LD1 tube not glowing

[trippy]

Hi
Looking @ the info on the manual it says that tube 1 (closer to the guitar input jack) is the one used for Lead 1.

I'm running the TA on LD1 (G, Y, R) but it doesn’t looks like the tube is glowing in that nice orange light.
All the other (2, 3, 4) do have this orange light.
Can anyone have a look at his TA back and let me know if it’s the same or not.
The LD1 sounds good though but since this is my first TA, I don’t have anything to compare to.
Thanks.

 

[elvis]

The orange glow is the filament. You can't always see it in a preamp tube, unless you manage to get it all dark around the tube.

Regardless, a tube will not work at all if the filament is not heating it. So if your amp works at all, the filament is on.

 

[trippy]

Thanks for the info.
I pulled out the tubes to have a closer look, it appears that there 3! Different types:
V1 + V2 = Mesa/Boogie.
V3 = Yugoslavia something….not very clear.
V4 + V5 = Grooves Tubes.

Obviously it’s the pre owner who installed them, the question is if this mix is recommended or a known setup among other TA users ?
Another thing I have noticed (which will sound maybe weird to you) I'm lack of gain, I'm not kidding, the LD2R sounds good, also the others but I'm use to fat aggressive blasting gain which is for me…. "not there"
I have over 20 years of experience with tons of gear, played and owned so many amps and preamps, I know what I'm looking for and I know what this monster can do but….something doesn't "sit"
I have a fresh set of high gain JJ's which I will install tomorrow and update here for the results.

 

[crane]

The yougoslavian tube is probably an Ei, pretty good in that position.
About the lack of gain, are all the tubes 12AX7 ? or is there some 12AT7 or 5751 ?
Also don't forget that LD2 modes are Mark II-IV based, so they could be a bit tricky to dial. First find a good sound with the dynamic voice set to 0, then ad the dynamic voice by little step. Presence and treble can be helpfull adding some gain.
If you still find that there's a lack of gain, I suggest you buy/borrow 5 12AX7 for replacement and new tests (I used to have 5 EH 12AX7 in my TA with good results if you don't want to begin the long "perfect sound quest" by mixing brand and tube type).

 

[elvis]

I put 5 new Mesa 12AX7 valves in mine, and it seems a bit low on gain to me. It helps to turn it up loud. But I'm used to my Studio Pre, which has TONS of gain.

One thing to check is if the MESA tubes are 12AX7 or SPAX7 (easy to spot by the foam wrapped around the tube). My experience with the SPAX7 is they are very low gain.