Update 08/26/2010: Man, I like EL34's in my Mark V. Haven't had a chance to get the new 6l6's installed, and may not go back. See my latest post in this thread for a current sound clip.
*********Update 05/10/2010: One pair of 6l6's is being replaced by Mesa under warranty. I was 2 weeks over the 6 month tube warranty but they were gracious enough to send a pair anyway.*********
Once the new tubes arrive and I achieve a quiet amp with 6l6's, I will re-record the clips and post the results.
Update 5/24: Received one matched pair of 6l6's from Mesa. I will post new clips soon.
*************************************************************************************************************
Hi folks.
I have been struggling with noise issues (mainly in channel 1 EDIT 05/07/10: Probably caused by CH1 being at 90 Watts and CH2 and CH3 at lower wattage, therefore outer tube may be defective) in my Mk5 since day one.
I recently swapped the stock 6l6 tubes for EL34's as an experiment in tone, but also found that it caused my noise issues to disappear.
Rig:
ESP Eclipse II (less than one week old, factory stock 2010 model) EMG 81 in bridge.
Evidence Audio Melody cables, all true bypass pedals (tuner/modfactor/)
Mesa Mark 5 combo (5 months old)
Preamp tubes: Original Stock Mesa 12ax7's in all positions except V1 JJ ECC803 (I originally tried to solve the noise with this tube)
Mesa Slave Out (noon position) into a Palmer PDI-09 set to "Normal" and "0" attenuation.
Presonus Firepod
Sony Acid Pro 7
Recorded as 24/96 WAV, bounced to 16 bit/ 44.1 WAV
Material:
A riff from a Porcupine Tree tune called "Blackest Eyes". Drop D tuning on the low E, otherwise, standard tuning.
My playing is sloppy, but the tonal differences will shine through.
Amp Settings:
Channel 3 MK IV mode
45 Watt mode
EQ off
Loop in Hard Bypass
Bright: On
Gain at 2 o'clock
All other controls at Noon.
6l6 clip (original stock Mesa 6l6's, bias switch set accordingly)
http://www.box.net/shared/3lpjerr39g
el34 clip (Mesa EL34 tubes purchased at GC this past weekend, bias switch set accordingly)
http://www.box.net/shared/h6euuaydyv
My observations
-I use too much gain! I need to lay off the gain knob a bit!
-The EL34's completely eliminated all noise at idle (possibly had a bad 6l6? anyone?)
-The El34's are much less compressed sounding (6l6's break up earlier? not a bad thing though..)
-Although I didn't record it, the cleans are much "sweeter" sounding with the EL34's. I love the cleans now.
In conclusion, I love EL34's in the Mark 5 with my Eclipse. When I get my strat back from the shop I will post my observations.
I have to wonder, however, if my noise issues were caused by a faulty 6l6?
*********Update 05/10/2010: One pair of 6l6's is being replaced by Mesa under warranty. I was 2 weeks over the 6 month tube warranty but they were gracious enough to send a pair anyway.*********
Once the new tubes arrive and I achieve a quiet amp with 6l6's, I will re-record the clips and post the results.
Update 5/24: Received one matched pair of 6l6's from Mesa. I will post new clips soon.
*************************************************************************************************************
Hi folks.
I have been struggling with noise issues (mainly in channel 1 EDIT 05/07/10: Probably caused by CH1 being at 90 Watts and CH2 and CH3 at lower wattage, therefore outer tube may be defective) in my Mk5 since day one.
I recently swapped the stock 6l6 tubes for EL34's as an experiment in tone, but also found that it caused my noise issues to disappear.
Rig:
ESP Eclipse II (less than one week old, factory stock 2010 model) EMG 81 in bridge.
Evidence Audio Melody cables, all true bypass pedals (tuner/modfactor/)
Mesa Mark 5 combo (5 months old)
Preamp tubes: Original Stock Mesa 12ax7's in all positions except V1 JJ ECC803 (I originally tried to solve the noise with this tube)
Mesa Slave Out (noon position) into a Palmer PDI-09 set to "Normal" and "0" attenuation.
Presonus Firepod
Sony Acid Pro 7
Recorded as 24/96 WAV, bounced to 16 bit/ 44.1 WAV
Material:
A riff from a Porcupine Tree tune called "Blackest Eyes". Drop D tuning on the low E, otherwise, standard tuning.
My playing is sloppy, but the tonal differences will shine through.
Amp Settings:
Channel 3 MK IV mode
45 Watt mode
EQ off
Loop in Hard Bypass
Bright: On
Gain at 2 o'clock
All other controls at Noon.
6l6 clip (original stock Mesa 6l6's, bias switch set accordingly)
http://www.box.net/shared/3lpjerr39g
el34 clip (Mesa EL34 tubes purchased at GC this past weekend, bias switch set accordingly)
http://www.box.net/shared/h6euuaydyv
My observations
-I use too much gain! I need to lay off the gain knob a bit!
-The EL34's completely eliminated all noise at idle (possibly had a bad 6l6? anyone?)
-The El34's are much less compressed sounding (6l6's break up earlier? not a bad thing though..)
-Although I didn't record it, the cleans are much "sweeter" sounding with the EL34's. I love the cleans now.
In conclusion, I love EL34's in the Mark 5 with my Eclipse. When I get my strat back from the shop I will post my observations.
I have to wonder, however, if my noise issues were caused by a faulty 6l6?