Money No Object - Best DR Power tubes for Modern Rock Tone?

[wta]

If money where no object what would be the very power tubes in a Trem-O-Verb for modern rock tone???

I've been studying pre amp tubes and have on order
2 - MATCHED PAIR NOS RFT ECC8 ($22 each)
2 - NOS Raytheon 12AX7 Long black plates, halo getter 1960 ($30 each)
2 NOS RCA ECC83 Long grey plates, rectangle getters 1958 ($22 each),\
2 - Sylvania 12AX7 Long grey plates, halo getter, copper grid posts 1961 ($22 each)
2 - Modern Cryo Tungsol 12AX7 ($12 each)

I've got 2 tremoverb combos and am wanting to get them in top tonal shape. One is loaded with JJs in the pre and EL34s and the other has stock Mesa in the pre and power. My guess is the Mesa tubes are the originals but thats a guess, the amp is from '98.

ANY input is gladly welcomed of both pre amp and power amp subjects!!!

Thanks y'all!!!

 

[yeti]

some would say you're wasting your extra money on matched tubes.

some would say otherwise.

i personally think the new tung sols are too dark and muddy tonewise...but thats just me.
and they're VERY inconsistent from tube to tube, both in test results and sound.
something i've found that sounds better in the darker range is but is more defined is and not as weak sounding would be a GE labeled 7025...with 3 mica. to my ears, it seems to have the same responsiveness, just bigger, and clearer.

some people love them though. i don't, but i dont hate them (tung sol reissues) and, like the JJ they do have a place in a brighter amp.

 

[wta]

Sorry Yeti, are you talking preamp or power tubes?

 

[wta]

Well, I bit the bullet and went with a quad of 6L6GC RCA blackplates. They are used but tested to be high and at $200 I felt this would be a good investment in my tone. Having two amps to maintain is a touch pricey BUT I'm retubing both because I have no idea how long any of the tube have been in their and their current stability. Now I can know each tube, its rating and have backup ready AND I'll still have the tubes I'm pulling to have as backup once I have them tested. Overall guitar and amp upkeep is very low in cost compared to many other types of careers, if I wasn't using my gear for income I'd have a different headspace (maybe, ;-) ) however I really can't complain spending $400 to retube my amps with NOS tubes, top quality speakers which are V30s in one and Emenince Goveners in the other. This is going to be a fun week getting the new tubes and experimenting, I'll do my best to document my findings and post...

I could NEVER had ventured this deep into NOS tubes without this forum and all the guys who have taken the time to post their thoughts and experiences including but not limited to Mav, Timbre Wolk and 94Trem...

Boogie Board ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[yeti]

preamp. sorry, my mistake!!

 

[212Mavguy]

@wta

Thanks for the compliment!

FWIW, bias mod kits for Mesa's are available, you might even find ones for your T-verbs on fleabay. It's nice to bias your power tube section right into the sweet spot, it's a good part of losing that store bought tone and getting your signature sounds.

 

[wta]

@wta

Thanks for the compliment!

FWIW, bias mod kits for Mesa's are available, you might even find ones for your T-verbs on fleabay. It's nice to bias your power tube section right into the sweet spot, it's a good part of losing that store bought tone and getting your signature sounds.

You said it Mav, its vital that I get my tone into the bullseye, I want my albums and live rig too to turn heads and ears with them and the status quo a guy MIGHT get by on but killer tone is the ticket to open industry doors and getting more music lovers to pay attention and buy albums. I'm tracking a modern rock album right now and I just got some groovy pre amp tubes that have made a night and day difference and once I get my power tubes, in the next few days I'll be ready for some killer guitar tracks...
I want to move forward on the bias mod and learn how to do the biasing myself, off to ebay I go! What would be a good search phrase to use?

 

[212Mavguy]

I searched Mesa Boogie bias on eBay, and got this:

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=mesa+boogie+bias&_sacat=See-All-Categories

:wink:

 

[wta]

Cheers Mav!!