Buying preamp tubes...is this right? Pls help

[hendrik84]

I've never bought preamps tubes before so I just want to make sure. (I already have two sets of 6L6's - the Mesa ones)

I'm either looking at 7 of these:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002M728Y/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Or 7 of these:
http://www.amazon.com/Tung-Sol-12AX7TUNG-Tungsol-12AX7/dp/B0018SJLFS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=undefined&sr=8-2&keywords=12ax7

Both get good reviews. Which would you recommend? I don't play metal, just everything from clean to raunchy blues to rock n roll.

I'm also looking at this rectifier tube:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003BGR9HC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

However it has a B in the end while the tube shown in the manual is just a 5U4G? Is it still the same?

Thanks!!

 

[Don]

Has your rectifier tube failed? If not, don't replace it unless you're upgrading to an NOS tube. It's a good idea to have a backup though.

 

[domct203]

I've never bought preamps tubes before so I just want to make sure. (I already have two sets of 6L6's - the Mesa ones)

I'm either looking at 7 of these:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002M728Y/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Or 7 of these:
http://www.amazon.com/Tung-Sol-12AX7TUNG-Tungsol-12AX7/dp/B0018SJLFS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=undefined&sr=8-2&keywords=12ax7

Both get good reviews. Which would you recommend? I don't play metal, just everything from clean to raunchy blues to rock n roll.

I'm also looking at this rectifier tube:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003BGR9HC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

However it has a B in the end while the tube shown in the manual is just a 5U4G? Is it still the same?

Thanks!!

The 5U4G & 5U4GB are interchangeable, I believe the "G" has a hair more "sag" than the "GB". The MKV has always shipped with the 5U4GB.

The JJ ECC83S is the current Mesa 12AX7 and probably what you have in the amp now.

Are you changing tubes because of noises/issues? What is in the amp now?

If you just want to experiment I would mix it up with Tung-Sol, Electro-Harmonix, Mullard, JJ etc.

Dom

 

[hendrik84]

The amp is pretty noisy but it's like it changes from day to day though.

I bought the amp second hand and I don't know how old the tubes are. I figured I would experiment. I also don't know what tubes are in it now(except for the basic 6L6's) and I can't check cause I don't have the amp with me at the moment, but I believe it's all stock.

So you're suggesting I shouldn't buy 7 of the same but rather mixing it up?

 

[4406cuda]

I recommend the Tungsols.