Newbie questions on Stiletto tubes

[Dr GearHead]

My Stiletto Ace 1x12 should be here next week, it’s my 1st tube amp so I am pretty green about these things.

I want to order some spare tubes in case any blow whilst I am giging, I was thinking about a set of boogie el34’s (seen them for £49 for the pair) and 1 x 12AX7. I noticed from the Mesa site the mention of a 5U4, I have never heard of these before, what’s it for and do I need a spare.

Thanks

 

[HipKitty]

Dr., the 5u4 tube is a rectifier tube. To simplify this, it's part of the power system of the amp.

Rarely should you have to replace a rectifier tube. The cases where you might have to include an actual manufacturing default with the tube itself (internal shorting), actual damage to the tube, or a fault within the amp itself.

Tube rectifiers have an effect on the response of the amp....there's more compression to the response and noted will "bloom", whereas with silicon diode rectifiers have a more articulate, immediate response.

 

[Dr GearHead]

thanks for the info mate,

can anyone recommend me some tubes for the ace ?.

 

[Rocky]

I use the Mesa STR450 power tubes in my Ace...they are way better than the stock Mesa El34s and blow JJ E34L tubes out of the water. I also have a set of the reissue Mullards and they are also excellent.

The preamp is up to you...lots of guys like the new Tung Sol 12AX7 preamp tubes a lot, some like JJ's. I use NOS tubes in mine....more expensive but they sound better.

 

[Dr GearHead]

Thanks for the info,

I heard the Mesa 450's are impossible to get now, which is a bummer. If you didn't have the 450's what would you use instead ?

Sorry to be a pain but have you got links to the Tung Sol's and NOS you mentioned, I just want to make sure I don't order the wrong thing.

Thanks again

 

[Rocky]

if you are looking for new tubes I'd suggest the reissue Mullards. I quite like them.

For special occasions I have a duet of Telefunkens that are godly...they are a pricey set of NOS tubes but I am glad I splurged on them.

In my opinion the JJ E34L tubes are terrible.....not clear and tight at all.

 

[HipKitty]

Dr., most of my clients with EL34 amps are using SED (Winged C) or TAD (Tube Amp Doctor) EL34's. I've only had a few clients request the new reissue Mullards. The Mullards sound and respond really good...just not quite like the old Mullards though :?

If you're going to purchase any output tubes for your Boogie, you need to consider how Boogie sets it's bias within the amp and how any new tubes will fit within the bias "range" that Boogie requests...of course, if you buy Boogie brand tubes, they will fit within the "range". There are other options though....I suggest that you contact a reputable tube dealer/distributor and/or Boogie for a consult before you buy.

 

[Silverwulf]

I use the Mesa STR450 power tubes in my Ace...they are way better than the stock Mesa El34s and blow JJ E34L tubes out of the water. I also have a set of the reissue Mullards and they are also excellent.

The preamp is up to you...lots of guys like the new Tung Sol 12AX7 preamp tubes a lot, some like JJ's. I use NOS tubes in mine....more expensive but they sound better.

I disagree about the 450's and prefer the JJ EL34L's myself. Just a matter of opinion... 8)

I may be in the minority, but I'm not crazy about the V1 Tung-Sol 12AX7 craze. The Tung-Sol, while a good tube, didn't really have much more to offer - to my ears - than some of the other standard issue tubes of the time.

I personally like the High Gain JJ's in the Stiletto. Adds some sparkle to the cleans, tames down anything brittle left in the top end, and gives you exceptional note clarity.