Tube Q

[Holy Diver]

Anyone know what Mesa use for:

Mesa 12AX7 Chinese 1

They are in my 07 Roadster...

 

[espboogie123]

I believe they were used to replace the failing Mesa relabeled Russian tubes in Cathode follower positions, which in the Roaster is in V3 and V5.

 

[fluff191]

I believe they were used to replace the failing Mesa relabeled Russian tubes in Cathode follower positions, which in the Roaster is in V3 and V5.

Correct.

My 08 Recto actually came with all Chinese tube except for a JJ in V1. Go figure.

 

[espboogie123]

My 08 Recto actually came with all Chinese tube except for a JJ in V1. Go figure.

Thats funny. My late 09 roadster came with pure Mesa relabed JJs. Nice way to darken up a dark amp. :shock:

 

[Holy Diver]

Interesting, my roadster actually has all 6 preamp tubes 12AX7 Chinese 1.

Anyone know what brand this tube is?

 

[fluff191]

Interesting, my roadster actually has all 6 preamp tubes 12AX7 Chinese 1.

Anyone know what brand this tube is?

Shuguang. I suspect the Mesa's are some sort of STR, because I LOVE the Mesa Chinese and have yet to find a non-Mesa Chinese that sounds as good. The Penta Labs are close but arent quite as full sounding. Same with the Ruby's.

 

[fluff191]

Thats funny. My late 09 roadster came with pure Mesa relabed JJs. Nice way to darken up a dark amp. :shock:

See that is what I don't understand. Were the Russian tubes at the time (2008) just crap or what? Cause they tell everyone not to put Russians in the Follower positions yet they put all JJ's in the amps.

I love the tone of my Recto with ALL EH in my amp. Hmmmm

 

[cscotto]

Thats funny. My late 09 roadster came with pure Mesa relabed JJs. Nice way to darken up a dark amp. :shock:

See that is what I don't understand. Were the Russian tubes at the time (2008) just crap or what? Cause they tell everyone not to put Russians in the Follower positions yet they put all JJ's in the amps.

I love the tone of my Recto with ALL EH in my amp. Hmmmm

My 2007 Roadster came with EHs in V1, V2, V4, and V6. It had Chinese tubes in V3 and V5. I also like the EHs. Here is my current tube line up:

V1 Tung-sol RI
V2 EH
V3 9th gen. Chinese
V4 EH
V5 Chinese
V6 Sovtek LPS

 

[fluff191]

I also run a Sovtek LPS in the PI. Sounds massive.

 

[volatileNoise]

Interesting, how long would you guys say preamp tubes generally last in the Dual Rec?

Had mine for a couple of years now, including loud gigging and now being pushed with a boost pedal...

Ch3 seems to be getting noisy, or maybe it was always noisy - not too sure, sounds great though.

 

[cscotto]

Interesting, how long would you guys say preamp tubes generally last in the Dual Rec?

Had mine for a couple of years now, including loud gigging and now being pushed with a boost pedal...

Ch3 seems to be getting noisy, or maybe it was always noisy - not too sure, sounds great though.

Generally, preamp tubes last a very (emphasis on very) long time, at least that was true for NOS tubes. They do not wear out like power tubes. I have bags of mesa Chinese tubes from the 80's and 90's that still test like new. I also have a handful of RCA tubes from the 60's that still sound good in the right amp. The biggest problem I have had with modern production tubes is they will go microphonic, especially in V1. Does not mean the tube is bad because it may work perfectly fine in another position. The phase inverter tube, however, should be changed when you change power tubes. As far as noise goes, it depends on the noise. Hiss on the high gain channel is normal while crackling, popping, high pitched whining is not.