A couple of days ago, Pascal was over to demo some vintage tubes in his late '70 twin 6V6 Deluxe Reverb. It's still fitted with its original Fender-branded GE 'coin-base' 6V6s ... a tube that is not necessarily covered in tone glory:
On the menu were late '40s/early '50s RCA military grade black-plate, gray smoked-glass 6V6GTs (the boxes are stamped US Army Signal Corps [I guess they wanted good tone in their field radios :wink: ]) v. early '50s Bendix Red Bank NJ 5992s... a tube used in Korean War-era aircraft radios:
After some rip-roaring but not especially scientific 'inquiry', the RCAs were a little brighter, punchier in the bass, and well-balance up and down. By contrast, the 5992s are for folks who like red meat; a darker, smokier tone with more timbre; also a little less volume v. the same amp setting; both with plenty of 6V6 crunch which is the signature of the type. For any acousticals who might be peeking in, something like maple's strident, ringing quality v. rosewood's deeper, chewier, arguably somewhat more musical tone.
Anyway, Pascal came by on Tuesday in his daily driver sport ute but today, he came by his vintage sport ute ... the Pascalmobile: a '70s Citroen 'Deux Chevaux' sport ute ... that's him indicating his tube choice:
For more reading on these remarkable vehicles: Click Here.
For pics of the Deux Chevaux in all its glory: Click Here.
On the menu were late '40s/early '50s RCA military grade black-plate, gray smoked-glass 6V6GTs (the boxes are stamped US Army Signal Corps [I guess they wanted good tone in their field radios :wink: ]) v. early '50s Bendix Red Bank NJ 5992s... a tube used in Korean War-era aircraft radios:
After some rip-roaring but not especially scientific 'inquiry', the RCAs were a little brighter, punchier in the bass, and well-balance up and down. By contrast, the 5992s are for folks who like red meat; a darker, smokier tone with more timbre; also a little less volume v. the same amp setting; both with plenty of 6V6 crunch which is the signature of the type. For any acousticals who might be peeking in, something like maple's strident, ringing quality v. rosewood's deeper, chewier, arguably somewhat more musical tone.
Anyway, Pascal came by on Tuesday in his daily driver sport ute but today, he came by his vintage sport ute ... the Pascalmobile: a '70s Citroen 'Deux Chevaux' sport ute ... that's him indicating his tube choice:
For more reading on these remarkable vehicles: Click Here.
For pics of the Deux Chevaux in all its glory: Click Here.