Mesa Tubes??

[HetfieldRules]

Okay guys....i am new to the tube world....and i saved up and went for broke and invested in a Mesa Triple Rectifer Solo Head .... yeah bit much, but i LOVE the tone....im just curious how big a difference tubes make in your tone....i know different manufactuers allow for different tone...but i notice on the back there is a switch to go from Vacuum(normal) to Silicon(Hi Power) ...i was wondering if that is going to lead to just higher volumes or more gain or what? ...i've had the amp for about 6 months so the stock tubes are still in there...and i know i dont need to change the tubes anytime soon....i was just curious...thanks

-Rob!

 

[disturb]

Re: Mesa Tubes??

I have one. I really like it. Sounds pretty rough until you find the sweet spot for each channel. I use JJ preamp and power tubes in mine. They sound better to me. The vacuum tube/silicone switch is to select which rectification you want. Silicon is tighter and brighter. Vacuum is looser and warmer. I only use the vacuum tube setting. Can't stand the silicone setting. I use my Triple mostly for rehearsals, or a Marshall, but it sounds good. People who slag them, just don't know how to dial them in. For gigging I'm using a Diezel.

 

[marvar]

Re: Mesa Tubes??

IMO Mesa tubes are the worse, most are relabelled Sovtek- I tried some in my Marshall and all I got was harsh, sterile tone.
Here is a link to Groove Tubes as it relates to Mesa tubes.
http://www.guitaramplifierblueprinting.com/groovetubes.html
scroll down the page and you will see a chart that gives you the GT rating equivilant to Mesa tubes. Pay close attention and stay within the same ratings, as most Mesa's have a fixed bias.
JJ tubes do sound very good in a lot of amps, not so great in others, I don't have any experience with Mesa amps, so I can't comment. But if you read more on the ampblueprinting sight, you may get some ideas as to what would give the tone you are looking for.

 

[SoCalSteve]

Re: Mesa Tubes??

I'd always read the internet posts about how Mesa tubes suck...........and I have to agree. I had 2 preamp tubes get very crackly/noisy within 2 months. I replaced the tubes in V1, V2 and V5 (phase inverter) with Tung-Sols and the amp runs quieter. My gripe isn't as much about the tone of the tubes as it is the reliability. To be fair, Mesa did send me 2 replacement tubes.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Mesa Tubes??

BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING ELSE.....

You need to download and READ the owner's manual for your amp!

You can easily download and print the Mesa Owner's manual for your Rectifier. If you don't understand how tubes work and the function of the knobs and switches on your amp, the Mesa Web-site is the place to start. If you want to get the best out of your amp, you MUST understand the controls--cause Mesas work very differently than many other amps.

So READ the book!

Another point. If you have a new Triple Rec, and start messing with tubes from another manufacturer--if it somehow screws up your amp, Mesa will VOID your 5-year warranty. So think VERY CAREFULLY about taking tube recommendations from just anybody.

Check out the Boogie Board at www.grailtone.com.

Bill

 

[guitarded]

Re: Mesa Tubes??

Try this link.... http://www.eurotubes.com

They sell complete JJ retube kits for most Mesa Boogie Amps. I have retubed my Mark IV with good results. They are also very quick to ship.

 

[HetfieldRules]

Re: Mesa Tubes??

well i bought the amp brand new so i have all the manuals and what not .... the other thing is the website says i have 5 Pre and 3 Power tubes .... but i have 9 tubes ..... 6 pre and 3 power .... is this a misprint or what? ...really i just want to know if by switching tubes to silicon will it have a heavier sound? or if changing tubes in general will change my tone as much as say changing speakers in a cabinet

 

[devastone]

Re: Mesa Tubes??

You can't have 3 power tubes, either 2, 4, or in the case of the triple recto, 6. The power tubes are the big ones, 6L6s, the preamp tubes are the small 12AX7s. There are also 3 medium size rectifier tubes, 5Y4s or something like that, don't remember off the top of my hear, I like my SS rectifiers.

 

[guitarded]

Re: Mesa Tubes??

well i bought the amp brand new so i have all the manuals and what not .... the other thing is the website says i have 5 Pre and 3 Power tubes .... but i have 9 tubes ..... 6 pre and 3 power .... is this a misprint or what? ...really i just want to know if by switching tubes to silicon will it have a heavier sound? or if changing tubes in general will change my tone as much as say changing speakers in a cabinet

You should have
6 Poweramp Tubes 6L6
5 Pre-amp Tubes (V1 thorugh V5) 12AX7
3 Retifier Tubes (5U4G)


The Silcon/Tubes switch selects if you want tubes or diodes to clip (distort) your signal. Tubes are warmer and more vintage.... diodes are more modern sounding with a harder clip. Do you have a manual for your amp?

http://mesaboogie.com/manuals/3chRecto.pdf

 

[HetfieldRules]

Re: Mesa Tubes??

i do havet he manual....thanks for the link though ...after reading through it i noticed a new things....1st off my whole concept of tubes.....WAY off...but thats besides the point...i get it now....the major thing i noticed is my amature attempt at dialing in tone.....im used to a SS amp where basically i needed to crank most of the EQ's to get the tone i want....and all over the manual i notice they keep telling you not to put the Treble past like 2:00...i have mine at like 5:00...is it just the fact that i am not using the presence knob where i should....my current EQing is Presence 10:00, Master 10:00, Gain 5:00, Bass 3:00, Mids 8/9:00 and Treble jsut about cranked ..... i like my tone....i just wanna know if i am hurting my amp....or if there is a more appropriate way of dialing in that kinda tone....im looking for so good ol Metal tone....bit more of a modern feel...idk i put a lot of money into the amp i wanna use it right and get my moneys worth....

 

[anewdefguitarist]

Re: Mesa Tubes??

the manuals have designated sweet spots for each knob. i think you having some of those cranked like that might just be overkill (ie you may get the same sound with treble at 7 and presence at like 7-8. i normally dont push mine past like the 4-5 O'CLOCK area. i feel that after that, it just gets kinda stupid, lol.