Anyone know the key to Mesa tube color codes?

[LesMesa]

Does anyone know the order (as in coldest to warmest) of Mesa’s power tube color coding system? For example is red the coldest and yellow the warmest? Any information would be appreciated especially if you know the actual mv.

I apologize as I’m sure this has been discussed before but I couldn’t find a dedicated thread using the search function.

Thanks!

 

[swbo101]

This is from another post I saw.

Mesa vs Groove Tubes scale
Red
4
Yellow
4
Green
5
Gray
5
Blue
6
White
6

 

[LesMesa]

This is from another post I saw.

Mesa vs Groove Tubes scale
Red
4
Yellow
4
Green
5
Gray
5
Blue
6
White
6

Thanks! I guess it makes sense that white would be cold and red hot. From what I understand the lower the GT number the earlier it's supposed to break up.

 

[talltxguy]

Here's a quote from Groove Tubes' website:

"In a amp with a given bias, a higher GT rated tube will have a higher idle dissipation if no adjustments are made. This aspect can be used to fine tune amps such as older tweed era Fender amps, Mesa Boogie Amps, Hiwatt, Orange, etc. If you find as an example that a #5 tube has an idle of 26mA and you wish something closer to 30mA you may want to try a #7 rating."

I have found this to be true. And the same with Mesa tubes...

 

[LesMesa]

Here's a quote from Groove Tubes' website:

"In a amp with a given bias, a higher GT rated tube will have a higher idle dissipation if no adjustments are made. This aspect can be used to fine tune amps such as older tweed era Fender amps, Mesa Boogie Amps, Hiwatt, Orange, etc. If you find as an example that a #5 tube has an idle of 26mA and you wish something closer to 30mA you may want to try a #7 rating."

I have found this to be true. And the same with Mesa tubes...

So if the GT / Mesa grid above in the second post is true then a red Mesa tube would be cold and a white tube would be warm.

They don't try to make it easy. It's tempting to just install a bias kit.

 

[dodger916]

Here's a quote from Groove Tubes' website:

"In a amp with a given bias, a higher GT rated tube will have a higher idle dissipation if no adjustments are made. This aspect can be used to fine tune amps such as older tweed era Fender amps, Mesa Boogie Amps, Hiwatt, Orange, etc. If you find as an example that a #5 tube has an idle of 26mA and you wish something closer to 30mA you may want to try a #7 rating."

I have found this to be true. And the same with Mesa tubes...

So if the GT / Mesa grid above in the second post is true then a red Mesa tube would be cold and a white tube would be warm.

Correct. This means a GT number 4 is farther from clip, and a number 6 (or 7) is closer.