did you use anything other than the amp to try getting a nice distortion? I think i found out what's holding me back. I've got 3 GE 6l6-GC's and one of them isn't glowing nearly as bright as the others. The other isn't a GE and the metal plate on top isn't the same shape. Its a 6l6-GC though. Im guessing a new set of Ruby's and a bias would help out tremendously.