Who Knows About Tubes And Amps? Options

[Gabriel Leopardi]

Hello guys. Today I went to my luthier's house to set-up my guitars for the next weekend shows and we have been talking a lot about tune amps, tubes, digital emulators, etc. I told him that I wasn't 100% happy with my Dual Rectifier tone, because I feel that it's a bit trebly and lacks mids. He suggested me to try switching from 6l6 tubes to EL34 to get a fuller sound and more mids. He also talked about other valves that were bigger but I don't remember the models.

Does anybody know a bit more about this?

[Sensible Jones]

I'm not greatly knowledgeable, but I do know that replacing 6L6's with EL34's does fatten the sound up and improves your mid-range.
I have tried this in a couple of Bugera Heads at my friends Shop!
Try it, if it's not quite the change you want then think about other options fterwards!

[Nihilist1]

EL34's are definitely the way to go. Just make sure that you hit the Valve selector switch before doing so, that way you take care of all the biasing issues. In my experience, all Mesa Boogie's sound thin, but I have only played ones with 6L6's. Making the switch should most certainly change things up.

If anything, call the factory:

We are open 9:00am-5:00 pm Pacific Time,
Monday through Thursday.

Phone: 707-778-6565

I am certain they will be happy to help you with any questions you have.

[SpaseMoonkey]

I believe stock tubes in the Mesa is EL34s, mine are 6L6s as well. I played Dual and I was like this is that great sounds they talk about? Well it sucks, so I ordered the Triple, it's no better. I tossed in all new tubes since I got it used still sounded bad. Dropped a TS in front of it and I haven't turned it off since. Has more bite to it if you ask me. I'd like to try a set of EL34s but not feeling its worth dropping that kind of cash right now. If you don't use a tube screamer maybe see if that give a bit of the tone you want.

[Nihilist1]

I believe stock tubes in the Mesa is EL34s, mine are 6L6s as well. I played Dual and I was like this is that great sounds they talk about? Well it sucks, so I ordered the Triple, it's no better. I tossed in all new tubes since I got it used still sounded bad. Dropped a TS in front of it and I haven't turned it off since. Has more bite to it if you ask me. I'd like to try a set of EL34s but not feeling its worth dropping that kind of cash right now. If you don't use a tube screamer maybe see if that give a bit of the tone you want.

Distortion pedals tend to help massive amounts in this case. I myself cannot stand Mesa Boogie. So I am a bit biased, haha.

[Alex Feather]

Hello guys. Today I went to my luthier's house to set-up my guitars for the next weekend shows and we have been talking a lot about tune amps, tubes, digital emulators, etc. I told him that I wasn't 100% happy with my Dual Rectifier tone, because I feel that it's a bit trebly and lacks mids. He suggested me to try switching from 6l6 tubes to EL34 to get a fuller sound and more mids. He also talked about other valves that were bigger but I don't remember the models.

Does anybody know a bit more about this?

Well I am not sure which Rectifier you have but if you are putting EL34 instead of 6L6 I think it might be risky if it doesn't have a switch on the back! If it does you are fine! If it doesn't make sure that your fuze is good because if something will happen fuze will save your amp!

[Nihilist1]

Well I am not sure which Rectifier you have but if you are putting EL34 instead of 6L6 I think it might be risky if it doesn't have a switch on the back! If it does you are fine! If it doesn't make sure that your fuze is good because if something will happen fuze will save your amp!

Double-Rectifiers have a Bias switch.

http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/Rec..._rectifier.html

[Slavenko Erazer]

Always Marshalls und ENGLs , never rectifiers!!

[Nihilist1]

My top three are:

Sunn O))) (pronounced "Sun")
Laney
Orange

In that order. Those Sunn O))) amps are what I want most in an amp. They get great Psychedelic/Prog/Art Rock tones and they get really ballsy metal tones. Finding them is the real issue...

[Cosmin Lupu]

Both the other guitarists with whom I am playing in Aria own Mesa Boogie Road King and Roadster and they get awesome tones out of them - indeed, the Road King with the tube screamer has a certain bite to it. I tried it with the Suhr Shiba Drive and it rocks as well. The stuff recorded on the Aria songs which you heard are recorded with Mesa Boogie Roadking and Crate Blue Voodoo 120 both having the Suhr Shiba drive in front. The cab we used was a 4x 12 1987, straight Marshall cabinet. It looked like it was on the verge of collapsing and yet the tone we got was great

I will ask my two mates for some advice on this and let you know

Cosmin

[Gabriel Leopardi]

Hey guys! Thanks for all this help. I have a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier with three channels. It has a switcher for 6l6 or EL34 so it won't be a problem. It seems that switching to EL34 could really help, I don't have a tube screamer but I will borrow one to try it. Do you use it to add sustain and drive or for getting a different tone?

[Nihilist1]

Do you use it to add sustain and drive or for getting a different tone?

All of the above.

This post has been edited by Nihilist1: Apr 29 2012, 09:02 PM

[SpaseMoonkey]

I just run mine ' drive: off , tone: noon , level/volume: full on '. It helps me get a tighter tone, more crunch, and treble.

[Nihilist1]

I just run mine ' drive: off , tone: noon , level/volume: full on '. It helps me get a tighter tone, more crunch, and treble.

Here are my distortion pedal settings for extreme metal.

Drive: 0%
Tone: 25%
Volume: 75%

[Mudbone]

You could just need some new tubes. When was the last time you changed them? The EL34's will give you more midrange, but 6L6's typically have a bigger bottom end.

You could try using different types of 6L6's, but they won't produce a drastic tonal difference. The TAD (Tube Amp Doctor) 6L6GC-STR is a very good 6L6.

There are other tubes in the 6L6 family, such as the KT-66 and the 5881. They each have their own qualities. Check with Mesa before you decide to install any different kind of tube.

This is the site where I get my tubes from, very cool guys to deal with.

Edit: Check and see if you can install KT-88 or 6550's in your amp. The KT-88 is the grand daddy of all tubes, and the amps that are equipped with them are EXTREMELY loud and powerful. A few examples include the the Blackstar Series-1 200, the Marshall Kerry King JCM 800, and the Splawn Nitro. The 6550 is also a very powerful tube, its essentially a beefier and higher output version of the 6L6. In fact, many of the the Marshall amps that were imported into the US during the 80's were equipped with 6550's. Much of the classic Marshall sound of the 80's wasn't produced by the EL34, but rather the 6550. Slash's signature head is equipped with these.

This post has been edited by Mudbone: Apr 30 2012, 12:17 AM

[Gabriel Leopardi]

You could just need some new tubes. When was the last time you changed them? The EL34's will give you more midrange, but 6L6's typically have a bigger bottom end.

You could try using different types of 6L6's, but they won't produce a drastic tonal difference. The TAD (Tube Amp Doctor) 6L6GC-STR is a very good 6L6.

There are other tubes in the 6L6 family, such as the KT-66 and the 5881. They each have their own qualities. Check with Mesa before you decide to install any different kind of tube.

This is the site where I get my tubes from, very cool guys to deal with.

Edit: Check and see if you can install KT-88 or 6550's in your amp. The KT-88 is the grand daddy of all tubes, and the amps that are equipped with them are EXTREMELY loud and powerful. A few examples include the the Blackstar Series-1 200, the Marshall Kerry King JCM 800, and the Splawn Nitro. The 6550 is also a very powerful tube, its essentially a beefier and higher output version of the 6L6. In fact, many of the the Marshall amps that were imported into the US during the 80's were equipped with 6550's. Much of the classic Marshall sound of the 80's wasn't produced by the EL34, but rather the 6550. Slash's signature head is equipped with these.

That's exactly what the luthier was saying. He suggested the KT-88, I didn't remember the name. His idea is to come to my home with many tubes and try everything. He also talked about the 6550 as an option. Exactly what I'm looking for is more mid-range and less highs.

[Mudbone]

That's exactly what the luthier was saying. He suggested the KT-88, I didn't remember the name. His idea is to come to my home with many tubes and try everything. He also talked about the 6550 as an option. Exactly what I'm looking for is more mid-range and less highs.

Sounds like a good plan So what kind of cab are you playing it through? What speakers are in it? Its a possibility you might just need a different cab/speakers. That will have a much bigger tonal difference than changing the tubes. But don't let that stop you from changing the tubes though. Changing the tubes in and of itself is a good experience. If you have never done it before you'll never be completely satisfied until you tried all of them lol

[Gabriel Leopardi]

Sounds like a good plan So what kind of cab are you playing it through? What speakers are in it? Its a possibility you might just need a different cab/speakers. That will have a much bigger tonal difference than changing the tubes. But don't let that stop you from changing the tubes though. Changing the tubes in and of itself is a good experience. If you have never done it before you'll never be completely satisfied until you tried all of them lol

I have a Marshall 1960B (Celestion G12T-75), I tried my head with a cabinet that had Celestion V-30 and I liked it much more, so I will try to get some them to my cabinet. Do you know any other better option?

[maharzan]

Ah you are getting older.

[Gabriel Leopardi]

Ah you are getting older.

hahaa I see!