Preferred Series 6L6GC Power Vacuum Tube (Matched)
This Preferred Series 6L6GC vacuum tube is a recent addition to our premium line of high quality tubes, where we find the best of current production and sourced to our specifications.
This 6L6 tube is a new version of the popular TAD 6L6GC-STR you might already know. Once exclusive only to TAD (Tube Amp Doctor) we contracted the Shuguang factory in China to produce a massive lot of these tubes to our specs. We think this is a better tube and at a better price.
The Preferred Series 6L6GC construction features:
- A black plate like the premium NOS RCA 6L6GC tubes from the 1960's
- Double halo-style getters
- Gold grid wires
- The filament used is low-noise
- The bottle is made with a heavy gauge glass
- And finally the blue color base is a nice touch too!
This 6L6 tube is versatile and will sound great in many amplifiers, for many styles of music. Anything from blues to jazz to metal. It is well balanced from top to bottom. The highs are smooth, clear and clean. The low end well detailed and articulate even when pushed hard. We think this is the best alternative to the famous Philips/Sylvania STR-387 6L6GC.
From our review: "This tube has a sound that I would characterize as smooth and warm. The high end is articulate but not sharp or brittle. Bass response is bigger than most but not boomy, so you still get good note definition. The midrange is very nice and thick without any tendency to sound nasal."
The Preferred Series 6L6GC tubes carry a 6 month extended warranty.
Additional Information and Downloads
Tube Matching Information:
Power Tube Matching FAQ
Perfect Pair System
Warranty Information and Return Policy
Warranty Period: 6 monthsPreferred Series tubes have a 6 month warranty from date of purchase. (Any exceptions will be noted on that tube's Warranty tab)
If you receive a tube that does not perform to the manufacturer's specifications, please do the following:
- contact us to get a return authorization
- return it via regular mail within 180 days from when we shipped it, and we will provide an exchange or refund of the full purchase price of the tube.
Returns not related to warranty or defect will be considered at our discretion, and are subject to a 15% restocking fee.
We can not accept returns that don't have an authorization, are past 6 months, or are returned improperly.
These guidelines may be updated without notice.
Ratings & Reviews
27 reviews
Preferred Series 6L6GC | Happily Surprised. Great Tubes!
by Dave
I recently changed from the stock Groove Tubes in my Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue as the old tubes were starting to go a little microphonic and seemed to have lost some luster. Popping in the new Preferred Series 6L6GC, I had hoped to save my amp and return to the original sound and reason I loved the amp when I bought it 8 years ago. But…WOW. The Preferred tubes were just far more articulate in the high end, more headroom, tighter bottom, more and better and smoother harmonics. The "Presence" knob now means something once again. The amp sounds better than stock. Very, very happy with the move to the Preferred Tubes.
Preferred Series 6L6GC | The best choice was the PREFERRED SERIES 6L6GC
by Bulyáki László
I only have good experience with the Preferred Series 6L6GC. An ARC M60 works with tubes and gives a good impression of almost all kinds of music. No matter whether you listen to Jazz, Blues, Rock or electronic music, it does well. Strong bass, great mids and highs, large enough and full of space, and most importantly, it is not a tedious sound after listening to longer. I can only recommend the Preferred Series 6L6GC electron tube …
Preferred Series 6L6GC | Solid Traditional Tone and Build
by Paddy Mac
I haven't tried these 6L6GC in any other amps yet, but they sound wonderful in my PRS MT 15 guitar amp. This amp goes from super clean, to really heavy. Mid gain comes from my Way Huge Saucy Box pedal on the clean channel. All sounds clear and musical. Best description of the tube, it does nothing outrageous, but nothing bad either. Having all your amp knobs at 12 o'clock sounds like 12 o'clock. No boomy bass or crispy highs. Easy to dial in your personal sound. 3D and musical, I'm happy with these. A solid tube, with a no nonsense solid traditional tone.
Preferred Series 6L6GC | Not shy anymore!
by Mario
I replaced a pair of 5881 sovtek wxt with these ps 6l6’s and my amp sound so clear and alive. I kept the 12ax7wa’s from sovtek that came with the amp to compare and it seems the spud is being projected out of the DeVille now, before it seems like the sound was muffled and suck inside, afraid to come out. Thx to the tube store tech for explaining the importance of matching and biasing my amp sounds amazing and to think it sounded good before, my celestions are performing effortlessly with these 6l6’s.
Preferred Series 6L6GC | 80's metalhead heaven :-D
by Furious Phil
I knew I wanted either TADs or Rubys for that huge 3D sound, so when I saw what the Preferred Series 6L6 was all about, I was very intrigued, to say the least!
Turns out that my gut feeling on these was well-founded, because they tonally benchmarked my SLO-modded Jet City HDM right up beside my friend's '04 Soldano SLO! (He was not pleased that he picked the wrong amp in a blindfold test)
Soldano-designed amps rely heavily on a superb PowerAmp section tone in order for the preamp section to do its magic. These tubes did not disappoint!
I will say that one of the tubes did exibit an issue, but these guys had a new one to me within a week to get me back up and running... no muss, no fuss.
Incredible 80's tones, superb craftsmanship and over-the-top customer service... this is the only place I get my tubes, and its where I send anyone who asks! Give these a try, you won't be disappointed