Time to re-power tube the Mesa
- Thread starter Tom Huff
- Start date
ksmith63
New member
ksmith63
New member
Tom Huff
New member
Re: Time to re-power tube the Mesa
I've been playing the amp on channel 2 with quite a bit of gain. One of the power tubes is shorting and has blown the fuse twice.
These tubes were in the amp when I bought it and I have no history on them. They have no markings either and that kind of seems fishy to me like they're a cheap generic or something.
I'm going to keep the old ones as emergency spares but I'll feel more confident about the amp knowing that I put a matched set of 12 good power tubes in it. I already replaced the pre-amp tubes about 6 hours ago.
I've been playing the amp on channel 2 with quite a bit of gain. One of the power tubes is shorting and has blown the fuse twice.
These tubes were in the amp when I bought it and I have no history on them. They have no markings either and that kind of seems fishy to me like they're a cheap generic or something.
I'm going to keep the old ones as emergency spares but I'll feel more confident about the amp knowing that I put a matched set of 12 good power tubes in it. I already replaced the pre-amp tubes about 6 hours ago.
Re: Time to re-power tube the Mesa
....if they have no markings I doubt they were mesa boogie tubes....they seem pretty proud to put their label on a lot of things.
I'm just saying, for mesa amps, the way they have them designed, I'd just stick with mesa tubes. They're usually very solid and reliable. maybe not the greatest tone, but if that's worth an extra $150-200 for you, you know what to do!
....if they have no markings I doubt they were mesa boogie tubes....they seem pretty proud to put their label on a lot of things.
I'm just saying, for mesa amps, the way they have them designed, I'd just stick with mesa tubes. They're usually very solid and reliable. maybe not the greatest tone, but if that's worth an extra $150-200 for you, you know what to do!
Tom Huff
New member
Re: Time to re-power tube the Mesa
Yeah, that was my original quandary. I was going to buy the tubes right from Mesa but I wanted to explore my options. I wrote to Mesa asking them how to buy a matched set of 12 and got no response. I shopped at tubedepot then at thetubestore and sent them a question about what to order and they responded in about 15 minutes! They got my business. They assured me that they would have all 12 matched and they would be correct for the amp. Then when I ordered they upgraded my shipping to next business day. I thought that was pretty cool.
I'd love to know what these tubes that are currently in it are. I'll probably take some pictures of them after the swap and post to see what you tube gurus think they are.
Oh, and after all that these TAD's were $3 US less per pair than the Mesa tubes.
Yeah, that was my original quandary. I was going to buy the tubes right from Mesa but I wanted to explore my options. I wrote to Mesa asking them how to buy a matched set of 12 and got no response. I shopped at tubedepot then at thetubestore and sent them a question about what to order and they responded in about 15 minutes! They got my business. They assured me that they would have all 12 matched and they would be correct for the amp. Then when I ordered they upgraded my shipping to next business day. I thought that was pretty cool.
I'd love to know what these tubes that are currently in it are. I'll probably take some pictures of them after the swap and post to see what you tube gurus think they are.
Oh, and after all that these TAD's were $3 US less per pair than the Mesa tubes.
Re: Time to re-power tube the Mesa
oh! Well done then! I'll have to check them out next time I need tubes
oh! Well done then! I'll have to check them out next time I need tubes
Tom Huff
New member
Re: Time to re-power tube the Mesa
I was pretty happy with the order. I've heard good things about the TAD tubes too. I was a bit surprised that they were less expensive.
I'll post the old tube pics and my initial feelings about the TAD tubes once I install them.
I was pretty happy with the order. I've heard good things about the TAD tubes too. I was a bit surprised that they were less expensive.
I'll post the old tube pics and my initial feelings about the TAD tubes once I install them.
Binnerscot
New member
Re: Time to re-power tube the Mesa
Shipping is rough on tubes, I wonder of that is the reason Mesa has the warrantly for tubes. I have a purchased a few new Mesa amps and had to replace power or rectifier tubes within a few days.....and have never had a problem after that.
JJ 6L6s play real nice with Mesa power amps and your wallet. I am sure the day will come when my Bass 400+ needs new tubes also, and JJs it will be.
Shipping is rough on tubes, I wonder of that is the reason Mesa has the warrantly for tubes. I have a purchased a few new Mesa amps and had to replace power or rectifier tubes within a few days.....and have never had a problem after that.
JJ 6L6s play real nice with Mesa power amps and your wallet. I am sure the day will come when my Bass 400+ needs new tubes also, and JJs it will be.
Gr8Scott
Wookieologist
Re: Time to re-power tube the Mesa
You can always tell that a tube's glass has been compromised by the getter flash (normally silver part of the tube glass) turning a slightly transparent white. If you ever see a tube that has turned white like that, I'd avoid playing the amp at all until new tubes arrive.
You can always tell that a tube's glass has been compromised by the getter flash (normally silver part of the tube glass) turning a slightly transparent white. If you ever see a tube that has turned white like that, I'd avoid playing the amp at all until new tubes arrive.
Tom Huff
New member
Re: Time to re-power tube the Mesa
I ordered the TAD 6L6GC-STR match dozen on Friday and they arrived at my door on Monday! Not bad!
Yesterday I put all the tubes in to the amp and fired it up and let it sit for a few minutes. Beautiful orangey glow! When I started playing all the tubes but one would get a swirly blue character inside them. Only the 3 row first socket didn't do this. Should I be worried about that one tube?
The amp sounds great again.
I ordered the TAD 6L6GC-STR match dozen on Friday and they arrived at my door on Monday! Not bad!
Yesterday I put all the tubes in to the amp and fired it up and let it sit for a few minutes. Beautiful orangey glow! When I started playing all the tubes but one would get a swirly blue character inside them. Only the 3 row first socket didn't do this. Should I be worried about that one tube?
The amp sounds great again.
glassman
Electron Herder
Re: Time to re-power tube the Mesa
It probably lost its screen resistor...it is running at a fraction of it's capability and, with 12 power tubes, you likely won't hear that tube not working at full potential. You might want to have it checked out just to be safe.
It probably lost its screen resistor...it is running at a fraction of it's capability and, with 12 power tubes, you likely won't hear that tube not working at full potential. You might want to have it checked out just to be safe.
Tom Huff
New member
Re: Time to re-power tube the Mesa
Thanks Glassman. I'll get it checked.
In the meantime I found this great article from thetubestore.com. It really enlightened me. I think some people here will enjoy it as well.
http://thetubestore.com/blueglow.html
Thanks Glassman. I'll get it checked.
In the meantime I found this great article from thetubestore.com. It really enlightened me. I think some people here will enjoy it as well.
http://thetubestore.com/blueglow.html