Couple questions regarding MV fuses/tubes

[ESlinker]

Hey guys,

I was playing the other day and my amp started sounding weird/fuzzy and just went dead (after I saw a flash of light from come from behind the amp). Fuse was blown and I take it I need to replace my tubes. I still have the factory 6L6s in there and have been wanting to try out the SED EL34s for sometime now so what better time to try them out!

Now, I went out and purchased some Bussmann fuses AGC 4A Glass Fuses and noticed they look different than the current fuse that was in the amp. Here's what they look like below... and basically I just wanted to make sure these were cool to use in place of the MDL series without messing something up?

http://www.cooperbussmann.com/pdf/b040436b-cbc7-495d-95a6-99fe85202786.pdf

I also want to go ahead and replace the preamp tubes while I'm doing this... what have you guys found to work best with the SED EL34s in the V? And where would you guys recommend I buy the power/preamp tubes from? I would do some searching on here cause I'm sure this has been brought up before but I just don't have that much time to spend on a computer. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[Red Barchetta]

DO NOT USE THOSE FUSES!!!! Those are fast-acting fuses, you must use slow-blow (or slo-blo) fuses! Go to Radio Shack...they have them...buy the 120 or the 240 (115 or 230) volt 4 amp slow blow fuses.

Also...your culprit may not be a power tube or preamp tube. Check your rectifier tube. Do what I did: Replace the fuse with the CORRECT one. Make sure all 3 channels are set on diode rectifier. Remove the rectifier tube from your amp. Power it up. If nothing blows, chances are you're on the right track. Play thru the 3 channels a bit. Power off the amp and select tube rectifier on whatever channels you normally use it on. Re-install the rectifier tube. Power on....making sure the channel with the tube rec selected is active. Did it blow? Yes? Then your recto tube is bad! If it doesn't blow, you've got another issue, or if it blows with the recto tube removed, you've got other problems. There are plenty of posts on here to help you diagnose that.

Anyway...regarding the tubes. I recommend and buy JJ Tubes from Eurotubes. www.eurotubes.com

They have great tubes, I did a full retube in my V and love every bit of it even more than I did before. Mind you, I'm using the 6L6GC's, not the EL34's, but I've used their EL34's in my Road King.

That's my recommendation, but BUY THE RIGHT FUSES BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING!

RB

 

[Barry]

REd is correct , make sure its a slo blo fuse and also the correct value .

 

[ESlinker]

Thanks for correcting me about the fuses RB, exactly why I wanted to post this thread to make sure! I'll return the ones I have and pick up some slo-blo fuses from Radio Shack.

About the tubes... can I just order the SED EL34s from any website that sells them and slap them in the Mark V or do I need to call a particular company to let them know what amp they are going in so they can be biased properly? I have already tried the JJ Tubes in my JSX and just want to go a different direction this time around. Also any advice on what preamp tubes to get would be greatly helpful. Thanks guys!

 

[Red Barchetta]

As far as biasing, your Mesa is "fixed bias" so there's no worries about that. If I understood what you were asking, tubes themselves aren't biased, it's the amp that is, or in the case of Boogies, fixed bias. You just want to make sure wherever you buy the tubes from sells them as a "matched set". That means a set that has been tested and has a comparable output and tonal qualities.

My only recommendation for preamp tubes is JJ's, because that's what I like...sound is a very subjective thing, though, so what works for me may not work for you.

I'm sure there are many others on this board that can (and will!) offer their preamp tube opinions.

RB

 

[SteveO]

Make sure the tube supplier you are purchasing from knows they will be going into a Mesa amp, that way he will be able to get you tubes that are within Mesa's specifications!

 

[Red Barchetta]

Make sure the tube supplier you are purchasing from knows they will be going into a Mesa amp, that way he will be able to get you tubes that are within Mesa's specifications!

Yeah! What he said!

RB

 

[MrMarkIII]

Always take the old fuse (or any other part) with you to the electronics, auto parts, hardware, or any other store to make sure you get the correct replacement.
Hope this helps

 

[4406cuda]

JJ preamp tubes come stock in the Mark V.

I changed mine out to Tung Sols

 

[Red Barchetta]

JJ preamp tubes come stock in the Mark V.

I changed mine out to Tung Sols

At least in my case, this was not so. My preamp tubes appeared to be re-branded Sovteks.

RB

 

[ESlinker]

Thanks for all the replies guys! I got the correct fuses from Radio Shack and ordered my tubes today (SED EL34s / JJ 5U4GB / JJ 12AX7s). With all the hype surrounding these EL34 tubes with the V, I have high expectations and can't wait to hear how they sound!

 

[ESlinker]

Well I got the new tubes in and up and running... and I must say I am definitely digging how it sounds now with the EL34s! I liked it with the 6L6s but channel 2 definitely sounds better and I actually enjoy playing on the Mark I mode now. Havn't played much on the clean channel so can't really comment on that to much but it still sounds damn good to me. Happy convert to the EL34s! 8)