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Winged C's acceptable for RD50

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Chris Mirands (chris_miranda)
Username: chris_miranda

Registered: 06-2012
Posted on Wednesday, July 25, 2012 - 12:43 pm:   

Hello everybody, I have a RD50 and with 6L6's and was wondering if the Winged C's were an acceptable replacement in the amp? I believe I've read that the amp operates with a very high plate voltage on the output tubes. I just want to make sure I don't "pop" them and make a costly mistake.


Thanks in advance.
Bill Traylor (bozzy369)
Username: bozzy369

Registered: 02-2008
Posted on Friday, July 27, 2012 - 12:41 am:   

There have been many on here for years raving about the winged Cs in their Musicman amps,I can understand your concern,I checked and they are a little on the low side to take the plate voltages.I don't believe you will "pop" them .Don't do what most would think and bias them low(Rd's with matched tubes involved don't really have to be biased anyway)that will make them just sound crappy and won't save any of their life,I'd say they are going to run just a little hot,tha's probably why people love them,I'd imagine that will make them sound sweet.The only downfall is they probably won't last as long as a GC or a STR(my fave between the 2).
David Goldberg (ddgoldberg)
Username: ddgoldberg

Registered: 07-2011
Posted on Friday, July 27, 2012 - 08:50 am:   

I can't speak so much technically but I installed a matched pair of Winged Cs in my MM75 and compared them to a few other tube sets. Sonically, they were the cleanest and really sang, a nice solid, strong signal. At first I missed the taste of grunge I had with my old tubes (old Fenders, probably by Sylvania) but once I got used to them, they are great. I had them biased and they came out .25 and .23, close enough. Hope this helps.
Lars Verholt (lmv)
Username: lmv

Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Friday, July 27, 2012 - 01:22 pm:   

Winged C tubes will work fine. RD-50 runs with plate voltages closer to a Fender amp anyway. I've personally run Winged C in MM amps for 15+ years and never ever had a problem with them.
Fwiw, the new reissue Tung Sol 6L6 are very nice too and a tad less expensive than Winged C.

Cheers,
Lars Verholt
Mike Kaus (mm210)
Username: mm210

Registered: 05-2006
Posted on Sunday, July 29, 2012 - 04:51 pm:   

Winged "C"s are great tubes but right now, higher than hell. Don't have a clue as to why. I use JJ 6L6's and have no problems with them. I know, I sound like I'm beating the JJ drum but I can' help it that I like them. I use them in my modded bassman head(my main gigging amp) and they have given me great service. Are they RCA blackplates? No. Are they a serviceable tube yes. Old svets(winged c) are great tubes but too high to stock for service and I only install if the people bring their own. I know the TAD's are just chinese hand picks but I would try THEM before spending the extra money on "C's". You can almost buy UOS for the price of them. Mike.
Lars Verholt (lmv)
Username: lmv

Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Sunday, July 29, 2012 - 07:12 pm:   

Mike, you are right - JJ tubes are excellent, especially for the price. Their gold pin ECC83/12AX7 tube is amazing in that high gain stage on old Fender amps.

-Lars Verholt