Tube questions

[Nubus]

I have to buy some tubes for my friend's silverface fender super reverb.
I don't understand what the GC means in 6L6GC, can somebody please explain what is the difference between it and 6L6? I also get confused reading 5881, is that the same thing as 6L6?

[Nubus]

Also, I cannot find out what tubes were in there now that they have been stolen. The one that remained says Fender on it, but that's it. Seems like some people are using 6l6, and some 6l6gc. I just wonder if I can cause damage to the amp by using the wrong set... if so I will take this to a professional because the amp is really old.

[dagosto]

This is just a wild guess but something tells me the gc stands for Guitar Center (666)

[Professor Riffs]

Originally Posted by dagosto

This is just a wild guess but something tells me the gc stands for Guitar Center (666)

This name must never again be spoken.

[smopo24]

Originally Posted by Professor Riffs

This name must never again be spoken.

seconded

[lukedavo]

thirded (turdead)

GC work there, and be a intigral part of the soundtrack of torture. For christ sake give that kid some headphones, and yes "stairway denied".

[smopo24]

exqueeze me? ah, baking powder?

[Arman Tanzarian]

(from http://www.thetubestore.com/tubeinfo.html#q1)


1. What do the numbers and letters in a tube's name mean?
There are several different tube numbering systems that you may see on tubes, which generally are a result of where they were built. Most commonly the numbers contain digits only (e.g. 5751), or are some combination of numbers and letters (12AX7, ECC83, CV4004). These different numbering systems may be from the American or British military, or from American or European industrial or consumer use, and then of course there are many strange exceptions. But to use the notation commonly seen in the United States, here is the meaning of "12AX7":
12 - the filament voltage
AX - an arbitrary model number
7 - the number of internal elements, including the filament
To make things more complicated, many tubes have letters after the name, such as 6L6WGB, 6L6GC. Sometimes these letters mean functionally nothing (design revisions) and sometimes they refer to different voltage capabilities of a given type.

[Whoopysnorp]

As said, the GC has nothing to do with Guitar Center when appended to the end of a 6L6--it's just a design revision. Most 6L6 types should be compatible with each other, and I think 6L6GCs are the most common ones. I believe 5881 is a similar tube type to 6L6s but they are not straight replacements--most amps using 5881s would require a minor modification to accept 6L6s. I don't know if the same holds true the other way around, but it might.

[Nubus]

Thanks guys.
Are tubes made by Electro Harmonix, Groove Tubes, and Svetlana all the same company?