A few months ago I picked up a retube kit for my 2:90 with a quad of EL34L's for the outer holes. I was told it won't run ideally without a bias pot but I shouldn't have any problems.
The combination sounds fantastic but when I asked another vendor about it, here's what he had to say:
"It's no rumor, it will eventually damage the amp. Just because you dont blow fuses right away, doesnt mean that cumulative damage and eventual failure wont occur. Its simple math--a 6L6 draws less than 1 amp of filament current, 8/10's(.8 ) to be exact. On the other hand the EL34 draws almost double that 1.5, and there lies the problem. The amp is not designed for EL34's(defective ones at that) and dont belong in there. You wont find me selling out of spec tubes, I return them to the distrbutor or manufacturer. So you see, I dont keep EL34's that would be considered "hot" and that draw excessive current. The other issue I have is with the JJ 6L6's, they run on the abnormally low side of current draw and are really better suited to amps with adjustable bias. I've never recommend JJ 6L6 tubes for Mesa amps. I sell too much other stuff that sounds light years better, RUBY, TAD, SED to name a few. These tubes also behave and test more like a typical 6L6GC and are within the proper bias range required by Mesa.
Sorry I cant help you out on this one, but I wouldnt want to be the responsible party when you fry your 2:90 transformer(s)."
Anyone have any input? I emailed the first vendor about it but haven't gotten an answer. My 2:90 is my main gigging power amp, I don't want to fry it but those EL34L's sound soooo good in there!
The combination sounds fantastic but when I asked another vendor about it, here's what he had to say:
"It's no rumor, it will eventually damage the amp. Just because you dont blow fuses right away, doesnt mean that cumulative damage and eventual failure wont occur. Its simple math--a 6L6 draws less than 1 amp of filament current, 8/10's(.8 ) to be exact. On the other hand the EL34 draws almost double that 1.5, and there lies the problem. The amp is not designed for EL34's(defective ones at that) and dont belong in there. You wont find me selling out of spec tubes, I return them to the distrbutor or manufacturer. So you see, I dont keep EL34's that would be considered "hot" and that draw excessive current. The other issue I have is with the JJ 6L6's, they run on the abnormally low side of current draw and are really better suited to amps with adjustable bias. I've never recommend JJ 6L6 tubes for Mesa amps. I sell too much other stuff that sounds light years better, RUBY, TAD, SED to name a few. These tubes also behave and test more like a typical 6L6GC and are within the proper bias range required by Mesa.
Sorry I cant help you out on this one, but I wouldnt want to be the responsible party when you fry your 2:90 transformer(s)."
Anyone have any input? I emailed the first vendor about it but haven't gotten an answer. My 2:90 is my main gigging power amp, I don't want to fry it but those EL34L's sound soooo good in there!
