2 Questions About My Simul-Class 295

[Wylde861]

Alright so I noticed a while back that my El-34s in my 295 were different sizes. I just took the top off to see exactly what the difference was. The ones on the right side are STR 447s (this is the side I've mostly been using) and the ones on the left are STR 416s. When I took the top off the first thing I noticed was that there were 2 tubes that weren't correctly seated on the 416 side. Back when I first got my amp I tested out both sides and that side sounded like crap, after reseating the tubes I fired it up and tried that side out agian and OMG. The balls on that side are insane. I tested the other side out again and sure enough it didn't come close to the clarity or the balls of the 416 side and there was no noise what so ever. I just did a little research and it seems that the 416s are pretty sought after. So anyway I have two questions that I'm hoping some of my fellow boogie connoisseurs could help me with.

Does anybody know the story behind the 416s, are they NOS or what? I've read that they are Sylvanias is this true?
(OK so that's already two, math is not my thing, lol)

Also, I noticed a sticker on one of my transformers that I hadn't noticed before. It's redish(probably used to be red) and says "David 3-89". Do you think this is the date my amp was made or maybe that particular transformer was replaced on that date?

Any help would be awesome.

 

[crane]

Yep STR-416 are Sylvanias, really great tubes ! My 295 is still loaded with 415/416 and sound awesome !

Not sure about the date, but yes it probably be a construction date, or tranny replacement (although these transformers are pretty indestructibles).

 

[Wylde861]

Yeah they look like some huge indestructible beasts but you never know. Yeah the tubes sound great, I'm going to have to invest in some backups if I can find them. I guess I could just look for some of the Sylvanias as well as the mesa branded ones or is there some weird difference? I will say I do like having the 447s on one side though. I don't care much for them in simul class but running them in class A tends to give them a really nice spongy sound. I'm guessing they breakup a lot earlier. Doubt I'd ever use them for a gig, but if I can invest in another set of speakers maybe. They are just so dirty sounding though and it seems even worse after using the 416s.

Hmm, I wonder, does anyone know what year they stopped making the 295s with the controls in the back? Maybe that could give me a little incite into that date I found.

Anyway, thanks for your reply crane, it's much appreciated.

 

[crane]

Why don't you ask Mesa directly ? Give them the serial number, they surely could give you some information about the construction date.