who here plays Mesa boogie dual rectifiers? i need tube help

[StudioMxpx]

ok its time to changed tubes..its been about a year i wanna get the el-34s for it but i dunno which ones and how many i need exacly..for preamp tubes and power amp tubes..

 

[Keiffer]

consider going to Mesa's site, download the manual for your model... refer to tube the chart.

 

[Farview]

The EL-34's are power amp tubes. There are 4 of them, they are the big ones. I always get my tubes from www.eurotubes.com

 

[HangDawg]

The EL-34's are power amp tubes. There are 4 of them, they are the big ones. I always get my tubes from www.eurotubes.com

I second the eurotubes.

 

[StudioMxpx]

so how do the EL-34's tubes sound? is it more distortion/gain?

 

[Keiffer]

Additionally, there are two rectifier tubes. There's a total of six large tubes.

What model rectifier do you have?

Do you have 6L6s now?

 

[Farview]

so how do the EL-34's tubes sound? is it more distortion/gain?

Talking about sound is like dancing about architecture. The easiest way to describe it is 6l6's are more traditionally Fender-ish sounding. EL34's are more Marshall-y sounding. You get the same amount of distortion out of both, it's just a different type.

 

[StudioMxpx]

i have the 3 channel rectifier and i have the factory stocked 6L6s

 

[Lt. Bob]

Then you have to use 6L6's ..... you can't just swap EL34's and 6L6s unless Mesa specifically says that you can put EL34s in it.

But probably you can't.

 

[Wireneck]

I believe the Rectifiers have a switch that lets you select which tube type you are going to use. Double check the manual on this....

 

[StudioMxpx]

on the back there is a switch for it..i dont think the old two channels rects have that option..im not sure

 

[Keiffer]

the 3ch Solo is switchable between 6l6 and el34s

although on mine, the el34s are biased hotter than the 6l6s for the specific tube selection.

 

[StudioMxpx]

yeah mines the same way..i bought mine at guitar center..for some odd reason they factory stocked it with el34s switch on..when it came with 6l6 tubes..so i hope it didnt mess my tubes up..ugh well it still plays lol..but it is time to switch out the tubes anyways!

 

[timthetortoise]

I also recommend Eurotubes. My JJ E34Ls have been going strong and sounding great.

 

[Keiffer]

so how do the EL-34's tubes sound? is it more distortion/gain?

are you looking for more gain?

 

[StudioMxpx]

yeah maybe a little bit more gain...but theres no way im going to sell my rect and buy another amp..i could get a tube screamer lol

 

[Keiffer]

sorry man, but how can it not have enough gain... I mean mine will get so saturated the notes are basically undefinable

a Tube Screamer will clean up the signal and can be a nice addition. I have an SD-1, TS-9 and OD808 and seldom play without one of these up front.

not sure what to recommend if you've never played EL34s other than try four. anyways, the gain/saturation doesn't come from the power section. properly balanced, the power section smoothes the front end but the power section does add it's own thing which can be very nice.

 

[StudioMxpx]

i think what im looking for is the thickness the power and the cruchyness..you know the sound when you go to a concert and the guitar tech plays a few chords and your like damn that sounds good! lol

 

[Keiffer]

short of your tubes just being shot, I firmly believe your SOLO capable. It's just dialing it in, which can take a bit.

speaker type?

 

[StudioMxpx]

what channel do you play on yours? do you have a three channel like me..and also do you have the .the raw, vntage and mondern switches?

i found a sweet sound using the 2nd channel