New tubes for my Mesa

MikeA

MikeA

New member
This is my first time re-tubing my amp. Its a series I Single Rectifier. It has 2 6l6's. I was curious...in order to have the amp self bias, do I need to buy Mesa tubes, or do I have options. And if I have options whats a good tube, and where do I buy them.

I've had the amp for about a year...so I'm thinking all I need is power tubes. I did the flick test on the pre-amp tubes and it passed so i guess those are okay.

Thanks in advance :)
 
Re: New tubes for my Mesa

The amp isn't "self-biasing", it's fixed bias. As long as you get the same kind of tubes (6L6, EL34, etc) they SHOULD be plug n' play. I would probably stay away from Mesa tubes, from what I hear they are rather low quality and there are several makers of excellent aftermarket tubes out there.
 
Re: New tubes for my Mesa

TechMetalMan said:
www.eurotubes.com

The only thing you need to do in order to buy non mesa tubes is to make sure you vendor picks tubes that will work in a mesa.
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Bob at Eurotubes is a great guy to talk to if you have questions. Even if you don't wind up buying tubes from him, he just loves to talk tubes and amps and is a very helpful guy.
 
Re: New tubes for my Mesa

FretFire said:
The amp isn't "self-biasing", it's fixed bias. As long as you get the same kind of tubes (6L6, EL34, etc) they SHOULD be plug n' play. I would probably stay away from Mesa tubes, from what I hear they are rather low quality and there are several makers of excellent aftermarket tubes out there.
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What you hear is wrong.

Mesa sells rebranded tubes that've been tested for sound and durability. The tubes they sell are the exact same tubes you buy at the store.
 
Re: New tubes for my Mesa

screamingdaisy said:
What you hear is wrong.

Mesa sells rebranded tubes that've been tested for sound and durability. The tubes they sell are the exact same tubes you buy at the store.
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Perhaps what I hear applies to the stock tubes then. People have told me that they are usually poor quality Chinese tubes. I knew they were just rebrands though.
 
Re: New tubes for my Mesa

Another issue to look at is price, Mesa's tubes are far more expensive than their non-rebranded counterparts.
 
Re: New tubes for my Mesa

FretFire said:
Perhaps what I hear applies to the stock tubes then. People have told me that they are usually poor quality Chinese tubes. I knew they were just rebrands though.
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The stock tubes are Sovtecs. They use them because they can withstand shipping without breaking. I like the Svetlana's better, but some people do like Sovtecs.
 
Re: New tubes for my Mesa

FretFire said:
Another issue to look at is price, Mesa's tubes are far more expensive than their non-rebranded counterparts.
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You're paying for the 6 month warranty and the Mesa stamp of approval.

Personally, I'd buy the exact same tubes from thetubestore.com ....
 
Re: New tubes for my Mesa

I just got in my order of Groove Tube 6L6GE's. I'll tell you how they are once I slap them into my Recto.
 
Re: New tubes for my Mesa

I'll just keep buying from Eurotubes :). Same warranty, cheaper, and my personal tonal preference. Glad to know the stock tubes are Sovteks though, obviously my previous source was misinformed.
 
Re: New tubes for my Mesa

Thanks guys...keep em' coming.

I have never bought tubes before, how much does a set usually set you back? Hopefully less than $100.
 
Re: New tubes for my Mesa

I paid $77 for my full retube, which is 5 preamp tubes and 2 power tubes. A pair of power tubes should be $30-40.
 
Re: New tubes for my Mesa

screamingdaisy said:
Next time you see him, kick him in the balls. :newangel:
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Haha, yeah I'll make sure to drum him rrrrreeeeeaaaal nice.

:argue:
:butkick:
:friday:
 
Re: New tubes for my Mesa

If you buy other tubes besides Mesa then stick between 5-7 groove tube rating and no damage will be done to your amp. Mesa Svetlana 454 and 430s sound the best to me. As far as Mesa tubes go. I have tried Tesla and they are good but very dark. I have 1 tesla in the # 2 and 4 Electroharmonix preamps. The Mesa Svetlana EL34 is good too. I currently have Ruby (Chinese) 6l6 str tubes in my rectifier. I am buying a bias tester to see what tubes rule. I had an adjustable bias installed in the amp and a Voodoo mod. You should look into a Voodoo mod. I love mine.
 
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Re: New tubes for my Mesa

HOLY TRIPLE POST BATMAN! :D

Good info in this thread. Specially since I'm looking into another tube amp and a MESA in particular.
 
Re: New tubes for my Mesa

I think I'm leaning towards some JJ's at eurotubes. They seem to be what I'm looking for. :)
 
Re: New tubes for my Mesa

KLINKDETROIT said:
If you buy other tubes besides Mesa then stick between 5-7 groove tube rating and no damage will be done to your amp. Mesa Svetlana 454 and 430s sound the best to me. I have tried Tesla and they are good but very dark. I have 1 tesla and 4 Electroharmonix preamps. The Mesa Svetlana
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Actually if you're going to use Groove Tubes in you're Mesa, it's the 4,5 and 6 rateing you want to use, I was told this by a tech at Boogie. As far as Eurotubes go, the JJ 6L6's I got from Bob were the worst sounding "new" tubes I've ever had in my Dual Recto., the JJ preamp tubes aren't bad tho, a lot of gain but they lack a real good tonal quality. I like EH12AX7's or Sovtek 12AX7LPS's, they're a much better quality tube.
Doug at www.dougstubes.com is the nicest guy I've ever dealt with and is very helpful. He set me up with some SED =C='s that are the best sounding tubes I've ever used! These are basicly the same tubes as the Svet's but labeled "SED" for the European market. These tubes from Doug cost 1/2 of what the Mesa's do!
 
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