Speakers for a Mesa
- Thread starter PFDarkside
- Start date
Re: Speakers for a Mesa
Duh.
People get old, lazy, less fit, and/or married.
Downsizing comes at a premium.
PS a V30/MC90 2x12 cab is a thing of beauty. Also, if you have a 50w head or a 100-120watter that allows you to pull a pair of power tubes for half-wattage, you can wire it to allow you to use EITHER OR BOTH (just gotta use 8ohm speakers if its a Mesa amp)
Duh.
People get old, lazy, less fit, and/or married.
Downsizing comes at a premium.
PS a V30/MC90 2x12 cab is a thing of beauty. Also, if you have a 50w head or a 100-120watter that allows you to pull a pair of power tubes for half-wattage, you can wire it to allow you to use EITHER OR BOTH (just gotta use 8ohm speakers if its a Mesa amp)
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Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Speakers for a Mesa
For power tubes, most of the reputable tube vendors will know what ranges are best for a Mesa amp. The Mesa tubes are pretty good, best warranty in the biz. Their Siemens EL34 is great. Other than Mesa, I like the Winged C/S.E.D. 6L6 and El34s and use them in several of my Mesa amps. Love the JJ EL84s, but I don't care for their big bottles in Mesa combos. Winged Cs are getting hard to find and expensive.
For preamp tubes, I like the Mesa tubes. The E-H 12AX7 is good, nicely clear and bright. The JJs will be darker; a full set of JJs in my DC-3 was too dark. Swapping in a couple of E-H tubes brought it back to life. The Tung-Sol I bought was DOA, got a noisy replacement.
I really liked the Groove Tubes GT-12AX7-M "Mullard" clone, but they could be great, or not...some would be too noisy for V1. Very creamy, perfect blend between E-H and JJ. Haven't tried the current Mullard branded tubes.
The Mesa SP12AX7 is a good choice for V1 when you need high gain and low noise. I have found them very reliable and consistent.
Also, you remarked about your RK I versus the RK II. I don't know if they can, but have you ever called them to see if a RK I could be factory-modded to II specs? Might be worth a dime to call.
Good luck!
Bill
For power tubes, most of the reputable tube vendors will know what ranges are best for a Mesa amp. The Mesa tubes are pretty good, best warranty in the biz. Their Siemens EL34 is great. Other than Mesa, I like the Winged C/S.E.D. 6L6 and El34s and use them in several of my Mesa amps. Love the JJ EL84s, but I don't care for their big bottles in Mesa combos. Winged Cs are getting hard to find and expensive.
For preamp tubes, I like the Mesa tubes. The E-H 12AX7 is good, nicely clear and bright. The JJs will be darker; a full set of JJs in my DC-3 was too dark. Swapping in a couple of E-H tubes brought it back to life. The Tung-Sol I bought was DOA, got a noisy replacement.
I really liked the Groove Tubes GT-12AX7-M "Mullard" clone, but they could be great, or not...some would be too noisy for V1. Very creamy, perfect blend between E-H and JJ. Haven't tried the current Mullard branded tubes.The Mesa SP12AX7 is a good choice for V1 when you need high gain and low noise. I have found them very reliable and consistent.
Also, you remarked about your RK I versus the RK II. I don't know if they can, but have you ever called them to see if a RK I could be factory-modded to II specs? Might be worth a dime to call.
Good luck!
Bill
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PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Speakers for a Mesa
RKII is substantially different enough from RKI that it's not moddable. It even has an additional preamp tube.
I've got super GAS for Lonestar. I'd hate to take a bath on my RK, but a Lonestar/Stilletto combo would suit my current musical taste a bit better than the Road King, I think.
Thanks for the tube advice.
RKII is substantially different enough from RKI that it's not moddable. It even has an additional preamp tube.
I've got super GAS for Lonestar. I'd hate to take a bath on my RK, but a Lonestar/Stilletto combo would suit my current musical taste a bit better than the Road King, I think.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Speakers for a Mesa
The Lonestar and Stiletto rig set was Andy Timmons rig for a number of years. Saw Andy perform at the Tacoma Guitar Show earlier this year and he was using a pair of Lonestars with his Signature Andy Timmons @ pedal; I think by JHS. GREAT player, great tone.
With all the talk about Rectos and Mark V Series amps, the Lonestar hides in the background a bit, but the Lonestar is a TERRIFIC amp.
Bill
The Lonestar and Stiletto rig set was Andy Timmons rig for a number of years. Saw Andy perform at the Tacoma Guitar Show earlier this year and he was using a pair of Lonestars with his Signature Andy Timmons @ pedal; I think by JHS. GREAT player, great tone.
With all the talk about Rectos and Mark V Series amps, the Lonestar hides in the background a bit, but the Lonestar is a TERRIFIC amp.
Bill
Ascension
Well-known member
Re: Speakers for a Mesa
Every single amp i have run a full set of JJ Preamp tubes in sounded like you threw a blanket over the amp. Just dark dull and lifeless!! The EH's are hot and clear but can be a little middy and bright. I am running a couple Tung Sols in both my Boogies in the Pres with a Sovetec LPS in the PI on both ( Subway Rocket and a .50 Cal + head). LOVED the tone of the very 1st of the reissue Mullards ( if you could find good ones!) but they all failed very quickly. The last round were just ok and the long plates have a tendency to be microphonic. On EL 84's I dropped a set of the new Mullards into my Subway rocket and REALLY like them in that amp. Gave it a good thick smooth full tone that had been lacking in the past and really woke that particular amp up.
Agreed on the real Wing C 34's. Looking for a good current production 6L right now not really happy with what i'm seeing.
On the speakers both my rigs seem to really like the WGS Retro 30. Have a bunch of different speakers on hand from several companies but keep coming back to that speaker with both my Boogies. GREAT crunch tones in particular with that speaker in my Blackstar 1/12 and the Subway!For power tubes, most of the reputable tube vendors will know what ranges are best for a Mesa amp. The Mesa tubes are pretty good, best warranty in the biz. Their Siemens EL34 is great. Other than Mesa, I like the Winged C/S.E.D. 6L6 and El34s and use them in several of my Mesa amps. Love the JJ EL84s, but I don't care for their big bottles in Mesa combos. Winged Cs are getting hard to find and expensive.
For preamp tubes, I like the Mesa tubes. The E-H 12AX7 is good, nicely clear and bright. The JJs will be darker; a full set of JJs in my DC-3 was too dark. Swapping in a couple of E-H tubes brought it back to life. The Tung-Sol I bought was DOA, got a noisy replacement.
The Mesa SP12AX7 is a good choice for V1 when you need high gain and low noise. I have found them very reliable and consistent.
Also, you remarked about your RK I versus the RK II. I don't know if they can, but have you ever called them to see if a RK I could be factory-modded to II specs? Might be worth a dime to call.
Good luck!
Bill
Every single amp i have run a full set of JJ Preamp tubes in sounded like you threw a blanket over the amp. Just dark dull and lifeless!! The EH's are hot and clear but can be a little middy and bright. I am running a couple Tung Sols in both my Boogies in the Pres with a Sovetec LPS in the PI on both ( Subway Rocket and a .50 Cal + head). LOVED the tone of the very 1st of the reissue Mullards ( if you could find good ones!) but they all failed very quickly. The last round were just ok and the long plates have a tendency to be microphonic. On EL 84's I dropped a set of the new Mullards into my Subway rocket and REALLY like them in that amp. Gave it a good thick smooth full tone that had been lacking in the past and really woke that particular amp up.
Agreed on the real Wing C 34's. Looking for a good current production 6L right now not really happy with what i'm seeing.
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PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: Speakers for a Mesa
I found this video, it sums it up in under 5 minutes.
I found this video, it sums it up in under 5 minutes.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Speakers for a Mesa
Good video.
My Mark V combo came with the C90. I wanted to add an extension cab, and on dealer's advice, ordered a 112 Wide-Body Closed-Back cab with the V30 as an option. This cab has a Thiele port in the front. I love this combination. I think it sounds better than the 412 V30 Recto cab I tried with a Mark V head. The combination of the open-back C90 with the closed-back V30 is a winner, and this is exactly how Mesa sets up thier 212 and 412 Road King cabs.
In fact, I found out that Mesa does not recommend using the C90 in a fully closed-back cab. They do use it in open-back cabs and ported cabs. The old 412 and 212 Half-Back cabs typically used them only in the open top. In the bottom half you'll find EVMs, V30s or even the 50-watt Black Shadow Vintage (by Jensen), but C90s in there are really rare.
My 35-watt DC-3 112 combo and my 212 Maverick both use V30s, and I like them. My Mark V:35 though, uses a C90. I called Mesa about replacing the C90, as I felt it was a bit harsh. But after a lengthy Q & A an discussion about my style (notably, I play clean A LOT!), the CSR seemed surprised that I would think about replacing the C90! We talked pros and cons of V30s, the Mesa Fillmore, and the Creamback 65 and 75. Maybe my C90 isn't broken in yet; I got lymphoma not too long after I bought it, and haven't used it much. The V30s in the Maverick and DC-3 have both been run at high volume, many times. I'm just going to try plugging in the V:35 into the DC-3s speaker and figure it out.
I will say that I really like using a mix of cabs/speakers. I usually use my 112 combos with a 112 EVM Thiele underneath. I use a Horizontal Recto V30 212 with the Maverick 212 combo. Then I have the Half-Back cabs. Best of both worlds.
BTW, a guy I knew on a different forum had a Maverick head an a matching 112 C90 Open-Back cab. He was so frustrated with it. I suggested going to a V30; he did, and it worked for him.
Let me know what you do. Good luck!
Bill
Good video.
My Mark V combo came with the C90. I wanted to add an extension cab, and on dealer's advice, ordered a 112 Wide-Body Closed-Back cab with the V30 as an option. This cab has a Thiele port in the front. I love this combination. I think it sounds better than the 412 V30 Recto cab I tried with a Mark V head. The combination of the open-back C90 with the closed-back V30 is a winner, and this is exactly how Mesa sets up thier 212 and 412 Road King cabs.
In fact, I found out that Mesa does not recommend using the C90 in a fully closed-back cab. They do use it in open-back cabs and ported cabs. The old 412 and 212 Half-Back cabs typically used them only in the open top. In the bottom half you'll find EVMs, V30s or even the 50-watt Black Shadow Vintage (by Jensen), but C90s in there are really rare.
My 35-watt DC-3 112 combo and my 212 Maverick both use V30s, and I like them. My Mark V:35 though, uses a C90. I called Mesa about replacing the C90, as I felt it was a bit harsh. But after a lengthy Q & A an discussion about my style (notably, I play clean A LOT!), the CSR seemed surprised that I would think about replacing the C90! We talked pros and cons of V30s, the Mesa Fillmore, and the Creamback 65 and 75. Maybe my C90 isn't broken in yet; I got lymphoma not too long after I bought it, and haven't used it much. The V30s in the Maverick and DC-3 have both been run at high volume, many times. I'm just going to try plugging in the V:35 into the DC-3s speaker and figure it out.
I will say that I really like using a mix of cabs/speakers. I usually use my 112 combos with a 112 EVM Thiele underneath. I use a Horizontal Recto V30 212 with the Maverick 212 combo. Then I have the Half-Back cabs. Best of both worlds.
BTW, a guy I knew on a different forum had a Maverick head an a matching 112 C90 Open-Back cab. He was so frustrated with it. I suggested going to a V30; he did, and it worked for him.
Let me know what you do. Good luck!
Bill
