Sweetwater is showing "new" mesa tubes

[Nandrewjackson]

Popped up recently in their listings. 6L6 mesa tubes marked "new" and "preorder".

Mesa/Boogie 6L6 Power Tubes - Matched Duet

6L6 Power Tubes, Matched Pair

www.sweetwater.com

 

[bandit2013]

I saw that too. They are TAD Rebase 6L6GC tubes. Supposed to be closer to the STR415. At least Mesa is looking into other resources due to the conflict with Russia and Ukraine.

6L6GCM-STR REDBASE TAD PREMIUM Selected

Our answer to the challange to build the best 6L6 type tube ever manufactured! brandnew in 2021 The TAD 6L6GCM-STR REDBASE is…

www.tubeampdoctor.com

I see the pictures of the tubes in the TAD website, base is marked with Germany. That just means the plastic base but where is the actual origin of the tube? I assume they are made in China as like the preferred series made for "thetubestore" in Canada. If they sound good and work, that is all that matters and if there is a good resource and supply chain is not muddied up with conflict mineral issues, works for me.

Before the Redbase line came out, they had a black base but the center keyed index on the tube would easily break off. They were a decent tube. Still have them. They did make some changes following that over the years.
For reference, prior to the Redbase version...

Preferred Series 6L6GC Audio Tubes - www.thetubestore.com

Preferred Series 6L6GC - in stock and ready to ship!

www.thetubestore.com

 

[TheRazMeister]

Popped up recently in their listings. 6L6 mesa tubes marked "new" and "preorder".

Mesa/Boogie 6L6 Power Tubes - Matched Duet

6L6 Power Tubes, Matched Pair

www.sweetwater.com

$100 for 2 tubes? And for the guy who said HIS tubes cost the same....not a realistic viewpoint. I just paid $106 for a set of 4 EL84's that used to cost $40

 

[TheRazMeister]

$100 for 2 tubes? And for the guy who said HIS tubes cost the same....not a realistic viewpoint. I just paid $106 for a set of 4 EL84's that used to cost $40

 

[bandit2013]

I put in a preorder for a quad. The Mesa branded versions. I understand they are made by PSvane. Shuguang is no more to my understanding. Considering prices these days, they are all expensive compared to what was paid yesterday.

 

[Eduardo78]

Yep, they seem the same to me. And always had good experiences with TAD, so I don't see no harm in that. And of course, it has obviously to do with sanctions applied to Russia. Rock on!

 

[Appleridge]

I bought these 448’s from Sweetwater a few months ago. I also have the TAD’s and agree they are identical in appearance. The TADs are a little hotter (not temp but sound). The 448’s seem to fit my mark iv better than the TADs, but both are good. Still wondering why the 448 isn’t on mesa’s website though…