visualrocker69
Well-known member
JUST KIDDING!!!
There's a lot of questions
Sorry, but I really need the help and greatly appreciate it!
I have a Mark IV coming soon. Used, but only for less than a year, and 100% mint condition!
The problem is since the previous owner has been using it for about a year, I ever might or might not have to change tubes, depending on how heavily he used it.
So a few questions regarding tubes… starting with some basic ones.
1) How do I know when I need to change the tubes? Any objective indications? I’ve never owned a tube amp before, so it’s not like I can just “hear” that the tubes sound worn out and need replaced…
2) Do you guys generally let your tubes die or replace them, uh, preemptively?
3) Basic question: Can you simply buy compatible tubes from ANY maker and put them into a Mark IV, or are there any adjustments that need to be made?
4) I read on the sticky that using GT tubes with a 4-7 rating will not void warranty. So, it follows that any other non-Mesa tube WILL void warranty? And what exactly is a 4-7 rating anyway?
5) Besides Mesa and Doug’s Tubes, what are some preferred retailers? Sources for NOS would be greatly appreciated to!
(Are Sylvania 6L6’s available anywhere? Or Mullard EL-34 Don’t worry, I won’t tell a soul… :wink: )
And now for some SPECIFIC tube questions…
Due to the board’s feedback on my previous question posts, I’ve resolved to keep the default Mesa tubes.
After some time, however, I’ll want to try different ones, so I might as well start deciding now.
By the way… the Mark IV can ONLY use four 6L6 or two 6L6 & EL-34 (outer) pairs for full functionality, right? I read something about other tubes, but then its limited to Tweed/Class A or something… Are 12AX7 the only preamp tubes it can use? I’ve read something about people using 6V6’s, 12A-something else…12AT7? 12AC7? What’s the deal with that?
6) Anyway, I’m trying to decide between two configurations…
SED 6L6GC/EL34 with Tung Sol 12AX7A’s in the preamp section…
…or simply four GT 6L6-GE with GT12AX7-M’s.
Those are both good, yes? How would the EL-34’s effect my tone, though?
A few of you (Guitarzan, Platypus, etc) swear by Groove Tubes. How would this four 6L6 configuration compare to four SED 6L6GC’s?
Does anyone have any corrections or alternate recommendations regarding those tube groupings I’ve chosen so far?
(Before anyone says JJ’s, I heard that they’re better for brighter/fizzier amps, and tend to suck a lot of the tone from the Mark IV, especially in the preamp section…)
I’m actually not sure about the preamp tubes at all… just picked up on the GT Mullard reissue’s from something boogiebabies said earlier…
Dunno about the Tung-Sol’s 12AX7 if I decide to go with SED 6L6 & El34 though. Is there something better? Boogiebabies says Tung-Sol’s are all marketing hype.
7) I’ve heard that V1 is by far the most important tube as far as determining sound, and the others can be viewed as “support tubes”. Is this the case? If so, would it be sufficient to put a more expensive tube in V1 and leave the rest as more affordable (but still reliable) tubes, or am I misunderstanding things?
And finally, some more technical questions… keep in mind I know NOTHING about tubes, unfortunately.
8 ) I know that Mesa utilizes fixed biasing, so their amps don’t need to be adjusted for different tubes, right?… but I don’t even know what biasing is to begin with!!! Can anyone give me an extremely condensed and un-technical explanation please?
I’m also unsure about what the term “matching” refers to, in the context of tubes.
9) I came across something about different colors on identical Mesa tubes… something about different idle amounts… what’s that all about?
Well that covers almost everything. So here comes the grande finale!
A clump of vague, unsorted questions
10) As far as tubes go, any other favorites?
What do you guys think of Sovtek, Shuguang, Penta Labs, Ruby, Svetlana… etc?
I’ve read Russ’s recommendation for Telefunken, Mullard, RCA, RFT, Mazda gray plates, Amperex, Bugle Boy, Brimar, Tungsram, Tesla…
So many names! Some of these seem like classics, as I’ve seen dougtubes refer to certain tubes they carry being similar to this or that one, but I’ve never actually heard of these out of that context. Any information anyone can give?
By the way… what’s the deal with SED? Dougstubes describes their 6L6GC as “The legendary 6L6 formerly known as Svetlana. Why are they so “legendary”? I see Svetlana tubes being retailed, so what's the connection between the SED and Svetlana?
And at last! Final question!
What, then, if I may ask, is considered to be the “Holy Grail” of 12AX7/12AC7/12-WHATEVER the best ones for the preamp section are?
Once again, THANKS A LOT, guys!!!
There's a lot of questions
Sorry, but I really need the help and greatly appreciate it!
I have a Mark IV coming soon. Used, but only for less than a year, and 100% mint condition!
The problem is since the previous owner has been using it for about a year, I ever might or might not have to change tubes, depending on how heavily he used it.
So a few questions regarding tubes… starting with some basic ones.
1) How do I know when I need to change the tubes? Any objective indications? I’ve never owned a tube amp before, so it’s not like I can just “hear” that the tubes sound worn out and need replaced…
2) Do you guys generally let your tubes die or replace them, uh, preemptively?
3) Basic question: Can you simply buy compatible tubes from ANY maker and put them into a Mark IV, or are there any adjustments that need to be made?
4) I read on the sticky that using GT tubes with a 4-7 rating will not void warranty. So, it follows that any other non-Mesa tube WILL void warranty? And what exactly is a 4-7 rating anyway?
5) Besides Mesa and Doug’s Tubes, what are some preferred retailers? Sources for NOS would be greatly appreciated to!
(Are Sylvania 6L6’s available anywhere? Or Mullard EL-34 Don’t worry, I won’t tell a soul… :wink: )
And now for some SPECIFIC tube questions…
Due to the board’s feedback on my previous question posts, I’ve resolved to keep the default Mesa tubes.
After some time, however, I’ll want to try different ones, so I might as well start deciding now.
By the way… the Mark IV can ONLY use four 6L6 or two 6L6 & EL-34 (outer) pairs for full functionality, right? I read something about other tubes, but then its limited to Tweed/Class A or something… Are 12AX7 the only preamp tubes it can use? I’ve read something about people using 6V6’s, 12A-something else…12AT7? 12AC7? What’s the deal with that?
6) Anyway, I’m trying to decide between two configurations…
SED 6L6GC/EL34 with Tung Sol 12AX7A’s in the preamp section…
…or simply four GT 6L6-GE with GT12AX7-M’s.
Those are both good, yes? How would the EL-34’s effect my tone, though?
A few of you (Guitarzan, Platypus, etc) swear by Groove Tubes. How would this four 6L6 configuration compare to four SED 6L6GC’s?
Does anyone have any corrections or alternate recommendations regarding those tube groupings I’ve chosen so far?
(Before anyone says JJ’s, I heard that they’re better for brighter/fizzier amps, and tend to suck a lot of the tone from the Mark IV, especially in the preamp section…)
I’m actually not sure about the preamp tubes at all… just picked up on the GT Mullard reissue’s from something boogiebabies said earlier…
Dunno about the Tung-Sol’s 12AX7 if I decide to go with SED 6L6 & El34 though. Is there something better? Boogiebabies says Tung-Sol’s are all marketing hype.
7) I’ve heard that V1 is by far the most important tube as far as determining sound, and the others can be viewed as “support tubes”. Is this the case? If so, would it be sufficient to put a more expensive tube in V1 and leave the rest as more affordable (but still reliable) tubes, or am I misunderstanding things?
And finally, some more technical questions… keep in mind I know NOTHING about tubes, unfortunately.
8 ) I know that Mesa utilizes fixed biasing, so their amps don’t need to be adjusted for different tubes, right?… but I don’t even know what biasing is to begin with!!! Can anyone give me an extremely condensed and un-technical explanation please?
I’m also unsure about what the term “matching” refers to, in the context of tubes.
9) I came across something about different colors on identical Mesa tubes… something about different idle amounts… what’s that all about?
Well that covers almost everything. So here comes the grande finale!
A clump of vague, unsorted questions
10) As far as tubes go, any other favorites?
What do you guys think of Sovtek, Shuguang, Penta Labs, Ruby, Svetlana… etc?
I’ve read Russ’s recommendation for Telefunken, Mullard, RCA, RFT, Mazda gray plates, Amperex, Bugle Boy, Brimar, Tungsram, Tesla…
So many names! Some of these seem like classics, as I’ve seen dougtubes refer to certain tubes they carry being similar to this or that one, but I’ve never actually heard of these out of that context. Any information anyone can give?
By the way… what’s the deal with SED? Dougstubes describes their 6L6GC as “The legendary 6L6 formerly known as Svetlana. Why are they so “legendary”? I see Svetlana tubes being retailed, so what's the connection between the SED and Svetlana?
And at last! Final question!
RR said:Sylvania's 6L6s are the "Holy Grails" of the 6L6s, just like Mullard EL34s are the "Holy Grails" of the EL34s.
What, then, if I may ask, is considered to be the “Holy Grail” of 12AX7/12AC7/12-WHATEVER the best ones for the preamp section are?
Once again, THANKS A LOT, guys!!!