Preferred Series 6L6GC Power Vacuum Tube (Matched)

27 Reviews
Out of Stock
SKU: PS-6L6GC
USD $‎59.95
Each

Need matched power tubes? Don't worry! Price includes matching in any quantity you need for no extra charge. Need a matched pair? Just order "2" tubes. For a matched quad order "4" tubes. Matched sextets and octets are available as well.


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.

6L6 Tube TypesOther Preferred Series tubes

Additional Information and Downloads

Tube Matching Information:
Power Tube Matching FAQ
Perfect Pair System


Warranty Information and Return Policy

Warranty Period: 6 months

Preferred 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

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Sounds Amazing, Exact Copy of Vintage RCA Blackplate

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My "go-to" new production 6L6GC is the Tung Sol 6L6GC-STR - it is a fantastic sounding tube looks & sounds like the short bottle 6L6GC Vintage tubes. I bought these because of the RCA Blackplate Comparison & description. I compared to my NOS RCA 6L6GC Blackplate tubes - these seem to be an EXACT COPY weld for weld, the getters are not only the same but in exactly the right positions -even the color/sheen of the parts/plates are exact - the sound is unbelievable. Blind test compared to my NOS RCA Blackplates using a Vintage Fender 1969 Vibrolux Reverb I chose the Preferred Series over the RCA. - its sounds as described - tight bass great smooth midrange & highs - when cranked &/or using a quality O.D. pedal u get that creamy crunch whether using humbuckers or single coils.
I have been restoring, repairing, custom building amps/pedals guitar & hi-fi tube gear for 20 years & the last time I heard new production tubes sound this good was from the now defunct Svetlana Winged "C".

Work Great In Bogner Shiva

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These tubes sound excellent in a green chassis Bogner Shiva. The have a clarity and a bite that was not there with the factory tubes before they failed catastrophically. Highly recommend!

My favorite STR415 alternative!

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I have a number of vintage Boogie Mark II and III amplifiers, some of which run as much as 550pv, and with modern production tubes there are only a handful rated for PV this high. I've tried them all, and these PS tubes are the best I've found as a modern replacement for the original Sylvania 415s that came in these amps. Killer tone and so far they are very robust.

Great sound, questionable reliability.

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Bought a quad of these because they where special priced at that time. Stored them for a while and eventually used them on a Fender Twin Reverb. They sound amazing. I just love the sound; very clear, defined, balanced. However found out that they can’t be biases even to 60% without getting red plates and arch between plates. Had to bias the amp about 50%. I have sets of preferred series of el34’s, kt88’s and these 6l6gc. All sound incredible but this 6l6’s don’t stand to the specs powerwise. This been said, again , I love the sound.

These Preferred 6L6's with RCA clear tops make me want to listen, and listen, and listen

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First off- excellent service from the tube store. Shipped from Canada to Illinois in a just a couple days. Excellent, professional communication.

This Tube- In my Elekit TU-8200 along with RCA clear tops into Infinity Infinitesimal 0.3 speakers is my favorite combo. Makes for a very lively and engaging sound. Much clearer than with the stock ElectroHarmonix 6L6.

The sound in my setup was uninspiring with the stock China 12AU7 and Gold Lions.

They have a nice blueish glow which I've read is an indication of high quality.

These 6L6's with the RCA's bring songs to life. Classic Rock, fold, indie, EDM, alternative, soul - doesn't matter. They have the right kind of voodoo