Guitar Amp
45WFender Bassman
Fender 5F6-A Bassman (1958-60). Fixed-bias 6L6GC push-pull. The amplifier that launched a thousand designs. Foundation of Marshall and Mesa.
Fender 5F6-A SchematicAmpera
6L6GC Tetrode Vacuum Tube
Tetrode6.3V / 0.9AOctalSPICE
Beam power tetrode rated at 30W for high-power output stages
Datasheet ↗SPICE
8
22.5kΩ
6.0mA/V
10.0pF
0.6pF
6.50pF
GAIN8%
POWER75%
DRIVE78%
LINEARITY95%
SPECIFICATIONS
Heater6.3 V · 0.9 A
Max Plate Voltage500 V
Pa max30 W
Gain Factor8
gm6 mA/V
rp22.5 kΩ
Inter-electrode capacitances
Cgk10 pF
Cgp0.6 pF
Cpk6.5 pF
PinoutOctal
Era1958
RarityCommon
Source datasheets
7 manufacturer datasheets cross-checked for 6L6GC
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The 6L6GC is the heavy-duty version of the 6L6 beam power tetrode, originally developed by RCA and later adopted as the defining output tube of American amplifier design. It delivers 30-50W per pair in push-pull with a clean, tight, punchy sound characterized by strong bass, scooped mids, and crisp highs compared to the more midrange-focused EL34. The 6L6GC is the sound of Fender Twin Reverbs, Mesa Boogies, and virtually every American-voiced guitar and hi-fi amplifier. GE, RCA, Sylvania, and Tung-Sol made the most respected NOS versions; current production from various manufacturers is abundant.
APPLICATIONS
High-power output
Fender Twin ReverbFender BassmanMesa Boogie Mark series
• Guitar amp• PA/public address
VS 5881
HISTORY
Introduced1958ManufacturerGE·Sylvania·RCA
Golden AgeMETRIX TESTER
Test this tube on a Metrix
CLASSIC CIRCUITS
Guitar Amp
60WMesa Boogie Mark Series
Randall Smith's high-gain design. Fixed-bias 6L6GC with cascaded gain stages. Tight, focused overdrive with scooped mids. Carlos Santana, Metallica.
Mesa Boogie Mark Series SchematicGuitar Amp
85WFender Twin Reverb
Fender's flagship clean amplifier. Fixed-bias 6L6GC push-pull with spring reverb. Pristine headroom and sparkling cleans. The studio standard.
Fender Twin Reverb Schematic (AB763)