Tubes for a Mess Boogie Mark Series Amp

[Bustangs]

Confused about the various options for tubes and how different tubes effect the tone.

Any good primers around?

 

[mrmark3]

Confused about the various options for tubes and how different tubes effect the tone.

Any good primers around?

Although you didn't specify which mark series, Google this:
"mesa mark iii manual".
Scroll down to Maintenance and Service Guide.
This explains which tube does what.
Enjoy.
Also, this:
http://www.thetubestore.com/Resources/Guitar-Amp-Info/Gain-Factor
This explains tube differences, like 12AX7 vs 12AU7 vs 5751, etc.

 

[kdorsey]

Preamp or power tubes? And depending on your goals, Mesa tubes are generally a safe replacement for either. But on the preamp side, there are lots of options that can yield some cool tonal differences. Search these boards for lots of in-depth discussions on the topic.

 

[Hockeydog]

If I can throw another question into this - Can any 6L6 Boogie amp use any Mesa Boogie 6L6 tube? In other words does Mesa bias all 6L6 amps the same? I am using 6L6 as the example because I have 2 6L6 Boogies ( MarkIIb and Electra Dyne) but the question could be about EL84 / EL34/ 6V6 Mesa tubes as well. For the 6L6's at least I know there is a color code. My reason for asking is because I bought a set of TAD 6L6WGC-STR from the Tubestore that are matched for the Electra Dyne but I'd like to try them in the MarkII and the Mesa 6L6's in the Electra Dyne. Thank you.

 

[LDT]

In my MK1, I use NOS Sylvania 6L6's and Mesa preamp tubes. I also have tried recent issue Mesa 6L6's in this amp and they sound good. For the newer MKV25 I use Mesa tubes across the board.

 

[treedroppings]

due to lack of gigging, I have 7+ years of no retubing and now, due to actually tripping over a power cord, I have to hunt down some tubes and maybe a tech