My "new" Amp + some questions

[PnKnG]

A Mesa Boogie Mark III without Grafic EQ. Brought it for around 530$. I'm going to order a 1x12 this weak so I can finally play it
1. Q: Is it possible to install a grafic EQ afterward?
2. Q: Any recumenditions for tubes? Because it's sounds a bit muddy and I'm planning on re-tubing it completely.
BTW: Enjoy the P0rn! And Comment!

The Front:

Front Left:

Front Right:

With Removed Grill:

The Back:

Red Strip in the upper left corner and the signature under the powercord:

Back Controls:

Speaker Outs and Serial Number:

And the Tubes:

 

[gem12]

With regards to tubes at least for my Boogie I always call Doug.
http://www.dougstubes.com/?gclid=CPjZpNKXppICFRImawodzl6FQg

He's somewhat known around this Forum.
Tell him that CA Guy w/ DC 10 sent you.

 

[Boogiebabies]

Your power tubs are NOS Phillips 6L6 GB's. I don't think you will find any better tube. :shock:

 

[dodger916]

I believe Mike B will be able to install a GEQ, or at least he said he could on a Mark II. The only drawback was he would need to install a Mark III faceplate; but that shouldn't a problem for your Mark III. 8)

Give him a call to confirm.

 

[adrenaline junkie]

I believe Mike B will be able to install a GEQ, or at least he said he could on a Mark II. The only drawback was he would need to install a Mark III faceplate; but that shouldn't a problem for your Mark III. 8)

Give him a call to confirm.

I think they charge around 450.00 to do it. A nice GEQ in the loop is a lot less expensive, and isn't that much different. When I called Mike B a year ago to see about getting it done, he basically talked me out of it.

 

[PnKnG]

@Boogiebabies: OK. but still. I don't know how old they are. After all they could be nearly 20 years old. Or should I at least switch out the pre-amp tubes? And if yes what tubes? Right now I have 1 Mesa, 2 Groove and 2 Electro Harmonix in it.

@doger916 and adrenaline junkie: ok. Thanks of the info. I will just buy a nice EQ pedal then.

BTW: I live in Europe. So if you recommended some site's that sell tubes make sure that they ship to Europe.

 

[Boogiebabies]

http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/

http://watfordvalves.com/

Most Phillips/Sylvania 6L6's are rated at about 11,000 or so hours of use.
If they were used 30 hours a month, they would last appoximatly 30 years. I have a few from 1960 that still test good.
Just looking at them, I would say they are in good shape. The glass is clean, no burn spots and the paint on the sockets is intact and bright green. If you want them tested, look for Ham radio users in your area. They almost all have tube testers.

 

[PnKnG]

http://www.tubeampdoctor.com/

http://watfordvalves.com/

Most Phillips/Sylvania 6L6's are rated at about 11,000 or so hours of use.
If they were used 30 hours a month, they would last appoximatly 30 years. I have a few from 1960 that still test good.
Just looking at them, I would say they are in good shape. The glass is clean, no burn spots and the paint on the sockets is intact and bright green. If you want them tested, look for Ham radio users in your area. They almost all have tube testers.

OK. How about some recommendations for pre-amp tubes then? Because they are normal tubes and not NOS tubes and I don´t know how old they are. should I buy the same tubes that I have in it now or some other. Also do I need to bias the tubes then or do I just stick them in? It's my first tube-amp and the bias/not bias/fixed bias think confuses me totally.

 

[Boogiebabies]

Preamp tubes are self biasing. All you do is plug them in the socket. They are however like food. There are many different textures and flavors, so you may have to try a few brands and even mix brands to find what tone you are looking for. For power tubes, the amp has a non-adjustable bias that uses fixed resistors. It should be around -51 volts stock, but the power tubes themselves all draw a different natural plate current. With varying natural plate current vendors use color codes, 1-10 ratings and double digit numbers. These represent the tubes predisposed or manufactured ability to draw more bias current, most often the higher the number, the more bias it will draw. In testing tubes, 100 of them would all have readings that vary from cool to hot and vendors match duets and quads by grouping them with similar numbers of natural current draw. So, if there are 48 tubes that draw 35ma of bias at -45 volts with 450 plate volts, they would have 12 quads of #35's etc. Each brand of tube differs as well. A number 5 rated Winged C may draw 10ma more than a number 5 rated JJ 6L6 etc. The safest way to re-tube is to use Mesa power tubes, GT's in a 5-6 rating or try to keep your vendors two digit rating between 30-40. The double digit rating is most often the natural plate current at 450V with a midrange bias applied. In most cases, medium graded 6L6's will do just fine.

 

[PnKnG]

OK. Thanks to make it clear to me. So looks next time I have a bit of money I'm going to the local guitarstore and tryout some pre-amp tubes.