Can i use only 2 power tube in mark V ?

[stefH]

i have a pair of EL34 and want to try it in my mark V this afternoon

can i put them in the inner socket and put nothing in the outter , and use 4 ohms out (like you can do with marshall or other amps ?)

if i use it in 45 w, do i have to stay in 4ohms out, or go back to 8ohms as in the manual they say in this mode only the inner socket is used...

i suppose i can't use 10 watts mode because it's said in the manual it uses tube forom inner and outter ?
thanks for your help

 

[miqueas92]

No.

 

[stefH]

No.

why ?

 

[boogieman60]

Snap ,Crackle and pop. The V is not a split tube amp. it uses 4 power tubes of the same type.

 

[stefH]

Snap ,Crackle and pop. The V is not a split tube amp. it uses 4 power tubes of the same type.

yes , but in 45w mode, it only use the "inner" one, no ?
in this case, why wouldn't it be possible to remove the "outter" one ?

 

[mesa metal]

someone will correct me if im wrong
you need all the power tubes in place to complete the circuit
doesnt matter what wattage youre useing or wich tubes are being utilized
why would you want to do that anyway,,and risk damage to your amp

 

[rocknroll9225]

I'm going to go ahead and be the dissenting opinion here... I don't see any reason why you shouldn't be able to do this as long as you stay in 45 watt mode.

 

[Mrjason]

Sure you can ... you have 4 power tubes in this order ---> see manual ((V10 - V8 - V9 - V 11))
The inner two V8-V9 are a pair used only for 45 watts. The outer two add another 45 watts to get to a total of 90 watts.

Install your single pair of EL-34's in V8-V9 positions. Make sure to switch the bias tube select switch to el34's.
Keep your amp at 45 watts!!

This will have no effect on the speaker impedance.

Good luck

 

[miqueas92]

Go for it, let us know how it went. :wink:

 

[stefH]

i did a rehearsal , a gig (with a backup of course) and i played tonight about an hour.

i was in 90w switch with the 4ohms out (like you do in other amp when you remove 2 tube)

tonight i tried the 45w mode in 8 ohms as it is said in the manual only the inner mode are used and as Mrjason said to me too , then there's no need to set the impedance to 4 ohm as in this case, even if there was the outter el34 , they are not used..

i wanted to try, but i will buy 4 el34 just to have 90 watt and 10 watt possibility because i prefer the el34 sound , more "rock n roll", you loose a bit of the clean "chime" , but that's a compromise i accept because channel 2 and 3 really shine with el34

 

[Mrjason]

SteFh

I am sorry but I am mistaken. Doing what I suggested does infact change the impedance.
I read somewhere about checking out a pair of EL34's in a Mark V and read it was safe to do so as I suggested.
To make sure I hadn't given you bad advice I called Mesa to make sure.
I was told its safe to do so just to check out the tubes to see if you like them but you wouldn't want to leave them like that.
I didn't get into detail on how exactly the impedance will change but wanted to point out I was wrong to you!
I didn't think it would seeing you aren't using the outer tubes in 45 watts.

Next time don't trust me call Mesa!

 

[stefH]

ok , go back to 4ohms , thanks !