I need some advice on tubes. AMP IS TOO FUZZY

[Perryvon]

I bought a Dual Rectifier 3 channel head used about two months ago. I play in a metal band so i need the amp to produce a heavy distortion with out have a open string breakdown to sound all muddy and fuzzy. I dont think the previous buyer ever replaced the tubes because it just came with normal 6L6 mesa power tubes Ect... in the past few days the amp has been sounding very dull and VERY fuzzy (the opposite of what i need) I'm guessing what i need is to re-tube the amp. i need some advice on what tubes i can get that will make my amp have a nice smooth non muddy distortion good for modern metal.

Also what channel/setting do you more knowledgeable mesa owners suggest for a new user who plays modern metal!?

Thanks!

 

[yeti]

list the tubes that are in it?

or if all stock, let us know for sure.

then we tubetards can proceed!

 

[Perryvon]

okay id be happy to.
there are four power tubes that are 6l6 gc( under it says str 440 but one says str44c)
I believe all other tubes are just stock. i tried inserting 2 5u4gb power tubes that were new to see if it gave the distortion a smoother sound...it didn't.

 

[MrMarkIII]

The 5u4gb are not power tubes, they are rectifier tubes, and will not work as power tubes.
You should remove them before you break something.
Please download the manual at the Mesa website and read it all the way to the end. There will be a chart showing where the tubes go.
Here is the link if you can't find it:
http://www.mesaboogie.com/manuals/3chRecto.pdf
Page 22 shows where the tubes go.
Hope this helps

 

[Perryvon]

Yeah that was just a silly mistake of misnaming them, i did put the rectifier tubes in the correct spot i just wasnt sure what they were named, thanks for that link, i have read most of the manual but finding it online is a big help. I appreciate the help greatly

 

[screamingdaisy]

Do you know how old the amp is? And how much the previous owner actually used it?

Also, what are your amp settings?

 

[giantstepjoe]

At what position is your presence knob set?

 

[Perryvon]

sure thing

this is what i normally set it
Channel 3 modern

Presence= 12:30 Master=3 oclock gain=2:30
Bass=12 mid=10:30 treble=1:30


I have tried lots of other settings and if I put the gain or anything up to high it just gets way to fuzzy,

 

[Gtr_Pkr]

Try some new tubes. My brand recommendations are Mesa, JJ, and Electro Harmonix. Keep us posted!

 

[fluff191]

These days, Mesa preamp tubes ARE JJ's, and IMO JJ's are terrible sounding. Muddy and reduce the gain but up to about 25% in my estimation.

I highly recommend a good set Electro-Harmonix pre's, with (2) Chinese tubes (Shuguang, Penta, etc.) for V3 and V4.
You will be in metal chug heaven if you go that route.

 

[Perryvon]

thanks for all the help. i'm still a little confused on what preamp tubes i should buy and what power tubes. I have very little knowledge about what different tubes sound like. so step by step would help me out so much! anything is appreciated!!!

 

[screamingdaisy]

sure thing

this is what i normally set it
Channel 3 modern

Presence= 12:30 Master=3 oclock gain=2:30
Bass=12 mid=10:30 treble=1:30


I have tried lots of other settings and if I put the gain or anything up to high it just gets way to fuzzy,

Do you run the loop bypassed?

 

[fluff191]

sure thing

this is what i normally set it
Channel 3 modern

Presence= 12:30 Master=3 oclock gain=2:30
Bass=12 mid=10:30 treble=1:30


I have tried lots of other settings and if I put the gain or anything up to high it just gets way to fuzzy,

Do you run the loop bypassed?

I totally missed the 3:00 setting. Dang. That's pretty high.