Roadster Tube Change advice.

[dimecore]

Im looking to change the tubes in my Roadster Combo.
looking for a little input and some information as this will be the first time i have done this.
im looking for a higher gain sound if that is possible but i love the huge warm clean tone too.
the amp already achieves this with the stock tubes, but im just wondering if any of you have got a better tone but doing a swap out.

 

[domct203]

If by "higher gain sound" you mean more compression and saturation, the Recto is just not designed like that. Have you tried a clean boost in front of the amp? That will help add some saturation and sustain.

A good start is to swap your input tube ( V1 ) with a Tung-Sol reissue. They are a clear sounding tube with good gain potential.

Your V1 tube has the biggest effect on the tone character of the entire amp. Try some different tubes in that position to get a feel for how each brand sounds. Popular brands are the Tung-Sol, Electro Harmonix, Shuguang/Penta Chinese & JJ. The current Mesa 12AX7 is a relabeled JJ.

There are numerous threads on this board that discuss tube swaps and such in the Rectifier series. There is great info to be had there, more than I could put in a single post.

Hope this helps,

Dom

 

[KH Guitar Freak]

I actually dig the Mesa SPAX7 preamp in V1... 8)

 

[majrsounds]

I was having problems dialing in the tones I needed and decided to swap the preamp tubes. I bought a set of JJs from Eurotubes and have been happy ever since. They just brought all four channels to life for me. My Roadster is a 2008 model.

 

[domct203]

I was having problems dialing in the tones I needed and decided to swap the preamp tubes. I bought a set of JJs from Eurotubes and have been happy ever since. They just brought all four channels to life for me. My Roadster is a 2008 model.

Try a Tung-Sol in V1 if you want to overcome some of the dark character of the JJ's.

Dom

 

[talltxguy]

Nothing sounded better than some warm KT-77's in my old Roadster combo! Great cleans and enough chunk and low end to pull off old Metallica.

 

[majrsounds]

Thanks domct203 for the suggestion about the Tungsol in V1. What a difference in all channels. It really opened up the sound. I use a Fulltone Fat Boost in front along with a Fulltone OCD. My effects loop has a Carl Martin Compressor which I sometimes use on channels 1 and 2. I have been playing for about 50 years and used many amps (including several other Mesas). I will never part with this rig! 8)

 

[domct203]

Thanks domct203 for the suggestion about the Tungsol in V1. What a difference in all channels. It really opened up the sound. I use a Fulltone Fat Boost in front along with a Fulltone OCD. My effects loop has a Carl Martin Compressor which I sometimes use on channels 1 and 2. I have been playing for about 50 years and used many amps (including several other Mesas). I will never part with this rig! 8)

Glad to help!

Dom

 

[BluesAndBooze]

I actually dig the Mesa SPAX7 preamp in V1... 8)

I go with that to 8)

 

[ironjose]

i do love the sound of the Tung sol in V1 position... it opened the sound of the amp... and adds brightness to it... it makes me want to crank it !!!