eternal question...

littleguitar · Jul 24, 2011

Is it safe to run the V with a pair of EL34's in the inner sockets with 6L6's in the outer and the biais switch set to 6L6 ?

I've tried this quickely and love that sound, that remind me my IV.

Scary · Jul 24, 2011

I'm no expert but i've heard that it's important NOT to use the 10 watt option when mixing tubes.

littleguitar · Jul 24, 2011

I've heard that too....and play in 10w mode without any issue but my main setting is 90w for CH1 and 45w for ch2 and 3.

My only real doubt is that I find the inner duet (EL34) is hotter than the other pair.

eudaimonia02912 · Jul 25, 2011

Yes, you can do that. Just keep it off 10 watt mode. In 10 watt mode, it can hurt the amp. In 45 watt mode, you're just using the inner sockets. In 90 watt mode, you're using all 4 tubes.

gummx97 · Jul 25, 2011

eudaimonia02912 said:
Yes, you can do that. Just keep it off 10 watt mode. In 10 watt mode, it can hurt the amp. In 45 watt mode, you're just using the inner sockets. In 90 watt mode, you're using all 4 tubes.

Was this documented in the MESA manual? I'd feel a bit more comfortable had they done that for this process.

eudaimonia02912 · Jul 27, 2011

It was in the very earliest version of the manual, but they took it out pretty early on. I think it's because they discovered there were issues running it in 10 watt mode.

Mesa's MO isn't to say, "Hey, go ahead and mix tubes--just keep it out of 10 watt mode." I think they're worried people won't follow instructions, bust the amp, and then send it to Mesa for repair. So they just say, "Don't mix tubes." But a few people here have been playing with mixed tubes for a long time.