Roadster fuse and valves question (from a Mesa newbie)

[guitarbloke]

Hi guys,

So after a year or so of deliberating and being unhappy with my Marshall DSL50 I finally pulled the trigger on a Roadster head today on Ebay at an awesome price. I'm currently super stoked waiting for it to arrive but I want to stock up on some spares.

Can anyone tell me - would this type of fuse be suitable for the Roadster head?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-Amp-T4A-T4AL-250v-Slow-Blow-20-x-5mm-Glass-Fuse-x-10-/230401247530?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item35a4fc092a#ht_933wt_1166

Also, if I want to get a set of tubes - am I better off buying individual tubes or to get a proper Mesa set of power and preamp tubs?

I've got a stash of old 12ax7's kicking around left over from my Marshall DSL (some of them are NOS), is it worth using these?

Any advice appreciated! This is my first proper Boogie (non-combo) and I really want to treat her right!

Cheers!

 

[MrMarkIII]

Those fuses look too short. Mine are 31 mm long.
Look on the chassis where the fuse lives. It will say 4A or 3A, etc.
That's the amperage of the fuse you need.
Be sure to get fuses designated as Slo-Blo, too.
It's not a brand, just a type usually used in amps.

There are several places to buy sets of tubes:
Doug's Tubes and Euro Tubes for a starter.
Any good 12AX7s you have should work as spares, and NOS tubes can be better quality than current production, so hang onto those.
The smaller preamp tubes do not wear out like the larger power tubes.
Mostly, folks fiddle with them to see if they can get a different sound, higher gain, lower gain, etc.

 

[domct203]

Can anyone tell me - would this type of fuse be suitable for the Roadster head?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-Amp-T4A-T4AL-250v-Slow-Blow-20-x-5mm-Glass-Fuse-x-10-/230401247530?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item35a4fc092a#ht_933wt_1166

That is not the correct fuse. You will need an AGC/SFE Slow-Blo type fuse (1/4" X 1-1/4"). The amperage rating will depend on the mains voltage mine is 4A @ 120VAC. I think the export models (230-250VAC) use a 2A Slow-Blo (check the rating that is marked on the amp), if so this is the fuse you need:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5pcs-AGC-...lectrical_Equipment_Tools&hash=item4163203f47

Make sure the fuse amperage rating matches what is written on the amp.

As for tubes, I would just get a set of Mesa STR-440 6L6GC's for now and roll the 12AX7's you already have.

Good Luck,
Dom

 

[guitarbloke]

That's awesome - thanks very much for the advice guys!

 

[guitarbloke]

What's the general consensus on JJ 6L6GC's? There's a store here in the UK that does some really great prices on matched quads so I'm kinda tempted, but not sure about the quality as have never used JJ tubes before.

 

[bluestometal]

What's the general consensus on JJ 6L6GC's? There's a store here in the UK that does some really great prices on matched quads so I'm kinda tempted, but not sure about the quality as have never used JJ tubes before.

Before you start changing tubes (specially the preamp ones) I suggest you REALLY tweak the amp before, if this's your first MESA then you'll learn that the more you tweak the more you come closer to the tone in your head (they're really NOT fast-dealing amps). As for the JJ's I really like it in my Triaxis (ECC83s) but they're darker than Mesa standard 12ax7's (at least compared to the ones I had in my preamp before) and I think it may be too dark for a Recto-oriented. That's a whole lot about taste but I really suggest you tweak and learn your new amp before starting playing with tubes. Enjoy your amp

 

[domct203]

What's the general consensus on JJ 6L6GC's?

I think they are a good sounding and robust tube for the money, but I think that the Mesa the STR-440 is a "clearer" sounding tube in the Roadster.

IMO the JJ ECC83 is a "dark" sounding tube but in a musical way, YMMV. I like one in V2 when there is a Tung-Sol reissue in V1 as the JJ seems to tame the higher-gain high end of the TS.

The current Mesa 12AX7 is a re-labeled JJ ECC83.

A popular "tube-cocktail" for the Roadster (& Rectos in general) is:
V1-Tung-Sol Reissue 12AX7
V2-JJ ECC83
V3 thru V5-Penta Labs 12AX7 (Shuguang Chinese)
V6-Sovtek 12AX7-LPS

DO NOT use any New Sensor Corp. tubes in V3 or V5 (Tone Stack & FX Loop buffer) as these are cathode follower positions and these tubes have been known to fail in cathode follower use. New Sensor Corp. brands include Sovtek, Electro-Harmonix, Tung-Sol (reissue) and Mullard (reissue).
Read more here:
http://www.forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=25102&start=19

Good Luck!

Dom

 

[guitarbloke]

Thanks Blues and Dom, I'll have a play about with rolling a few tubes and see what sounds good.
I've got no shortage of 12ax7's at home, but absolutely no power tubes so need to order some of those in Will go for the Mesa STR-440's to start with as suggested, and maybe grab some JJ 6L6's in a couple of months to see how they compare (since they're half the price!)

 

[bluestometal]

Will go for the Mesa STR-440's to start with as suggested, and maybe grab some JJ 6L6's in a couple of months to see how they compare (since they're half the price!)

Good idea!