M/B Red and Blue Tubes

[Greenevil]

I am not sure if anyone has asked this question on the board before but what are the differences between Mesa Boogie "red" and "blue" tubes?

 

[sombra]

maybe the colors ??
huahauahuhauhauhauhauhuhauhuahuhauhauhua :lol:
sorry I can't resist

 

[Greenevil]

Haha nice! I knew that was coming sooner or later! LOL

 

[joey_truelove]

From what I can tell, it's the grading of the valves to which the colours apply. I think Blue is the softer one (softer response at set bias, distorts early) and the Red is the harder one (defined response at set bias, distorts later).

 

[Russ]

The color scale is basically an indicator of headroom before power tube distortion. It is just a little tighter patterned than GT's scale due to the catering towards Mesa amps instead of a general population of amps. Search it here. There have been several posts regarding color grades and order from most easily distorted to highest headroom.