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Vacuum Tube - 5881 / 6L6WGC, Sovtek

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SKU:	T-5881-SOVT
Item ID:	004545

Starting at: $20^.65

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Type

Power

Vacuum Tubes Apex Matched

The 5881 is a very reliable tube that is widely used in many current production tube amplifiers. It has a warm tone with good 'bite.' This modern version is able to tolerate higher voltages than its 5881 / 6L6 cousins. The Sovtek 5881 delivers a warm, round tone that "sweetens" any vintage or modern guitar amp design. Built to rigid military standards, the 5881 will tolerate higher voltages than any other 6L6. In fact, they're frequently used as replacements for the old 7027 model in vintage Ampegs. Extremely consistent from piece to piece. The Sovtek 5881 has a heater voltage of 6.3 volts at 0.88 amperes. Maximum plate voltage is 250 volts while maximum plate current is 73 mA. The 5881 has a Transconductance rating of 6000 micromhos and a maximum output power of 5.8 watts.

Matched versions of this tube use Apex Matching

Part Numbers
Single or Matched	Our Part Number	UPC/EAN
Apex Matched Pair	T-5881-SOVT-MP	609722124010
Apex Matched Quad	T-5881-SOVT-MQ	609722124027
Single	T-5881-SOVT	683274021294

RoHS Compliant

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Specifications, Files, and Documents

Specification Sheet

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Product Measurements by Type (click to expand)

Product Measurements by Type
Capacitance, Cathode to Heater		11 pF
Capacitance, Transfer		1.0 pF
Capacitance, input		11 pF
Capacitance, output		6.7 pF
Cathode to Heater Insulation Resistance		4 MΩ
Filament Current (I_f)		840 - 920 mA
Grid 1 Insulation Resistance		200 MΩ
Grid 1 Inverse Current		0.5 mA
Grid 2 Current		6 mA
Height, base to top		3.25 in.
Internal Resistance (R_i)		18 kΩ - 75 kΩ
Non-linear Harmonic Distortion		15 %
Output Power (P_Out)		5.8 W
Plate Current (I_a)		60 mA - 86 mA
Readiness Time		50 s
Transconductance (S)		5.2 mA/V - 6.8 mA/V

Packaging Information
Packaging Dimensions	Apex Matched Pair version	5.1 in. × 3.5 in. × 1.8 in.
	Apex Matched Quad version	5.1 in. × 3.5 in. × 3.5 in.
	Single version	1.5 in. × 1.5 in. × 4 in.
Weight (Packaging)	Apex Matched Pair version	0.294 lbs.
	Apex Matched Quad version	0.588 lbs.
	Single version	0.147 lbs.

Product Measurements by Item (click to expand)

Product Measurements by Item
T-5881-SOVT-MP - Apex Matched Pair version	Capacitance, Cathode to Heater	11 pF
	Capacitance, Transfer	1.0 pF
	Capacitance, input	11 pF
	Capacitance, output	6.7 pF
	Cathode to Heater Insulation Resistance	4 MΩ
	Filament Current (I_f)	840 - 920 mA
	Grid 1 Insulation Resistance	200 MΩ
	Grid 1 Inverse Current	0.5 mA
	Grid 2 Current	6 mA
	Height, base to top	3.25 in.
	Internal Resistance (R_i)	18 kΩ - 75 kΩ
	Non-linear Harmonic Distortion	15 %
	Output Power (P_Out)	5.8 W
	Plate Current (I_a)	60 mA - 86 mA
	Readiness Time	50 s
	Transconductance (S)	5.2 mA/V - 6.8 mA/V
T-5881-SOVT-MQ - Apex Matched Quad version	Capacitance, Cathode to Heater	11 pF
	Capacitance, Transfer	1.0 pF
	Capacitance, input	11 pF
	Capacitance, output	6.7 pF
	Cathode to Heater Insulation Resistance	4 MΩ
	Filament Current (I_f)	840 - 920 mA
	Grid 1 Insulation Resistance	200 MΩ
	Grid 1 Inverse Current	0.5 mA
	Grid 2 Current	6 mA
	Height, base to top	3.25 in.
	Internal Resistance (R_i)	18 kΩ - 75 kΩ
	Non-linear Harmonic Distortion	15 %
	Output Power (P_Out)	5.8 W
	Plate Current (I_a)	60 mA - 86 mA
	Readiness Time	50 s
	Transconductance (S)	5.2 mA/V - 6.8 mA/V
T-5881-SOVT - Single version	Capacitance, Cathode to Heater	11 pF
	Capacitance, Transfer	1.0 pF
	Capacitance, input	11 pF
	Capacitance, output	6.7 pF
	Cathode to Heater Insulation Resistance	4 MΩ
	Filament Current (I_f)	840 - 920 mA
	Grid 1 Insulation Resistance	200 MΩ
	Grid 1 Inverse Current	0.5 mA
	Grid 2 Current	6 mA
	Height, base to top	3.25 in.
	Internal Resistance (R_i)	18 kΩ - 75 kΩ
	Non-linear Harmonic Distortion	15 %
	Output Power (P_Out)	5.8 W
	Plate Current (I_a)	60 mA - 86 mA
	Readiness Time	50 s
	Transconductance (S)	5.2 mA/V - 6.8 mA/V

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Product Reviews

5.00 out of 5 based on 5 reviews

5 out of 5

I bought matching quartet to replace my older Sovtek 5881`s...almost one full year one of these failed.Went full purple with HUGE hum from speakers.I removed the tubes and put the old pones back in...way better.They do not make tubes worth a crap anymore.I had exact same issue with RUBY...brand new,one failed in about 2 months.So far the MULLARD EL34`s are holding up.

JimmyZ - December 25th, 2019

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5 out of 5

These Sovtek 5881 tubes are perfect for my 1966 Supro Thunderbolt. This amp runs the tubes hot and they just seem to like it that way. Nice crunch when pushed hard.

bowthom - November 16th, 2019

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5 out of 5

These things sound RAD! Tight, nice compression.

Adam 1000 - February 9th, 2019

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5 out of 5

Very pleased with the "sound" of these Sovteks. Smooth midrange and high end with solid bass. I like these better than some of the more expensive 6L6's

Jim Bilenda - January 29th, 2017

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5 out of 5

Good basic power tubes

Rick Shaw - April 19th, 2015

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Questions and Answers

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Hello which is the Max Dissipation Watt for this tube?1 answers

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Asked by Anonymous on November 19th, 2015.

Answers (1)

JustinG

Staff Member

Top Contributor

November 19th, 2015

The Max Dissipation is 23.5 watts.

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Good for a line 6 spider valve mk11 hd100?1 answers

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Asked by Anonymous on February 23rd, 2018.

Answers (1)

Matt H.

Staff Member

February 28th, 2018

From the Line 6 Spider Valve mkii HD100 manual, your amp takes a pair of 5881's and these should work.

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Need set of 6 tubes for 1978 Fender Super twin amp. Single or matched? What’s the difference?1 answers

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Asked by Anonymous on March 10th, 2020.

Answers (1)

BradWbr

Staff Member

March 11th, 2020

Power tubes are electrically matched so each tube will have the same amount of “idle” plate current and amplification characteristics when used in an amplifier. This is done so the tubes can work together in your amp giving you optimal sound quality and tube longevity. Matched tubes also receive extra quality checks to reduce the possibility of getting a faulty power tube that may have slipped by the manufacturer.

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Will I have to re-bias my ‘66 Fender Super Reverb if I install these sovtec 6l6WGC power tubes. I am handy with most repairs, but not at the level of a qualified amp tech. Also the same with changing out the rectifier tube (5U4GB) ?1 answers

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Asked by Anonymous on October 28th, 2020.

Answers (1)

BradWbr

Staff Member

October 28th, 2020

We aren't able to say whether or not your amp will need to be rebiased when getting a new set because that would require us to have access to detailed info on the ratings of the original tubes. It is safe to assume that your amp would need a bias adjustment when changing power tubes. Rectifier tubes do not carry the same requirement.

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