OffsetGuitars.com

I am going to retube my Marshall JTM30 and am trying to figure out which are the best 5881/6L6WGC power tubes for it. It has Sovteks in it which I think are original, and am reading how they aren't great tubes and were just used as that is what was readily available. There aren't many options now either, does anyone have experience with 5881s?

I'd suggest considering new old stock (NOS) or almost new old stock (ANOS). Trusted dealers sell tubes that have been still have a long life and the prices still are not too bad. I have purchased from:

Tube World Express
https://tubeworldexpress.com/

and KCANOS
https://www.kcanostubes.com/

both with very good results. Mike at KCANOS is quite responsive to emails and very good with recommendations if you have a question. True NOS are very pricey now, but your budget may allow that kind of investment. I am reasonably sure that Mike would warranty ANOS tubes for a reasonable length of time, but you might ask about that to be certain.

Best wishes.

Thanks for the tips. I went with Sovteks again, it seems to be the best for this amp. I havent bought tubes since pre covid and had sticker shock at the increases in price.

Completely understand the sticker shock issue. Please report back how the Sovtek's work out, so that I can keep on learning. I tend to worry about early tube failure with new manufacture tubes... but also hope that the quality and the pre-testing limit that problem.

I have the Sovtek 5881WXT in my Blackface Showman, they're fine.

I have vintage 5881’s in a tweed Bassman LTD and I had to lower the voltage on the plates.

i'm late but I always recommend TAD. They're my favorite for 6L6-types.

And yeah, tube prices are crazy.