Gonna change the tubes in my Mesa Stiletto...

phil_104

phil_104

Cheesesteakologist
.. to all EHX I think.

I've never really had any experience with swapping out tubes, and the effect they have on the tone of an amp. As of late I have been getting some noise from the amp (more and more), and it blew a fuse out this weekend. Guy at the shop tells me it might be time to look at tubes.

I decided I was gonna go fro strait up EHX tubes. I really don't know what I am shopping for, except that I need a pair of EL34s, and 4x12AX7 preamp tubes, that I then need to pop in.

Going into this as a total newbie. Wish me luck. Any advice would be mad appreciated!

Cheers brothers!

PS. I have a pair of old "Winged C" EL34s here that I also might try.
 
Re: Gonna change the tubes in my Mesa Stiletto...

I like EHX tubes. I like Tung-sol's better, at least, the 12ax7's. For EL-34's, Svetlana's are a nice tube. Of course, there's also NOS to consider if you got the cash.

How's your amp biased? If it's cathode biased, no worries, just swap and go. If it's fixed bias, you're gonna need to set the bias for the tubes you're installing.
 
Re: Gonna change the tubes in my Mesa Stiletto...

Fixed bias. We might have a bit of a problem....

I know I've played with the Winged Cs in there before without problem. I guess I better go back to reading some more before throwing the EHX in there.

:(
 
Re: Gonna change the tubes in my Mesa Stiletto...

Ok, I just checked Mesa's site for your amp. It's cathode biased -- no adjustment is necessary. All you have to do is decide what tubes you want, them swap them. Simple.
 
Re: Gonna change the tubes in my Mesa Stiletto...

pzaxtl said:
Ok, I just checked Mesa's site for your amp. It's cathode biased -- no adjustment is necessary. All you have to do is decide what tubes you want, them swap them. Simple.
Click to expand...

Really, I could of sworn it was fixed bias. Look at the right side of the text, where the specs are illustrated, second info box.

"Fixed bias for consistent, maintenance free performance."

http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/stiletto/ACE/stilettoACE.htm
 
Re: Gonna change the tubes in my Mesa Stiletto...

phil_104 said:
Fixed bias. We might have a bit of a problem....

I know I've played with the Winged Cs in there before without problem. I guess I better go back to reading some more before throwing the EHX in there.

:(
Click to expand...

No, it's cathode biased. The clue to that is in the manual under the section titled, "Bias notes." To change the bias in your amp requires changing a resistor, meaning, it's cathode biased. Fixed bias amps will have a trim pot for adjusting the bias.
 
Re: Gonna change the tubes in my Mesa Stiletto...

pzaxtl said:
No, it's cathode biased. The clue to that is in the manual under the section titled, "Bias notes." To change the bias in your amp requires changing a resistor, meaning, it's cathode biased. Fixed bias amps will have a trim pot for adjusting the bias.
Click to expand...

Wicked bro! Thanks for the info! Gonna have fun with this!
 
Re: Gonna change the tubes in my Mesa Stiletto...

Well, the term, "fixed bias" is misleading since a fixed bias amp is adjustable, (via trim pot) and a cathode biased amp is not, (unless you change out the resistor controlling bias current.)
 
Re: Gonna change the tubes in my Mesa Stiletto...

When getting in touch with the dealer, tell him (or her) that it's a Mesa. He should be able to get you a set that will let you avoid biasing. For the preamp, it doesn't matter, though. I'm pretty sure you can put whatever you want in there.
 
Re: Gonna change the tubes in my Mesa Stiletto...

misterwhizzy said:
When getting in touch with the dealer, tell him (or her) that it's a Mesa. He should be able to get you a set that will let you avoid biasing. For the preamp, it doesn't matter, though. I'm pretty sure you can put whatever you want in there.
Click to expand...

I'm buying from a local shop that has an amazing selection, and amazing customer service. I'll make sure to let them know. I know I'm going EHX for the preamp, but I'll be curious to see how the EHX EL34s compare to the =C= and Mesa branded tubes.
 
Re: Gonna change the tubes in my Mesa Stiletto...

pzaxtl said:
Ok, I just checked Mesa's site for your amp. It's cathode biased -- no adjustment is necessary. All you have to do is decide what tubes you want, them swap them. Simple.
Click to expand...

I'm so jealooooooooooooous. :eek2:
 
Re: Gonna change the tubes in my Mesa Stiletto...

astrozombie said:
I'm so jealooooooooooooous. :eek2:
Click to expand...

I'm telling you man. Anybody who's into the whole Marshall vibe sound thingy.... The Stiletto Ace is THE amp to have. It's just everything a Marshall should be, but better. :P

JK, but it is a great amp!
 
Re: Gonna change the tubes in my Mesa Stiletto...

One thing that's good to know is that some tube brands are relabelled by companies that test them to fall within specs of certain amps. Then they 'select' a matched set and sell it for more money.
Those tubes are sold in almost every store because they are widely available but are more expensive than tubes that come straight from the factory.
Some well known examples: EH, Ruby Tubes, TAD, Mesa, Groove Tubes.

I've found a good supplier that selects and test the tubes staight from the factory. I highly recommend going this way because you will get exactly what you want for a better price.

I've played some stiletto's (the deuce version) and they sound great! Very marshally but with more 'snottyness'. They still have that mesa low mid raunchy thing going on.
 
Re: Gonna change the tubes in my Mesa Stiletto...

phil_104 said:
I'm telling you man. Anybody who's into the whole Marshall vibe sound thingy.... The Stiletto Ace is THE amp to have. It's just everything a Marshall should be, but better. :P

JK, but it is a great amp!
Click to expand...

:lmao:

I didn't know the stiletto was a British flavored amp.
 
Re: Gonna change the tubes in my Mesa Stiletto...

Just look at it visually. ;)

But yeah, EL34 powered brit style rock machine. IMHO, it does Marshall as well as Marshall, but with more balls.

Try it some time around. I'll post my observations when I swap those tubes.
 
Re: Gonna change the tubes in my Mesa Stiletto...

Going to pick up my tubes this afternoon. Decided on the EHX preamp 12ax7, and I will try them with the original Mesa EL34s, a set of =C=, and I'll pick up a set of EHX EL34s just for fun.

I'll post about my finding later tonight.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

blakejcan
Guitar shopping in Japan. My personal experience was awesome.
Replies
12
Views
923
solspirit
solspirit
L
Put New Tubes In My Marshall - WOW
Replies
11
Views
748
Leon Of Late
L
Erlend_G
"Balancing" bias in two output tubes. (and another thing.)
2
Replies
21
Views
836
Gtrjunior
Gtrjunior
Erlend_G
Replacing stock tubes in a Blackstar HT-20mkII :)
Replies
7
Views
3K
Mincer
Mincer
R
Gretsch 6150T/6150 fix help?
Replies
1
Views
882
shupe13
shupe13
Back
Top