Apparently I like Mesa tubes...

eudaimonia02912 · Feb 24, 2010

I have had my Mark V for six or seven weeks now, and I've tried a bunch of different tubes in different spots. I've used Tung Sols, Pentas, Shuguangs, JJs, Sovtek LPS, and even an NOS EI. I've also tried JJ EL34s instead of the stock Mesa 6L6s. I keep finding myself going back to Mesa tubes. I put a SPAX7 in V1 instead of the regular Mesa, and so far, I like it better than any other tube I've tried in V1. Right now, the only non-Mesa tube I have is the NOS EI, which I put in V2 to add complexity to channel 2. Other than that (and other than the SPAX7), it's all stock.

Anyways, with all the Mesa tube bashing that goes on, I thought I'd share that I'm apparently going against the grain.

mejoshee · Feb 24, 2010

eudaimonia02912 said:
I have had my Mark V for six or seven weeks now, and I've tried a bunch of different tubes in different spots. I've used Tung Sols, Pentas, Shuguangs, JJs, Sovtek LPS, and even an NOS EI. I've also tried JJ EL34s instead of the stock Mesa 6L6s. I keep finding myself going back to Mesa tubes. I put a SPAX7 in V1 instead of the regular Mesa, and so far, I like it better than any other tube I've tried in V1. Right now, the only non-Mesa tube I have is the NOS EI, which I put in V2 to add complexity to channel 2. Other than that (and other than the SPAX7), it's all stock.

Anyways, with all the Mesa tube bashing that goes on, I thought I'd share that I'm apparently going against the grain.

cool. good to know.

mesa tubes aren't "toneless." people just tend to find them less tone-ful. i am one, but you are entitled to your opinions and seems like you found just what you need. cheers!

MBJunkie · Feb 25, 2010

You are not alone. I have had my MKV for 5 months now, and am delighted with my tone just as I was when I first fired it up. Completely stock and loving it!

I have also owned numerous other Mesa Amps (DC-5, RK, LSS, Express 5:50) and currently own (MKIV, MKV and ED) of which I really enjoy playing completely stock with reliable, toneful and consistent performance by all.

Could different tube / speaker choices enhance my tone? Possibly, but it could also degrade my tone....not to mention the potential for inconsistencies and/or reduced reliability. I figure "why fix what isn't broken", but that is just me.

For those that feel their tone is improved by making changes to their stock "Boogies" or other brand amplifiers for that matter.....I am happy for you.

I do feel that decisions to make almost "automatic" tube brand changes by many are based more on "hype" than anything else. I would suggest new MKV owners to "familiarize" themselves with this very versatile amp in its stock configuration prior to making tube brand changes FWIW.

litesnsirens · Feb 25, 2010

I agree 100%. I figure if Randall and the team thought these tubes made their amps sound bad why would they go through all the trouble to make great sounding amps and then stock them with tubes that suck the tone out of them... Personally I think the amp sounds great stock and I totally concede to Randall Smith and his team that they know what they are doing. Really, what would it be $100 total more to stock with different tubes, if they really thought it was necessary to make the amp sound better. I know it might make the amp sound different, not necessarily better.

Hendog · Feb 25, 2010

I have no problem with the stock 6L6's. They seem like fine tubes to me.

I do have thoughts of replacing some or all of the preamp tubes but I haven't heard a consensus on which ones are best.

scott7d · Feb 25, 2010

All my tubes are stock, and I don't have any complaints. I am a firm believer in the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" saying, and will probably just throw in Mesa tubes again when the amp needs em'.