How much of an affect does V3-V5 spots have on a MESA??!?!?!

[mwalluk]

How much of an effect does the v3-v5 spots have on the tone? Right now I'm running an ei yugo - genalex gold lion ri - jj - penta and sovtek lps in the v spots. The tone is slightly more compressed, darker and slightly mushy. Any thoughts what I can do? I wanna brighten up the amp, tighten up low end and make chords present and cut through the mix. Almost think it's because of the LPS in the PI. Wasn't as abrasive when a GT was in it.

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: How much of an affect does V3-V5 spots have on a MESA??!?!?!

For starters, put the JJ in the Phase Inverter/V5 position. Don't worry about whether it's balanced, it'll work fine. IMHO, unbalanced tubes sound better in that position anyway.

I've never ran any EI, Genalex, or Penta tubes, so I can't comment in those. But I used to have a 5150 combo that had that same Sovtek tube in it's phase inverter position, and I wasn't too fond of it.

I also still recommend trying a Tung-Sol in V1. They sound nice and vibrant in a Recto this position.

But I am going to try out the Shuguangs that are in my JVM (it came stock with them in the preamp) because of what I learned about the voltage issues in one of your previous threads. I'll report back about how they sound in the Mesa.

 

[mwalluk]

Re: How much of an affect does V3-V5 spots have on a MESA??!?!?!

I also still recommend trying a Tung-Sol in V1. They sound nice and vibrant in a Recto this position.

I currently have the Tungsol in V1 now and moved the EI to V2.

Not sure if it's the PI thats messing with my tone. The EI sounded real nice in V1 when I had a different tube in the PI.

But I am going to try out the Shuguangs that are in my JVM (it came stock with them in the preamp) because of what I learned about the voltage issues in one of your previous threads. I'll report back about how they sound in the Mesa.

The Penta is a relabeled Shuguang. Think Ruby or Groove Tube. They just find and use the best Shuguangs out of the batch.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: How much of an affect does V3-V5 spots have on a MESA??!?!?!

I put tung sols all the way and my amp (rectoverb series 1 head) is anything but dull or compressed. Quite clear, gainy and defined. Could be that my cab is having an impact though (straight-diagonal 2x12 with Emi Governors).

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: How much of an affect does V3-V5 spots have on a MESA??!?!?!

I currently have the Tungsol in V1 now and moved the EI to V2.

Not sure if it's the PI thats messing with my tone. The EI sounded real nice in V1 when I had a different tube in the PI.




The Penta is a relabeled Shuguang. Think Ruby or Groove Tube. They just find and use the best Shuguangs out of the batch.

Ok, thats good to know. What power tubes are you running? I forget.

I put tung sols all the way and my amp (rectoverb series 1 head) is anything but dull or compressed. Quite clear, gainy and defined. Could be that my cab is having an impact though (straight-diagonal 2x12 with Emi Governors).

I currently have Tung-Sols in V1-V3 and JJs in V4 & V5. But none of the current production New Sensor 12AX7s are built to withstand the voltages present in V2 & V3 of my Recto (the thing I learned that I mentioned above). So that's why I'm going to give the Shugs a try.

It sucks, because I like how the amp sounds with the current setup.

 

[mwalluk]

Re: How much of an affect does V3-V5 spots have on a MESA??!?!?!

Ok, thats good to know. What power tubes are you running? I forget.



I currently have Tung-Sols in V1-V3 and JJs in V4 & V5. But none of the current production New Sensor 12AX7s are built to withstand the voltages present in V2 & V3 of my Recto (the thing I learned that I mentioned above). So that's why I'm going to give the Shugs a try.

It sucks, because I like how the amp sounds with the current setup.

I hear ya. I tried throwing the tungsol in v3 for a minute. Sounded nice. How bad would it mess up the amp in that position? Is it just a blown fuse or blown tube, or will it cause the amp's circuit damage?

I have GT-6L6-GEs for my power. I'm thinking about getting Mullard EL34s though.

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: How much of an affect does V3-V5 spots have on a MESA??!?!?!

I hear ya. I tried throwing the tungsol in v3 for a minute. Sounded nice. How bad would it mess up the amp in that position? Is it just a blown fuse or blown tube, or will it cause the amp's circuit damage?

I have GT-6L6-GEs for my power. I'm thinking about getting Mullard EL34s though.

That's the thing that worries me too. Will it just eventually blow the tube, or will it possibly screw up the amp it's self when the tube goes? That's why I'm going to give the Shugs a try.

Mine came with JJ 6L6s in it, and they were way too boomy and flubby for me. The Mullard EL34s were on my short list, but ended up getting tue Svetlanas instead, since they are supposed to have the tightest bottom end. I've been happy so far. I just wish my Recto could take 6550s, then I would be very happy.

 

[mwalluk]

Re: How much of an affect does V3-V5 spots have on a MESA??!?!?!

May have to check out svet as well.

Ended up putting a Tungsol sovtek lps jj penta and jj 803 combo.

Sounds a lot better. Still slighty dark and extremely boomy on low end. It's getting there. May try getting Mullard for v1 and v2 too tame the gain some

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: How much of an affect does V3-V5 spots have on a MESA??!?!?!

The owner's manual for your amp tells you exactly what role each tube plays in the circuit.

Mesa's tone controls are quite dramatic in their effect. I can't imagine needing to resort to tube swapping in order to get a tone I want from a Mesa. Have you really tried putting any serious time into setting up the amp? For instance, try turning the bass way down. Also, read what the manual says about how the tone controls are interdependent.

 

[mwalluk]

Re: How much of an affect does V3-V5 spots have on a MESA??!?!?!

I had Mullard in my vht deliverance. They really calme the gain down. I never needed all that gain but enjoyed the option. Hopefully the theory works for the recto. Throw couple Millard's in and some new el34 should tighten the low end and make gain more useable.

Not getting greedy though. I'm liking the tone more tonight than last few days. I don't mind my clean dark but I need the distortion to really stand out.

Messed with my nova system that just came in. Sounds good but going be a ***** to set it up ha

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: How much of an affect does V3-V5 spots have on a MESA??!?!?!

I tried some current production Mullards in my Recto and found them to be a dark sounding tube. Also bear in mind that they are made by New Sensor in the same factory as the Tung-Sol, Electro-Harmonix, and Sovtek 12AX7s, so I'm guessing they have the same voltage issue.

 

[Van Noord]

Re: How much of an affect does V3-V5 spots have on a MESA??!?!?!

I have a mix of Chinese and EH/Sovtek in mine. I like that they took away a lot of the modern sterile quality that the amps gain and treble freqs normal have with Rectos. Every spot has a difference imo. If not on sound, than definitely an affect on the feel and response.