Tubes For a Rectifier

[HolyDirt]

What are the best tubes to put in a 50 watt mesa rectifier if i play heavy, dark chord progressions, along with metallica-style solos and smooth cleans?

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Tubes For a Rectifier

What are the best tubes to put in a 50 watt mesa rectifier if i play heavy, dark chord progressions, along with metallica-style solos and smooth cleans?

Are you talking preamp tubes, or the output tubes? Are you using 6L6s or EL34?

John

[JALIN]

Re: Tubes For a Rectifier

I have the Series II Single Rect, I chose to drop in a pair of JJ6L6GC power tubes and it was a great improvement over stock. My preamp tubes are waiting to be replaced.

[Scott_F]

Re: Tubes For a Rectifier

JJ ECC83S (12AX7) preamp tubes are the best inexpensive new production option out there for you IMO.

the new Groove Tube mullard-copies 12AX7-M tubes are very nice and I like them better than the JJ's, but they are also twice as expensive.

Most folks will tell you that you have to experiement with different brand tubes. Just because one is 4 times as much as the other doesn't mean it's going to sound 4x as good in your amp.

I'd have to defer to someone that plays Mesa rect amps to come in and tell you what they like in there amps. I no longer have any Mesas here.

[HolyDirt]

Re: Tubes For a Rectifier

Are you talking preamp tubes, or the output tubes? Are you using 6L6s or EL34?

John

oh, sorry, i'm talking power tubes, 6l6's. dont they have to have a low tolerance(+-%) for a rectifier because of the whole mesa biasing thing?

[mrid]

Re: Tubes For a Rectifier

I like Shuguang 9th gen 12AX7's in my Mark IV. They're real cheap and they sound as good if not better than other current production stuff I've tried (although I haven't tried that GT Mullard copy yet!). JJ ECC83-S's will be more smooth, though, but I prefer to hear as much crunch as possible. I'd definitely go with EL34's for Metallica...JJ's would be my preference.

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Tubes For a Rectifier

I'd put Svetlana =C= winged C 6L6's, and GT12AX7C's (I think those are the 9th Gen Shuguang that MRID mentioned). I wonder why Mesa doesn't choose a tube set like that, rather than using midgrade tubes. For as much as their amps are, they should come like that, stock.

[some_dude]

Re: Tubes For a Rectifier

For a Recto?

JJ/Telsa or Sovtek for power tubes.

EHX or JJ/Telsa for the preamp.

Just my opinion.

[Marcel]

Re: Tubes For a Rectifier

So you guys, can you sum up pls what you like about the JJ etc?

[mrid]

Re: Tubes For a Rectifier

So you guys, can you sum up pls what you like about the JJ etc?

Tight bottom end, not muddy, sweet top end, great overdrive. It's a toss up between JJ's and the winged C Svetlanas for me (which I'm currently using).

[some_dude]

Re: Tubes For a Rectifier

Tight bottom end, not muddy, sweet top end, great overdrive.

That about sums it up.

[JALIN]

Re: Tubes For a Rectifier

That about sums it up.

And the price is right.

[mrid]

Re: Tubes For a Rectifier

For a Recto?

JJ/Telsa or Sovtek for power tubes.

EHX or JJ/Telsa for the preamp.

Just my opinion.

I have heard good things about the Sovtek WXT+, and I wasn't disappointed when I tried a pair in my Mark IV. The JJ ECC83-S's are quite popular for taming an over-the-top preamp section, such as in the 5150's and Recto's. If you've ever felt that the Recto is "fizzy," definitely give the JJ preamp tubes a try.

[Marcel]

Re: Tubes For a Rectifier

Tight bottom end, not muddy, sweet top end, great overdrive. It's a toss up between JJ's and the winged C Svetlanas for me (which I'm currently using).

sounds nice!!
how are the sovtek 5881? they are in my amp at the moment.

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Tubes For a Rectifier

Sovtek 5881 (6L6) isn't bad. If they're still fresh there's no reason to change them.
However, you may very well notice a difference if you put Svetlana or JJ 6L6's in.
It just 'wakes up' your amp.