Well then we have a similar beast. I will give you a complete run down on what I have done and found. Most the threads I found here are about the Plus version with the 6L6s so I may be a little wordy having found someone with the same EL84 power tube amp. :lol:
But first, V1 is the preamp tube closest to the input jack, period. I will find the link to the mod you are asking about and post it in a few minutes.
In addition, here are the things I have done;
1) Mesa tech complete service
2) Installed a mercury magnetics OT & mercury magnetics fender black face reverb tranny
3) Tubes used
...........V1 - Mesa SpAX7
...........V2 - Tung-Sol 12AX7
...........V3 - Mesa 12AX7
...........V4 - Mesa 12AX7
...........V5 - TAD 12AX7-S
4) power tubes are Mesa EL84 green rating
5) cooling fan for tubes
6) new reverb tank
I play contemporary C&W, AC/DC. Worship, Eagles, SRV, R&B, etc. I was using the Line 6 M13 for OD enhancement until the #2 & #3 items. I found for home practice this thing can get a little loud. However, on stage I no longer use any OD. This thing cuts through the mix whether produced via PA w/ e906 Sennheiser or on it's own against a Dr. Z Stangray, 50 Watt Marshall, VOX AC30, or Fender Duo Sonic. It has great definition which I attribute to the mercury transformers since I used it without them for some time and they are amazing in my amp.
Here are my last produced stage settings [this was a big stage so the Vol & Master may be a little hot for more of a club setting when it is mic'd so you could roll the V back to about 3 & the Master to about 3.75 AND the presence just has to be adjusted every time since it really determines how I cut as well as how sharp my overall sound is];
Vol = 3.5, Mast = just above 4, Treb = just under 6, Bass = 7, Mid = 6.5, Rev = 6.5, Pres = 6.25
Still not sure about imbedding pictures or I would put some in. Mine has the amber/red light and no EQ and component board is stamped 1985. I do use the FX loop with my pedal board. I use the Mesa footswitch to switch between clean and crunch. I also use my guitars' volume knobs a lot for less or more bite based upon chording or soloing. These settings work with my 2008 Les paul Traditional, 1970 hotrodded Les paul Gold Top, hotrodded 1983 Stratocaster (SSH DiMarzio P/Us), and my 1981 Fender "The Strat". I do turn down the Master just slightly for the hotrodded guitars.
When the amp isn't being mic'd I just run up the Vol & Mast about the same a little at a time until the stage mix is fairly balanced. And so far I have no hum/hiss/noise issues.
While I have read about the extra lead level mod in this forum I have yet to feel I need that. Also, Mike Bendinelli at Mesa suggested using the Red rated power tubes in Class A amps like this due to heat and power tube life, though that was without having a fan. I have yet to try that as well and this thing has been going strong for about 2 years now.
Thought I would give you a COMPLETE run down. This way you might be able to try at least the settings without all the other stuff and let me know what you hear.
Dennis