Current production favorites for Boogies?

[LerxstLee]

I do not mean to overgeneralize on the tube issue.
Like I said if I change tubes in my simple orange tiny terror 2-12ax7s + 2-el34s
I notice the biggest difference in the V1 12Ax7. Thus I use my favorite tube.
I guess simply said,in a '59 bassman I would suggest a search for N.O.S tubes
in all locations. You could probably use New Production in the reverb driver and P.I. if
you wanted to save a few bucks. Yet the signal chain is so "simple" my past
experience would suggest if you put all new production tubes in that amp,
it would not sound close to retubing it with N.O.S. With that said,
I would still rather have a great sounding new production over a poor sounding
N.O.S.
Just some food for thought after seeing people buy a 2-3k amp and spend
1k retubing makes me wonder why they bought it in the first place. If it sounds
so bad that you have to retube try another amp. Just like guitars and amps,
the same brand and model will vary from amp to amp.
/cheers

 

[LerxstLee]

I will say this in terms of Mesa tubes. If you try their N.O.S siemens EL34s, You should love it.
It is not the most hardy tube. I would only suggest buying it from mesa, (1) the guarantee
(2) The tests they put them through.
If you were "lucky" and scored a case of siemen EL34s, about half of them will usually be
tossed out. Then you would have to try to match the remaining tubes .

If you are willing to pay the $150.00 for the mesa labeled siemen EL34,
You may very well be in for a surprise.
I asked for the same "color" (rating) that was in my amp when I bought it, that way
I would say the comparison is equal.
Has anyone tried the mesa branded EL34s, if so did you notice a difference, either better,the same,
or worse.
/thanks

 

[boogieslayer]

i currently have 6L6 Groove Tubes in my IIc and it sounds great .
right now im shopping around for TAD 6L6GC's

 

[LerxstLee]

You might find some places that will save you a few bucks. Try "kca" and in the notes tell them its for
your mesa "XXXAAA" and the color tubes that are in it.
I have not been disappointed ever here.
I do believe these are the same tubes except the placement of the getters"
The GCs are on the top and taller like the old sylvanias -the WGCs are on the side and compact like the blackplate rca/GEs.

http://kcanostubes.com/products/509/TAD-6L6GC-STR.htm

http://kcanostubes.com/products/554/TAD-6L6WGC-STR.htm

"right click open to avoid having to relogg into the forum"

/cheers

 

[InsomniaClown]

The SED winged C 6L6's are very cool sounding tubes, I also really like Mesa EL34's as well. As for preamp tubes, the Tung Sol 12ax7 is pretty killer. I am going to be trying some Tung Sol 6L6's or 5881's pretty soon. Anyone have any experience with these?

 

[thunda1216]

I tried the Tung Sol (sovtek) 6L6's and was not impressed. Mediocre tone and short lived. They are not even close to the Winged C's. The Sovtek 6L6WXT+ was better sounding and lasted about 4 years of heavy use.

I've actually got great tone and service life from the Shuguang 6L6GCR, but they don't make *them* any more either.

Stay away from TAD!

ty

 

[R_ADKINS80]

Stay away from TAD!

ty

Explain?? My TADs are a year and a half old, my buddy's are 4 years old and sound every bit as good as my set. I've had nothing but a great experience with TAD tubes.

 

[InsomniaClown]

I am currently running Mesa STR 440 6l6 tubes from the yellow group. I have tried running from different colour groups before, but that was only because my local dealer didn't have yellow ones which are what my amp shipped with. Didn't like the reds, greys or blues. Just put in yellows, all is well.

I tried out the SED winged C 6L6 and really liked them a lot! Smooth mids, and more defined tone than the mesa 6L6, and gave a very open sound. However, I never got the chance to hear them when my amp was cranked as I was living in an apartment when I had them. Will have to reorder those.

Anyone have a magical pre amp set of current production tubes that they have found to reduce la fizz?

I worked with the whole rolling of the preamp tubes. Tried tung sol, JJ, groove tubes, EH, but I never came upon any magic combo that did it for me. Not into NOS because they are expensive, and can take awhile to get. I am the type who needs instant gratification.

 

[fluff191]

No one mentioned the Shuguang 12AX7. I LOVE those in my preamp, along with an EH in V1. Great combo.

 

[Cleekster]

12ax7= JJ ecc83s

6L6= GT 6L6GE
EL34= GT E34LS

 

[zm4]

I just put a set of Tung-sol 12ax7s in v1 and v2 in my LSS. I am very pleased, the lower hz are tighter and it some how seems more complex or detailed as a whole. I am loving the bite I get on ch1. The tighter bass helps on ch2 and its quiet. I may change the others later but as of now Im content. Anyone try the Gold Lion EL84 yet?

 

[KH Guitar Freak]

I've ordered some Winged C 6L6s for my Roadster head. Stay tuned for the reviews...

 

[dodger916]

Winged C; GT 6L6GE; Mesa

 

[Jim Ed Love]

I tried the Tung Sol (sovtek) 6L6's and was not impressed. Mediocre tone and short lived. They are not even close to the Winged C's. The Sovtek 6L6WXT+ was better sounding and lasted about 4 years of heavy use.

I've actually got great tone and service life from the Shuguang 6L6GCR, but they don't make *them* any more either.

Stay away from TAD!

ty

I thought Tung Sols were made by New Sensor and not Sovtek. I have some Tung Sol 6l6's in my MKIIC+ and they sound great.

 

[crane]

I read o lot about this or this tube sounding great or bad.
Are all these tubes you're trying graded for Mesa ? If a tube is well selected for Mesa, or even a little hotter, could sounds good, otherwise it could sound awfull...

 

[Jim Ed Love]

I read o lot about this or this tube sounding great or bad.
Are all these tubes you're trying graded for Mesa ? If a tube is well selected for Mesa, or even a little hotter, could sounds good, otherwise it could sound awfull...

My tubes were tested and matched carefully. They have been in use over a year and still sound great.

 

[MesaENGR412]

Right now I have Tung Sol EL-34B's in my Triple Rec but I think I'm going to get some TAD's for it next. Either the 6L6's or their EL34's (which are hard to find, but the quad that are in my other guitarist's TriAmp sound KILLER even after 2 years of use, and have NEVER even once thought of failing).

Preamp, I mix and match a lot. Right now I think I have:

v1- tung sol 12ax7
v2 - TAD 12ax7 (want more of these, store only had 1 in stock)
v3 - Mesa SPAX7
v4- Mullard 12ax7 reissue
v5- balanced Sovtek 12ax7wc

I really like EL34s in the Triple Rec, and I think I might get the TAD EL's and put TAD 6L6's in my 5150 II to balance every out. Or, i might just get all TAD 6L6's.. they seem to be GREAT tubes.

I love all the options with tube amps, it's so fun to find new matches that sound awesome. I just wish my pockets were a little deeper so that i could get more tubes to try lol.

Jackpot: this place has all the TAD tubes. Awesome.
http://tubesandmore.com/

-AJH

 

[LerxstLee]

I tried the Tung Sol (sovtek) 6L6's and was not impressed. Mediocre tone and short lived. They are not even close to the Winged C's. The Sovtek 6L6WXT+ was better sounding and lasted about 4 years of heavy use.

I've actually got great tone and service life from the Shuguang 6L6GCR, but they don't make *them* any more either.

Stay away from TAD!

ty

I thought Tung Sols were made by New Sensor and not Sovtek. I have some Tung Sol 6l6's in my MKIIC+ and they sound great.

The new tung sols are made in russia, I am almost certian that EH,sovtek,GOld lion, are all made in the same place that is also New sensor which is ran or imported to the u.s. by Mike Mathews.

 

[LerxstLee]

I tried the Tung Sol (sovtek) 6L6's and was not impressed. Mediocre tone and short lived. They are not even close to the Winged C's. The Sovtek 6L6WXT+ was better sounding and lasted about 4 years of heavy use.

I've actually got great tone and service life from the Shuguang 6L6GCR, but they don't make *them* any more either.

Stay away from TAD!

ty

Have I missed the explanation why you should "stay away from TADs"
Mine are still being beat to H#ll in my roadking and they still test within a m.a from when they were new.
/cheers

 

[KH Guitar Freak]

Forgot to update my review on the Winged C 6L6s. They are made of win. Very reminiscent of the old Sylvania 6L6s. It's that good. That is all...