound hard and compress. This then could turn into a fizzy hard top end which was tiring to listen to. The Princeton 2 is not the 6V6GTB/TAD highest gain 6V6GT amp on the market but it was easy to make the valve sound 6V6GTS/JJ-TESLA: a little gritty. This did not happen with 6V6GTS/JJ-TESLA many of the NOS 6V6GT or the new 13-6V6GTS JJ Tung-sol or TAD 6V6GT-STR. It was 6V6GT/TUNG-SOL RU: important to get the balance just right, The JJ 6V6GT have now be with us for this did mean adjusting pedal gain but around 7 years and these valves really when you did the right mix of gain then did well in our first reviews, in fact they JJ did provide a rich sustaining overdrive The Tung –Sol name is now owned by set out the new bench mark. So how that was made chords and riffing a joy. the Sovtek Corporation in the USA as is have things changed over the passage 15-TUNG-SOL 6V6GT used to market a range of hi specification of time and how do the new 6V6GT The JJ 6V6GT sound is more closely Russian made valves, So do not confuse compare? lined to a 6L6GC it does not have the the new Tung-sol range with the New old same overall tone of a 6V6GT. Original Stock USA made items. JJ based their design structure of the 6V6GT have a tighter soundstage with Sovtek 6V6GTS on it own 6L6GC.The valve has more mid focus. An original 6V6GT will improvements to their Electro Harmonix very large rounded anode plates and generally have a little less bass response 6V6GT design and these improvements looks like a squat 6L6GC. (Indeed many than a 6L6GC. came to bare in the Tung-sol 6V6GT. people have caught onto the fact that JJ I am not going to debate what JJ have have put a 6L6GC in a 6V6GT envelope, done with the 6V6GTS and the right or The Tung-sol 6V6GT valve is the only but I am not going to discuss the morals wrongs of this matter, I will leave this to modern 6V6GT that bears comparison to of this here).The anode is well supported the Forum ‘experts’ to debate. the USA made items such as the Philips, and the plate material is quite dense. then set about making RCA & GE in terms of balance and The gain of the batches of valves that we The only major drawback to this valve compression. have had in the past 3 years also is and it design is that the JJ 6V6GT can The top end was bright and warm with higher than our original JJ 6V6GTS. have issues with rattle particularly in no harshness in clean mode, just like the combo’s. NOS valves. It also compressed at the In clean mode the valve produces a What I will say that if you have a vintage exactly the same point as the legendary smooth clear high end with the upper 6V6GT powered amp and you want that Philips 6V6GT, So all the clean sounds Derek Rocco Page 5 23rd November 2011 Watford Valves - Test Reviews and perfect out of phase Strat sounds These are also made with very thick CONCLUSION: were excellently reproduced. glass CONCLUSION-6V6GT which made this the best performing 6V6GT in terms microphonics TESTS RESULTS 2011 When overdriven the sound was cleaner of the modern 6V6GT types. and more detailed than the Electro It was clear very early on that this valve In our first test reports way back in 1998 Harmonix or the JJ. It also had less had a great sound and that it meant the top performances were taken by the compression than EH or JJ so did not business. In the clean mode it produced classic New Old Stock valves from provide that spongy compression at an a sound that you have expected from an R.C.A, Mazda and Standard/R.C.A. The earlier point. This greatly added to the old GE or Philips/ Sylvania treble was test reports of 2005 were dominated by clarity and definition of the amp. In clear and crisp, warm fat midrange and a the NOS items but there were a few overdriven mode the Tung-sol display a tight bass response. signs of progress with the first new rich musical distortion that was really In clean mode this valve did everything production pleasing. The Tung-sol noticeably out exceptionally well. showing good results. overdriven on power chords and solo Hit the overdrive and gain settings and Since 2005 this commitment of the valve parts as it delivered a much smoother plug in the Les Paul and you find Rock factories to manufacture 6V6GT has overdrive. JJ heaven. This valve has a really touch been repaid with many name amplifier compressed earlier and sounded hard. sensitive response and it captures the manufactures launching 6V6GT based The Tung-sol classic rock sound in a nutshell. This is a designs. excelled at was microphonics, here there very easy valve to overdrive so a little were simply none, The JJ did not do as care will be needed with your settings if So in 2011 we now have a good choice well in this department. you wanted a clean boarding crunch of good sounding and reliable 6V6GT Overall the Tung-sol is and outstanding sound. valves available. items since the 1960’s performed the modern JJ & EH when other In comparison area that the the modern 6V6GTGT that starts to close the gap on the NOS American Philips, In rock mode it was punchy and well The best sounding 6V6GT are still the RCA, GE and Sylvania types. It also balanced on chords. Treble was a little NOS items so we will look at these first provides the right mix of Vintage and more recessed in its overdriven state with the top 5. modern sounds. and some more traditional players will not like this as it lost a little top end In first place due to its legendary sound response. This does have the benefit of across rock/blues and clean and the fat sustaining single notes which I prefer. musical way it distorted the winner was They produce big fat bass notes that are the 1950’s RCA 6V6GT/VT107A. well defined on power chords which is great for chugging .They also go from In Second Place came The French nice crunch to all out high gain distortion. Mazda 6V6GT also from the 1950’s and again because of it exceptional across 6V6GT/TUNG-SOL RU 6V6GT-STR/TAD: 14-TAD 6V6GT-STR If you are looking for NOS tone on a the board performance but as this valve budget then The TAD 6V6GT-STR has it was more aggressive it got my vote over in abundance. It provides classic rock The Brimar 6V6GTY which came in a with a hint of attitude my only hope is strong 3rd place which also excelled in that in 5 years time these valves will be every area. This is the newest 6V6GT to the market made to the very high standard of our and the latest in valves made in the land review items. This valve has it all and is The Philips Jan 6V6GT and the 1950’s of the rising sun. With the JJ 6V6GT a contender for the top spot of modern General Electric 6V6GT valves both setting made 6V6GT types. have some very strong virtues. The the benchmark for modern 6V6GT this needed to be good. The TAD Philips 6V6GT nails that classic Fender 6V6GT-STR again focuses it design on clean sound and worked really well with the classic RCA 6V6GT of the 1950’s. the Fender guitars. The G.E has a really The round anode plates have extensions large musical soundstage which really on them which form heat wings that will fills the room and under clean conditions help the plates dissipate more heat. Derek Rocco is not as sharp as the Philips. The 6V6GT-STR/TAD Page 6 23rd November 2011 Watford Valves - Test Reviews downside is that when overdriven hard the early compression and the loss of top end sparkle is a shame. So the deciding factor in this set up is the price, and given that the Philips in considerable cheaper than the G.E this tips the balance in favour of the Philips in getting 4th place with the General electric valve coming in 5th. The modern production 6V6GT has two outstanding valves that have come to the market place since our last test reports in 2005. In 2005 The JJ/Tesla 6V6GTS was the clear winner but in 2011 this valve has been bettered by both the Tung-sol 6V6GT and the Tube amp Doctor 6V6GT-STR. The top spot is a very close run affair with both these valves being way ahead of the pack in terms of Sonics and clarity. The New Tad 6V6GT-STR is a really great modern valve that does most things exceptionally well. The sweet child riff sings and sustains for what seems like for ages. The top honors, however, goes to the Tung-sol 6V6GT by virtue of its ability to do everything really well and by giving the right mix of bright chime clean and crunchy rock tones. 2nd place goes to the TAD 6V6GT-STR with the JJ coming in 3rd. C watfordvalves 2011 Derek Rocco Page 7 23rd November 2011