zodiac272
Well-known member
Hey,
There is so much to choose from as far as tubes. You can always pay it safe and get a pair of mesa str 440's, or buy imports, or look for NOS Sylvania tubes... like the Mesa STR 415 or RCA black plate 6L6gc ($$$$)
If you want to go imported, many like the SED winged C... =C= 6L6's. They are supposed to be great. there are reviews about lots of tubes on here. I like the NOS tubes (STR 415) because they not only sound really good with older mark series, but also are very durable and last much longer than newer production tubes. You can find them on ebay (i know) but if you find a pair of dual getter sylvania 6L6 gc for under $70 that's a deal. I think the fender and peavey branded sylvania's will work fine. You just have to make sure any non mesa output tube you get is within the bias range for your amp. If you buy off the net, tell them you have a mesa mk III 60 watt and if they are good they will hook you up.
as far as preamp tubes, I also like USA made tubes for the same reasons. last longer and sound great. RCA, Tung Sol, sylvania, GE, and rayethon. Ebay has tons of them. RFT ($$$) are great too. 5751's have 70% of the gain of 12ax7, but they are very musical, great sounding, and can help smooth out your amp a bit. try these:
V1 RCA black plate, Tung sol,
V2 Tung Sol, RFT, sylvania, ge
V3 Tung Sol, RFT, sylvania, ge
V4 Tung sol, Sylvania, GE, 5751 good here too.
I like the tung sol reissue also, but they may have a high fail rate. If you find a few good ones, you can get them 12 to $15 each on ebay.
I would say don't spend more than $20 a NOS preamp tube from ebay and no more than $40 for each Sylvania 6l6gc. If you set a limit you won't be super pissed if you are unhappy with them, and it will help you find the deals out there.
here are some links though you probably already know about them:
http://www.dougstubes.com/
http://thetubestore.com/
https://www.kcanostubes.com/
http://tubedepot.com/
http://www.12ax7a.com/
http://tubefreak.com/
http://www.audiotubes.com/
http://valvequeen.com/ gotta love a chick that sells tubes.
https://www.tubeworld.com/index_high.htm
http://www.tejastubes.com/ this one is in texas
last of all, don't take my word as is. there is a ton of info out there to learn for yourself.
scott
There is so much to choose from as far as tubes. You can always pay it safe and get a pair of mesa str 440's, or buy imports, or look for NOS Sylvania tubes... like the Mesa STR 415 or RCA black plate 6L6gc ($$$$)
If you want to go imported, many like the SED winged C... =C= 6L6's. They are supposed to be great. there are reviews about lots of tubes on here. I like the NOS tubes (STR 415) because they not only sound really good with older mark series, but also are very durable and last much longer than newer production tubes. You can find them on ebay (i know) but if you find a pair of dual getter sylvania 6L6 gc for under $70 that's a deal. I think the fender and peavey branded sylvania's will work fine. You just have to make sure any non mesa output tube you get is within the bias range for your amp. If you buy off the net, tell them you have a mesa mk III 60 watt and if they are good they will hook you up.
as far as preamp tubes, I also like USA made tubes for the same reasons. last longer and sound great. RCA, Tung Sol, sylvania, GE, and rayethon. Ebay has tons of them. RFT ($$$) are great too. 5751's have 70% of the gain of 12ax7, but they are very musical, great sounding, and can help smooth out your amp a bit. try these:
V1 RCA black plate, Tung sol,
V2 Tung Sol, RFT, sylvania, ge
V3 Tung Sol, RFT, sylvania, ge
V4 Tung sol, Sylvania, GE, 5751 good here too.
I like the tung sol reissue also, but they may have a high fail rate. If you find a few good ones, you can get them 12 to $15 each on ebay.
I would say don't spend more than $20 a NOS preamp tube from ebay and no more than $40 for each Sylvania 6l6gc. If you set a limit you won't be super pissed if you are unhappy with them, and it will help you find the deals out there.
here are some links though you probably already know about them:
http://www.dougstubes.com/
http://thetubestore.com/
https://www.kcanostubes.com/
http://tubedepot.com/
http://www.12ax7a.com/
http://tubefreak.com/
http://www.audiotubes.com/
http://valvequeen.com/ gotta love a chick that sells tubes.
https://www.tubeworld.com/index_high.htm
http://www.tejastubes.com/ this one is in texas
last of all, don't take my word as is. there is a ton of info out there to learn for yourself.
scott
