Mark V and Mercury transformers

[huje]

Anyone has experience with Mercury Magnetics tranny and the Mark V ? I love my Mark V, but still interested in making it even better.

 

[talltxguy]

What kind of preamp tubes and output tubes are you running?

 

[huje]

Just stock, mesa 6l6. I´ve had it for 4 months and loving it. It´s become my nr1, so now I´m just fine adjusting to get the most out of it. Haven´t experimented with tubes yet.

 

[talltxguy]

I asked about tubes because I think NOS preamp tubes will make a difference in tone. I replaced tiny trannies on a DC-3 with Hammond trannies and was quite pleased, but I don't think replacing those big trannies on the Mark V with Hammonds, Mercuries, or whatevers is gonna do anything for making the tone better.

I haven't owned a Mark V but have owned a Roadster and a Lonestar, and I can say that NOS preamp tubes sound better than stock Mesa preamp tubes.

 

[huje]

Ok. Well the reason for me changing trannies is also that this amp is a US model. Now I´m back in Europe, and I use a step-down converter. Would be nice to get rid of this, and at the same time improve sound.

 

[crane]

The power tranny won't really change your sound IMO (unless if it's close to saturation, which shouldn't be the case with the MkV). But it will dispense you from using a stepdonwn one before the amp !

Give a try to an EL34 powertube set, it help focus mine a lot and improve tone for channel 2 and 3. If you don't take Mesa's branded tubes (warranty, blabla) be aware that "mesa matched tubes" are a bit hot for the MarkV. I've taken EH EL34 but have to order one "Mesa bias range" (36mA) pair and one really colder pair (28mA) for the inner sockets.
Otherwise the innerpair was biased around 60mA in 90W mode, around 70mA in 45W mode.... way too much !

 

[huje]

Crane, I have to admit I´m not sure what you really are talking about
But now I tried 4 matched JJ EL34 tubes on my Mark V. I´m convinced that this amp has been made for 6L6´s, because it sounds so much better with the stock mesa 6l6. Both clean and dirty. Especially clean, there is no comparison.

 

[crane]

And I have to admit that my english isn't that good ^^

Yeah quite technical. Just try some EL34, borrow a quad of them (Mesa branded) from a friend, or buy one. It really change the character of the amp !