DaveH

For new manufacture, I think the SED 'winged C' are the best 6L6 out there, followed closely by the Shuguang 6L6. The Shuguang are quite tough, and are WAY cheaper than SED's, but I believe production stopped on those earlier this year....there should be enough stockpiled that availability won't suffer for awhile. As for 12ax7, in high gain situations I've had good results with both the EH and JJ, with the JJ being a touch brighter in my experience. For lower gain applications, I've liked the GT 12ax7-m, but I've heard of others who've had bad experiences with these....might be some consistency issues in play here. There are also some new ones being manufactured under the TungSol name which are supposed to be exceptional, but I haven't tried any yet for myself.

All the time. It's pretty cool, and really is convenient as hell....you can practice anytime, virtually.

Hey there Saxon, Neat little tidbits that you shared there, thanks. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY that I seem to talk to has ever heard of these bands, so it's really cool to run into someone who has not only heard of them, but still listens to them on a regular basis like myself. Buzz Shearman and Guy Speranza are two of my all time favorite rock n roll singers. You'd automatically get two points if that system was still in effect here! Btw, they realeased a Moxy compilation about 8 years ago titled 'Self Destruction', which contained a single by the Buddy Caine Band.....have you ever seen a release by them? It was a pretty cool cut. I'd like to find an album from them if there's one out there anywhere. Dave L: I was under the impression that it was Speranza who grew weary and quit the band, rather than being ousted(?). Either way, both he and Rhett were dealt some pretty crappy ways of checking out of this life. The early Riot SHOULD have made it big, but were ultimately set up for failure by the the record company....Sammy Hager sort of layed a screwing on them too, from the accounts I've read.

Here's three of mine: Moxy Riot (no, NOT Quiet Riot!) The Godz Moxy was strictly a 70's band, but they were ahead of their time...a Canadian band that really kicked serious ass. Riot is still around I believe, but after their original lineups ('76-'81) I lost interest...the early stuff kicks ass, Mark Reale is an awesome player. The Godz are still around too I think, although not recording...again, late 70's into the '80s, they're just a biker band from Ohio that liked to party and played good rock n roll.

The SH6 Distortion is actually my favorite pup. Much clearer than a JB, it can drive an amp hard, it cleans up very nicely when the guitar volume is rolled back (and it keeps the chime). They've sounded good in every guitar I've tried them in. I think it's Travis who also likes these pups really well....maybe he'll have something to add. Try the pup, and give it a chance.

Hope so.....