ED 6L6 -which tubes operate as a pair?

[LesMesa]

Hey guys,

Hopefully this will be an easy question for those of you with lots of technical know how. I have an ED combo and looking at the combo from the back, the second 6L6 tube from the left developed a rattle. The stock tubes are "white label." I ordered a new matched pair from Mesa and the tubes that arrived are "red label." I think that I should replace the middle two tubes as I think it is the middle two tubes that run together when operating in 45 watts.

The back of the tube box says you can match colors as long as you alternate, such as red, white, red, white but I wonder if the box text was written before the different power operating classes were released.

Does anyone know which tube I replace in addition to the one that was rattling? Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[LesMesa]

I forgot to add that the ED manual is somewhat confusing on this point it says "the outside pair (second from far left and the far right) are wired to Class AB"

Maybe the above is a typo as how could one of the outside pair be the second from far left. The manual then says "in the 45 Watt setting (switch down) only the middle pair of 6L6s are on." From the manual I came to the conclusion that I shoud replace the middle two but then the tube box says to alternate.

It's enough to make me just stick JJs in there and not worry about it.

 

[thunda1216]

the two inner tubes work together, and the two outer tubes work together. I do not know which pair is shut down in the lower watt setting. the manual for my heartbreaker says it shuts down the two center tubes when in the half power setting. hope this helps.

 

[LesMesa]

the two inner tubes work together, and the two outer tubes work together. I do not know which pair is shut down in the lower watt setting. the manual for my heartbreaker says it shuts down the two center tubes when in the half power setting. hope this helps.

Thanks that helps a lot. I stuck the new tubes in the middle two slots set the amp to 45w and found that my mistess of tone had returned. I've swapped out power tubes on several non-Mesa amps before to try out different brands but don't think I've ever had a pair of power tubes wear out before. Wow what a difference fresh tubes make! I should change them more often.

 

[JOEY B.]

The outer left and right tubes are the 45 watters. The ED manual is wrong (copied and pasted from the Mark V manual). I verified this in a dark room with my Electra-Dyne head. 8)