Tubes Dying, recommendations?

[RocknRory]

Hey guys, two years ago I bought a quad of SED Winged =C= 6L6's and EL34's from dougstubes.com. I went through the 6L6s the first year, then put the EL34s in and finally I think they are starting to go. The tone is weak and dull, and the volume is low. I emailed doug and found out he doesn't carry Winged C's anymore, so I'm wondering what you guys would recommend. I want a quad of 6L6s and EL34s again, hopefully not too expensive. $130 max per quad, or less. I play a variety of styles, ranging from funk, jazz, alternative rock, classic rock, metal, and more. Any recommendations are helpful, thanks

 

[mesaboogie6L6]

http://www.thetubestore.com/SED-Winged-C

 

[Bob A.]

RocknRory, I'm due for a tube replacement as well. How would you compare the stock Mesa 6L6's to the Winged C 6L6's?

 

[RocknRory]

RocknRory, I'm due for a tube replacement as well. How would you compare the stock Mesa 6L6's to the Winged C 6L6's?

It's been so long (2 years) since I've used Mesa tubes, so I can say exactly what the changes were, but I definitely noticed positive changes. I changed my preamp tubes out at the beginning also, to what doug recommended with his Mesa preamp tube "cocktail". SED Winged =C='s are indeed expensive now, I may consider using something else. After emailing Doug for a recommendation, he said "The RUBY 6L6GCMSTR's and the RUBY EL34BSTR's would be the way to go." Anyone have experience with these tubes? Thanks.

 

[farren]

Mesa 440s are Ruby 6L6GCMSTRs. Easy to recommend the Ruby tubes given that. I don't use Mesa pre-amp tubes, but I'm satisfied with the power tubes, granted I don't play ultra-loud often.

I can't say the same about the Ruby EL34BSTRs, but only because I don't actually know what Mesa's EL34s are. They could very well be the same thing as well. Someone else will probably chime in with more on that.

Doug recently told our own mesa metal that the Winged =C=s are being produced from cheaper components now and that they are testing like garbage, no longer worth the price. I'd only buy =C=s if you know they are older stock. As of a few days ago Doug still had some old stock available, but he will not be buying more of this new generation of inferior =C=s.

 

[JEB3]

I purchased a quad of SED =C= 6L6 from the tube depot. they only lasted about 9 months. Not worth getting more. Now using TS 6L6. I like them, sweeter sounding than the mesa 6L6s, but I only play at moderate volumes so not sure how they compared cranked.

 

[bandit2013]

I have had good success with a matched quad of Tung Sol 7581. I had Doug set me up with a set since he steared me away from the winged =C= that he had in inventory (he only had two matched pairs and a quad of GT's). The 7581 burned in nicely, well balanced tone. Just an option or alternate to 6L6 GC. I usually play moderate to loud, just high enough to feel the air pressure changes. The sound great in all modes, 10W, 45W and 90W as well as all channels too. I have no issues with them to date. Had them in for at least 6 weeks. I play every day during lunch and after work for a few hours.

 

[bandit2013]

I have had good success with a matched quad of Tung Sol 7581. I had Doug set me up with a set since he steared me away from the winged =C= that he had in inventory (he only had two matched pairs and a quad of GT's). The 7581 burned in nicely, well balanced tone. Just an option or alternate to 6L6 GC. I usually play moderate to loud, just high enough to feel the air pressure changes. The sound great in all modes, 10W, 45W and 90W as well as all channels too. I have no issues with them to date. Had them in for at least 6 weeks. I play every day during lunch and after work for a few hours.

What was is no more.... They lasted about a month of use before going flat. Bias may be a bit too hot for longevity. Still have to get around to measure cathode current, grid voltage, plate voltage. Getting a meter would help me determine what tubes will last or fail provided the specs are available. Now have Groove Tubes GT6L6-R2 (which are old stock SED Winged = C=). If you could find a set of STR420's they sound just as good but not so deep in the bass frequencies (those were the Chinese tubes Mesa used in the late 90's to 2000.