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When the preamp tube bug strikes, it causes an awful itch! :lol: Just like going to the store to buy kitchen essentials for your first apartment, there are certain "must have" spices to put on your shelf. The RFT, along with a modern Tung Sol and black/gray plate RCA, are essential. They...

It really is personal preference. If you gig, the added complexity of a 4 cable system eventually gets old with little benefits. If not, then knock yourself out! :D But for gigging, I put it all on the pedalboard out front.

FYI, Mesa changed designs in the early '90s, adding the rubber spacers. Here's a shot showing the two designs... The older one (left) - can't see the silver plastic handles - only had rubber anti-vibration strips between the grill and the front of cab. Unless you think they're essential, just...

Of course, call MB to get the straight scoop, but I don't think you'll be able to do those two things, or you wouldn't want to. It's more cost effective to buy a really good reverb pedal (like the Strymon Flint) and put a graphic EQ pedal in the FX loop, anyway. Focus on having the updates...

Thanks for the nod. 8) And I'm glad it worked out for you, too. The big revelation, for me, was the tonal impact of that one tube. No other 12ax7 made that much of a difference before. I had switched speaker cabs, speakers, EQ, etc. but nothing tamed that brittleness. Granted, the green stripe...

As an alternative to the + mod, consider a darker 12ax7 in V3, like an NOS RFT. It will retain the gain but shift the fizz out of the EQ. I use it as almost a "spice" to de-brittle ch3. Other tubes may work, I just have experience with that particular one. Plus, no soldering iron required! Good...

Shhhhhhhhhhh!!! (You'll start a low-wattage revolution) :roll: :lol: We only mic vocals and drums, so I get what you're saying. Pushing a MkXXX at low wattage is a beautiful thing and I'm glad someone else recognizes it. Congrats on your cool revelation. 8)

I think you took my comment out of context. I wan't ragging on striving for a Metallica tone, but that my experiments did not seek out a Metallica tone. That's all. (many times around here, it's assumed that every Mark player strives for MOP tone) Since certain Diezel amps exclusively use NOS...

The pursuit of your 'grail tone' has to include cab and speakers. And while the V30 seems to be THE most popular speaker for many Mesa amps, they just don't work for some of us. Sometimes I've had C90s do the job. Sometimes it was the EV12Ls or a combination of the two. Other times I jumped over...

Basically, your amp is at maximum SPL output at master=5. Anything beyond that is loading/pushing/distorting the power stage and is not contributing to additional volume output. The boost can only take it to "maximum", so if you start at max, the boost can't take it any further. The Fulltone...

In short, the answer to your question is no, it depends. But the setting of Volume will be more dramatic, obviously. So if you're shooting for the same crunch (or lack thereof) that you had with the lower gain tube, then you'll have to turn V1 down. The difference, for example, between a new...

Yes, but that's what ch3 is for. (Don't get me wrong...I have often put a dirt pedal in front of my MkIII for something totally different than the traditional ch3). For pedal suggestions, depending upon what sound you're shooting for, TS-9 and derivatives (Fulltone Fulldrive 2, etc.), Lovepedal...

Don't go into a MkIII hoping for a budget C+...ain't gonna happen, regardless of the mods involved. And generalizing subjective tonal differences won't work either. If you have something specific you like about a C+ that you're looking for in a MkIII, post that up, but ultimately, if you like...

*snicker* :lol: EGB, post up some pics for review. Start at the back of the amp to show the stripe version.

When you get more curious, removing the chassis will reveal more markings and dates. I always find it fascinating to tie your favorite amp to an individual that put their expertise and love into making it. Congrats on the great acquisition and enjoy your first MkIII experience! 8)

That sounds vaguely familiar. :roll: 8) Depending on the music you play, that RFT fattens things up really well in ch3. I bounced between a new Tung Sol and a '50s era RCA in V1 to keep ch1 and ch2 flexible. I left V2 and the PI with a stock Mesa.

There is always subjectivity in tube tone, but it's probably safe to say, an NOS RFT tube is considered much darker than a modern Tungsol. Old gray plate RCAs from the '50s are similar to RFT, to me, but the breakup of the RFT is much more 'powerful'. In my green stripe - which already has...

I play similar gear in similar venues to similar sized crowds and my vert 2x12s have delivered perfectly for 24 years. Ironically, MANY years ago (about 25 years ago), I was in Hollywood, CA watching a neo punk band in some bar with one guitarist. He played a Mark III and had a pair of 2x12 vert...

He can also have 2 x 4 ohm speakers in series in the cab. The point is, be aware and conscious of the final impedance that you're connecting to your amp but don't be too concerned. Very low impedance, like 2ohms, is not recommended and will age your power tubes quicker. An impedance mismatch...

I bought mine from a guy in Ukraine and the deal went perfectly. Whatever you do, buy a pair of them so you have a spare...just in case. ;)