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GMC Forum _ PRACTICE ROOM _ Mesa Triple Recto
Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Aug 10 2011, 10:17 PM
So yesterday I sold my soul and picked up a used Mesa. I'm guessing its a few years old because it uses the old 6L6 430s instead of the 440s.
My question would be how do I know if I need to change my tubes? Because I had some free time today everyone was at work and cranked it. It sounded great for about 10 minutes really pushing it, but it started to get quieter and thinner in sound. If I lowered the volume it sounded fine and then I could put it back up for a bit and then it would repeat the volume drool and thin sound. Would this be a good indication that I should look into investing in some new tubes?
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 10 2011, 11:26 PM
My question would be how do I know if I need to change my tubes? Because I had some free time today everyone was at work and cranked it. It sounded great for about 10 minutes really pushing it, but it started to get quieter and thinner in sound. If I lowered the volume it sounded fine and then I could put it back up for a bit and then it would repeat the volume drool and thin sound. Would this be a good indication that I should look into investing in some new tubes?
I think so man
did you try to use the tube power selector (I think it's called like this) I've noticed that on the Mesa Road King, you can select the power level you want the tubes to work at 
maybe if you switched them to a lower power, they won;t cause trouble, but most definitely, I think you should see if they are ok and if not, change them
Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Aug 11 2011, 12:16 AM
did you try to use the tube power selector (I think it's called like this) I've noticed that on the Mesa Road King, you can select the power level you want the tubes to work at maybe if you switched them to a lower power, they won;t cause trouble, but most definitely, I think you should see if they are ok and if not, change them I'm using it right now its actually at a decent level the channels are around 12 oclock and the main is like 10oclock and I'm not having an issue. I think I shall try switching it down so that it has less of a pull, maybe the outlet can't handle that sort of power draw since the wiring in the house is kinda old. Much thanks for the advice.
Posted by: Todd Simpson Aug 11 2011, 12:19 AM
My question would be how do I know if I need to change my tubes? Because I had some free time today everyone was at work and cranked it. It sounded great for about 10 minutes really pushing it, but it started to get quieter and thinner in sound. If I lowered the volume it sounded fine and then I could put it back up for a bit and then it would repeat the volume drool and thin sound. Would this be a good indication that I should look into investing in some new tubes?
This is a good sign that you should take it to a shop ASAP and have it checked. It's probably nothing. The MESA is a KIIILLLLLER amp so Much Congrats on getting one. If it's your first, your in for a fun ride
Take it in, have it looked at, see what they say. It might just need new tubes, or something small. Keeping older Mesa's going is a bit of an Art as they tend to be ridden hard and fast. But a good amp tech can handle it with ease.Todd
Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Aug 11 2011, 12:27 AM
yeah, it could be the tubes. I recommend you to take the amp to a technician that works with tube amps... or maybe to somebody that clones tube amps. I did it with my Mesa and the guys connected each tube to a computer and analysed if the tubes were working ok...
Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Aug 11 2011, 01:10 AM
@ Todd: Yeah it's my first I've always wanted one so I picked it up, still pretty excited to get one. It was well worth the trade of my Egnater Renegade 65w head and Pod HD500. Since that really is the tone I used on my Pod. Now I just need to get some pedals because not having a slight reverb is kind of strange. But its made me realize how sloppy my playing is because its so articulate.
@ Gabriel: Yeah I need to do that I'm actually going to have my friend look it over when he's in town. He is an electronics wiz. He does all my guitar work. He hot rods amp, custom stomp boxes, and has a prototype of a flat response eq that he made.
I did was Cosmin said, flipped the switch to vacum tube and played the heck out of the amp pushed it like earlier not even a budge or change in sound this time around. But since its getting darker over here, I kicked the lights off and looked at the tubes from the rear. All my 6L6 are a nice orange glow, 2 of my 5U4GBs are where you see the metal warm with the orange glow, but the middle one has nothing at all. its dark as can be and I don't feel really any heat off of it.
Thank you everyone for the advice.
Posted by: Adrian Figallo Aug 11 2011, 04:14 AM
im not sure about your tubes, but congrats for the new amp, it's a beast.
Posted by: Mudbone Aug 11 2011, 11:26 PM
If you want to get some new tubes, check out http://www.dougstubes.com He will recommend the best power amp tubes for your particular amp and also suggest a cocktail of preamp tubes that will get the best sound. I got tubes for my Peavey Ultra Plus from him and am very happy with the results. Check out the TAD (Tube Amp Doctor) 6L6GC-STR, they got a nice and punchy bottom end and are very clear and articulate. Plus they're not that expensive.
Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Aug 12 2011, 01:00 AM
Much thanks, I will have to take a gander at this site now.
Posted by: Adrian Figallo Aug 12 2011, 06:04 AM
That's a cool resource, thanks!
Posted by: Mudbone Aug 12 2011, 06:32 AM
Doug is a great guy, top notch customer service. He burns in all the tubes and matches them, and tells you what will work best for your particular amp. Can't beat that
Posted by: Adrian Figallo Aug 12 2011, 06:33 AM
i will recommend this guy quite a bit
Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Aug 12 2011, 09:47 AM
Congratulations man!
As for tubes, it's important to tell what Mesa did you bought. There could be several options available for you. It's important to have a decent budget for the tubes too. If you have the money, I recommend Groove Tubes, you can check some of the midrange models like 6L6 S. I used JJ tubes in all my amps, and they sounded very good, nothing wrong with those, so if your budget is thinner, you can get JJ tubes for poweramp. As for preamp, you could get JJ ones as well, or Mullard. IMHO, stay away from EH tubes.
Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Aug 15 2011, 03:04 PM
I found out the issue, did some research over the last few days. So it seems there is a volume drop issue. That if the fx loop is on and there is nothing in it is causing the problem. The fix is either throw a patch cable in to it so that you can control all your channels from the master volume of the loop or turn it off and set each channels master volume.
I just flipped the fx loop off and cranked the volume to like 1 o'clock for about an hour and not once did it drop at all. Talk about being relieved!
Posted by: Cosmin Lupu Aug 15 2011, 04:29 PM
I just flipped the fx loop off and cranked the volume to like 1 o'clock for about an hour and not once did it drop at all. Talk about being relieved!
Pfff...I had a silly problem like this with my Crate Blue Voodoo at some point (had no clue that I needed a stereo cable for the effects footswitch to work) and I almost took it to an investigation
)
Posted by: The Uncreator Aug 16 2011, 02:07 AM
So you ACTUALLY did it huh? 
I have been wondering how long it would take you to do this, I think the soul was a small price to pay.
Posted by: SpaseMoonkey Aug 16 2011, 02:31 AM
I have been wondering how long it would take you to do this, I think the soul was a small price to pay.
Sure did, it was worth every penny for it also.
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