Bogner Shiva 6L6 Retube Kits

The Bogner Shiva 6L6. There are many different combinations of power tubes and preamp tubes for these amps. The kits we offer here are the most distinctive in tonal character, forged from many years of research. Every kit is configured to provide a specific sound/experience.

The default power tubes for all of these Retube Kits are the JJ 6L6GC’s. These tubes follow the classic 6L6GC sonic archetype with big lows, smooth mids and crystalline highs. What sets them apart is their low end clarity, mid-range detail and very clear highs without being overbearing or harsh.

Other 6L6 family options include the JJ 5881’s. The JJ 5881’s are a Classic 23 watt 5881 in a traditional stubby bottle. “Jangle” for days and a very warm full tone. Right in-between the JJ 6L6GC and the JJ 6V6S in power. If you’re looking for that early-breakup “tweed” era character these are it.

The large bottle options include the JJ KT66’s, the JJ 6550’s, and the JJ KT88’s. The JJ KT66’s are one of our favorite tubes here at Eurotubes. These tubes have a clean low end response with a forward mid-range and articulate highs. When overdriven these tubes crunch up early in the upper mids and highs resulting in an incredibly complex tone that retains excellent low end clarity (just like the originals). The JJ 6550’s are very warm with a great clean tone and the breakup is raw, crunchy, and gritty. If you want an Angus – AC/DC type tone then these tubes really deliver! They are simply a lot of fun to play. The JJ 6550 will not make quite as much power as the JJ KT88 and the KT88 is a bit thicker sounding. The JJ KT88’s are extremely thick and rich sounding, they are a very high power tube with lots of headroom, thunderous lows, thick/aggressive mids, and sweet detailed highs.

The Standard Retube Kit is as close to OEM as possible. Maintaining the amps stock level of headroom and gain while providing a warm but even handed overall sound. The kit includes one matched pair of JJ 6L6GC’s by default, one Balanced JJ ECC83S for the phase inverter (V7, see the Tube Chart below for placement) and six Standard JJ ECC83S’s for V1 – V2 – V3 – V4 – V5 – V11.

The Gold Pin Retube Kit uses the JJ ECC83S Gold Pin variants to provide a smoother, creamier, and more singing overall sound. This option is less aggressive and has less “teeth” when driven hard. If you like a classic raunchy gritty overdriven tone, we recommend looking to the Standard or High Gain option. If sweet, open, and more refined is what you’re after this kit will do it. The kit includes one matched pair of JJ 6L6GC’s by default, one Balanced JJ ECC83S Gold Pin for the phase inverter (V7, see the Tube Chart below for placement), and six Standard JJ Gold Pin ECC83S’s for V1 – V2 – V3 – V4 – V5 – V11.

The High Gain Retube Kit uses our hand picked high gain selected JJ ECC83S’s. If you’re looking for maximum crunch and grind this is where you want to be. Sonically this setup is very similar to our Standard Retube Kit but with a little extra gain on tap. The kit includes one matched pair of JJ 6L6GC’s by default, one Balanced High Gain JJ ECC83S for the phase inverter (V7, see the Tube Chart below for placement), two Standard ECC83S’s for V5 – V11 and four High Gain JJ ECC83S’s for V1 – V2 – V3 – V4.

The ECC803S V1 Option Retube Kit uses the Long Plate JJ ECC803S in the V1 position. The JJ Long Plate ECC803S has a little lower gain with big thick mids and a little more sparkle in the highs. The kit includes one matched pair of JJ 6L6GC’s by default, one Balanced JJ ECC83S for the phase inverter (V7, see the Tube Chart below for placement), five Standard JJ ECC83S’s for V2 – V3 – V4 – V5 – V11 and one Standard JJ ECC803S for V1 (closest to input jack).