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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »

Permalink Guyatone 6V6GT vs. 6K6GT

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I picked up a used Guyatone reverb unit at a good price yesterday. I was surprised to see a NOS 6V6GT installed since the company literature mentions a 6K6GT tube. I asked Guyatone for a schematic and it shows 6V6GT.

I've been doing some searching for info on swapping a 6K6GT for a 6V6GT and there seems to be a few opinions out there that state it shouldn't be done because the 6K6GT isn't as strong at a 6V6GT. The Guyatone schematic does not have voltages listed, so I'm not sure if this applies. I would like to give this a try. Would anyone here recommend against using the 6K6GT in this unit?

The reissue Fender reverb units come with a 6V6 but many, including me replace it with a 6K6 which cuts down the treble bite. The 6K6 tubes are no longer in production so they didn't make them stock but they are still plentiful and inexpensive.

Well, probably too late now, but I might caution against using a 6K6 tube in place of a 6V6 in a modern piece of equipment.

The 6K6 was essentially an AM car radio tube from the 1950's...perhaps I exaggerate, but not much. The 6V6 was a higher powered amplifier tube and as such (while not having consulted a tube manual) may normally run on higher voltages. 6K6 may sound blissful for a while then burn out...or just burn out.

While I don't know the exact circuit the Guyatone uses, I might use the analogy that one must be careful when selecting 6V6 tubes for a Fender Deluxe Reverb...some of the Soviet one cannot withstand the voltages the DR will run them at.

If you tried the switch, I hope it works out for you.

Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most...

Last edited: May 23, 2011 20:03:19

Thanks. I did find some more info after posting and I considered the differences. I also contacted the US distributor of Guyatone and the person responding seemed to think the two were interchangeable in this unit. I took a chance and picked up two NOS 6K6 GTs for $10 from Ebay and I have one in there now. I figured if it burnt out, I'm not out much and can always pop the 6V6 GT back in. It sounds great and a hell of a deal for $315 shipped. This is my first tank and I wish I hadn't waited so long.

I also recovered the black tolex front panel with "Fenderish" grill cloth. Yes

Last edited: May 26, 2011 00:59:23

Glad that it worked out for you!

As we say on another board, "It didn't happen without pictures" Big Razz
Lets see your new baby...

Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most...

Last edited: May 26, 2011 07:21:11

Still working on low budget ideas to ditch the yellow faceplate.
image

Last edited: May 28, 2011 09:52:45

Hmmm, all I can see (budget not-withstanding) is perhaps Marshall or maybe Dr. Z...possibly a Vox 700-series? None particularly surf-like No

Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most...

Brendan wrote:

Still working on low budget ideas to ditch the yellow
faceplate.
image

I covered mine with a thin piece of stainless steel shimstock -

image

Bill S._______

Brendan wrote:

Still working on low budget ideas to ditch the yellow
faceplate.

I have to recommend www.amplates.com. I used them and am very happy with what they did. It's probably not going to be "low budget" but shouldn't be too bad. Worth looking into regardless.

Good hunting!

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