Lonestar Special advise and opinions

[go7]

New member ,hi guys! Just bought a second hand Lonestar Special. Have a few questions;Are these self biasing? Can I put in some nos power tubes without rebiasing? In general what pre amp tubes do you guys reccommend for this amp in what position? I play Blues ,Classic rock,jazz and some heavier stuff. Is this amp versatile for these syles? Any info or opinions much appreciated. Thanks!!This Lonestar Special will join my Rivera 45 Clubster, `65 Bf Deluxe Reverb, 5E3 tweed Deluxe, Victoria 5112, and Marshall 18 watt reissue. Any info appreciated.Thanks !!

 

[ylo]

The quick answer is new Tung Sol 12AX7 and JJ EL84s, but opinions vary.

Do a search of this board and you will find tons of information and informal test results from Timbrewolf and other posters, some of it for the LSS, and some for the DR, TriAxis and other amps.

 

[go7]

Thanks ylo; I was hoping for some nos reccomendations as I have a lot of nos tubes. But thanks anyhow.Good Luck!!

 

[Timbre Wolf]

I was hoping for some nos reccomendations as I have a lot of nos tubes.

What NOS tubes do you have? What kind of a tonal emphasis are you looking for? Do you want earlier-breakup or to have the amp stay clean longer? The answers to those few questions will be a good starting point.

As for the power-tube biasing question: you're going to use caution with non-Mesa tubes. Even with a cathode-biased amp, some tubes can draw current thats outside of the specified range for the amp.

Hope Timmerel will chime in here, too.

- Thom


p.s. - Welcome to the Boogie Board!!!

 

[go7]

Thanks I found some mullard 12ax7`s a 5751 an an 12at7 for pre amp and nos Tesal [notJJ] EL84`s totally changed the tone. This amp went from wanting to awesome!! How can Mesa sell those useless Sovteks? IMHO the worst tube made todayalso see Watford valve reviews.The Lonestar Special is now very Special.Thanks!!

 

[geddyentwistle]

somewhere else i had read that tung sols are repackaged sovteks...



is that true??


to liven up my LSS

 

[Barracuda]

Is this amp versatile for these syles? Any info or opinions much appreciated. Thanks!!

Its useless for all those styles! I'll take it off your hands for a say 400 or so. I'll pay shipping expense of course! :lol:








Just kidding man I have one of the first LSS's they're great. Enjoy!

 

[DropD]

I too just recently got my hands on a LSS 2x12. Just joined the forum...also looking for tweaking info. for good tube replacement and perhaps speakers...thinking about Tone Tubby. Speaker thoughts? (I have an Astroverb w/ a ceramic and it ROCKS.) I play mostly Classic Rock, Blues, Southern Rock...nothing 'Modern' or Heavy Metal (except just to release some steam from time to time). Thanks!

 

[ylo]

Drop D:

Based on the type of music you play, maybe you would like a slightly brighter speaker. I put an Eminence Red White & Blues in my 1x12 LSS, and I think it sounds great. It really opened up the clean sounds and made the blues sounds a little more "up front" without making the sound shrill. The great thing about Eminence is that you can find a Patriot or Redcoat with just about any tone you might want.

In your case, you might get some good results by mixing speakers, as long as the efficiencies (SPL ratings) are about the same. Mixing speakers can make a 2x12 sound more three dimensional.

Search this group for other suggestions for LSS speakers.

 

[SabuJSE]

I've completely retubed with JJ's but have left the speakers alone as I find them to be quite rich and nice. I also use an external 1x12 cab so I get some nice sound seperation there.