What Tubes for 3ch Dual Rec?

[boogieslide]

Curious what others have found they like for tube choice in 3ch Dual Recs?
Preamp and power amp.
I just got one and it has all JJs in it. Might want to swap some things out, but have no idea where to start.

 

[prs1999]

The Mesa Tubes in this head always seemed like the best. I have been a sucker for Groove Tube 6L6's in the 2 Dual Rec's I've owned so this one got em too.
I tried a high gain trio set of JJ 12ax7's from Dougs Tubes,but this head has so much gain, I put the Boogies back in.
I found a pair of matched new old stock USA groove tube 5U4G's that absolutly lit up the feel,but thats a prefferance thing (plus they cost $100 for the 2)
Give your post some time here. Theres alot of guys using different sets and they'll have good input for you .

 

[jbird]

I prefer the stock Mesa offering.

 

[ibanez4life SZ!]

For preamp and power amp, I've always considered the stock mesa ones to be good, but how about rectifier? I haven't tried anything else....I hear the JJ's are much tighter.....true? Anything else to try?

 

[Platypus]

Here's what I've used in my Mesa Dual Rec:

Mesa Preamp (good overall)
JJ Preamp (very hot/gainy, would be too harsh with all JJ's in my mind)
Mesa 6L6 (Smooth, bassy (almost too much)
JJ 6L6 ( Tighter, even smooth high gain distortion)
Mesa EL34 (Weak, too much mid/treble)
JJ EL34L (Perfect compromise for EL34 crunch and tight low end)
JJ EL84 (with converter, otherwise it's a different pinout)
Mesa 5U4B Rectifiers (Mushy, inarticulate in my mind)
JJ GZ34 S Rectifiers (Tight, perfect sag)

The more I toyed with the preamp, the more I realized I like the JJ in V1 and the stock Mesa preamp tubes in the other 4. I prefered the JJ EL34L tube the most with the Dual Rec but it didn't have the thunderous low end of the Mesa 6L6 and the JJ 6L6 were.. so I alternate back and forth. The GZ34 is an awesome rectifier unfortunately I had a bad one and I had to switch back to the Mesas. I plan on putting the JJ's back at some point permanently.

There are lots of options in the tube realm, research your companies a little bit and find out what each tube offers, etc. Here are some resources:

http://www.dougstubes.com/
http://www.eurotubes.com

Also doesn't hurt to search for people who are running the set up you are going for.. a lot of times there are comments that might either sway you away from a choice or interest you more, etc... keep in mind tone is very subjective so look for the middle of the road responses.

 

[SteveP]

I just JJ6L6 and ECC83s and play metal.

For awhile I was using a JJ integrated quad set 2x6L6 2xE34L. That was really nice for a hard rock sound, actually anything really.

 

[sideburns]

I have a 2 channel dual rec and I use a quad of JJ KT77's, JJ 5 ECC 83 S's in the pre one being balanced for the phase inverter in the V5 position and the JJ GZ34's for rectifier tubes. I run it in EL34 mode and tube rectifier mode. I'm with platypus about the GZ34's. They tighten up the sag perfectly!

 

[dual rec]

I have a dual and when i got it it came with brand new stock mesa rectifiers. I have been trying to tighten my sound up more and more emgs, eq,etc. I am almost there do u guys think the jj GZ34 (5AR4) would be worth it. They are only $14.00 on eurotubes.

 

[Platypus]

I have a dual and when i got it it came with brand new stock mesa rectifiers. I have been trying to tighten my sound up more and more emgs, eq,etc. I am almost there do u guys think the jj GZ34 (5AR4) would be worth it. They are only $14.00 on eurotubes.

Put it this way.. with the JJ rectifiers I turned my underwound passive covered humbucker into a tight crunch machine. Combine that with EMG's and you've got some dangerous potential

I use my EMG707's with them too and it sounds ridiculously huge/tight

 

[dual rec]

I have a dual and when i got it it came with brand new stock mesa rectifiers. I have been trying to tighten my sound up more and more emgs, eq,etc. I am almost there do u guys think the jj GZ34 (5AR4) would be worth it. They are only $14.00 on eurotubes.

Put it this way.. with the JJ rectifiers I turned my underwound passive covered humbucker into a tight crunch machine. Combine that with EMG's and you've got some dangerous potential

I use my EMG707's with them too and it sounds ridiculously huge/tight

Awesome! sounds like what ive been lookin for. Ive been wanting to change tubes just to see if i liked somethin better and in order to change power tubes I have to take my amp to nashville and that is 2 hrs away. Sounds like im goin to spend about 35 bucks.

 

[ishoulddie]

Here's what i have in my Dual. Granted, it's a 2-channel, but this should work fine in a 3-channel as well.

Preamp tubes:
V1: RFT ECC83
V2: Chinese 12AX7
V3: Chinese 12AX7
V4: Chinese 12AX7
V5: RCA 12AT7 (adds a bit more clarity)

Power tubes: JJ E34L
Rectifier tubes: Philips Miniwatt GZ34

The Chinese 12AX7s sound good in the V1 position too, but they're kind of noisy.

 

[boogieslide]

Are the RFT ECC83s similar to Telefunken? I have a few Telefunkens and was thinkin about throwing one in V1 and then buying a few 9th Gen Chinese for V2 through V4 and a balanced 9th Gen for V5.
I may have an RCA 12AT7 laying around that I can try in V5 too.

 

[NoGlassNoClass]

+1 on the GZ34/5AR4 rectifiers...a HUGE improvement in how the amp feels

JJ 6L6, the SED 6L6's are nice too
I am constantly toying with the preamp, and keep returning to the JJ ECC83S (hi-gains). I would like to try the new Tung-Sol 12AX7 as well.

 

[redmax61]

Hey Platypus,

Since you and I seem to have pretty much the same taste in tone for our DR's 8)

Specifically, what is your favorite/current combination of tubes in your DR. I'm getting ready to retube and want to go with JJ EL-34Ls and 84's, but I'm not quite sure whether I want to try JJ's in the preamp. I like the sound I've got with the stock Mesa's, but I don't know if/how much of an improvement the JJs would be.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but does your setup look like this?
V1: JJ
V2-V5: Mesa
Power: EL-34L and EL-84
Rectifier: GZ34

 

[ChrisRocksUSA]

I use the mesa stock 6l6s

my amp came with them, and I love the tone.

Basically, I'm too scared to try something new b/c I'm scared I won't like it as much. I'm like that with everything in life. When I go out to eat at a restaurant, I'll usually always order the same thing b/c I'm scared to be disappointed

 

[redmax61]

LOL! :lol:

In my case, I've always liked the sound of 34's over 6L6's. My younger brother gave me the EL-34's and the Yellowjackets as a Christmas gift. What I ended up with was a whole new amp that just flat blows me away.