Which color of Mesa tubes provide the most clean headroom?

[jryan]

Hi all,
forgive a newb if this topic has been covered on more than one occasion, but I've gotten some varying opinons on this.

I currently have a MK I RI and I'm about to replace the power tubes to the stock Mesa 6L6 tubes.

I was told that a higher number rating (pointed in the direction of this page: http://www.guitaramplifierblueprinting.com/Rating.html ) or grey, blue or white stamped tubes would give me the most clean headroom.

Now I've been told by Mesa directly that its the exact opposite and I should be looking for a Red, Yellow, or green set of tubes, that these would provide the most clean headroom.

Then its seems that I've also read the difference is very subtle if any and this is really why Mesa avoids this whold rating system to begin with.

So, I ask before i hit the local supplier of Mesa Boogie tubes today when I get off work...which to buy? They are currently holding a set of Green stamped 6L6s for me.

Thanks for the help!

 

[MrMarkIII]

Hi all,
forgive a newb if this topic has been covered on more than one occasion, but I've gotten some varying opinons on this.

I currently have a MK I RI and I'm about to replace the power tubes to the stock Mesa 6L6 tubes.

I was told that a higher number rating (pointed in the direction of this page: http://www.guitaramplifierblueprinting.com/Rating.html ) or grey, blue or white stamped tubes would give me the most clean headroom.

Now I've been told by Mesa directly that its the exact opposite and I should be looking for a Red, Yellow, or green set of tubes, that these would provide the most clean headroom.

Then its seems that I've also read the difference is very subtle if any and this is really why Mesa avoids this whold rating system to begin with.

So, I ask before i hit the local supplier of Mesa Boogie tubes today when I get off work...which to buy? They are currently holding a set of Green stamped 6L6s for me.

Thanks for the help!

Silly me, I would tend to trust the manufacturer's advice.
You don't state what tubes are in your amp now. Not enough headroom?
The easiest way to get more headroom is to raise the Master and lower the pre-amp volume. And run the amp at 100 watts.
If you run your master and pre-amps at 5 or 6, you're going to clip the power section no matter what.
Having said all that, the cleanest, stiffest tubes I've come across are the Groove Tubes GT6L6S.
But remember, your amp really isn't going to be louder, just cleaner.

 

[jryan]

Hi guys,

Your absolutely right...I decided there was probably no better source to trust than the Mesa tech themselves! And talk about friendly, they were very helpful and a real joy to talk to. Last time I called (insert name here) majoy amp retailer, I got a freaking computer to talk to, so nice to have some real advice coming from a real (very knowlegable) person on the other end taking the time to answer my questions.

Oh...Sorry, I forgot to mention..there were currently EL34s in the amp which just didnt seem to be working at all.

I purchased some new tubes tonight..Holy Smokes! Its like a new amp no kidding!

I can barely turn it up past two and its ear blistering loud. And clean as possible could be! I am truly enjoying the amp as it should be now!
BTW, I ended up with a 4 Yellow 6L6 tubes...so I'm not sure what that means...all I know is this thing is loud and clean as all get out! Now I just need to get the guys together to give it a real world test!

Thanks for all the help!

 

[JOEY B.]

The info that the person at Boogie gave you would seem to be correct. If the red color tubes have a lower idle current draw, then they are that much farther away from maximun plate dissipation and clipping. I just wonder why Groove Tubes states that their higher numbers distort later? Unless GT is saying that with their tubes dialed in to a certain idle current draw, the lower numbered tubes will distort earlier. Confusing info, for sure. :?

 

[srf399]

I don't get it....

If the color code doesn't really matter to mesa and I can put any color tube into my mesa fixed bias amp... and the mesa color code matches the GT number code.... why would other amp companies put adjustable bias in their amps?

Isn't that like putting a carburetor on an engine that cannot be adjusted and hoping that buying the manufactures gasoline that it will run properly?

That to me undermines their tube ratings and robo bs. It seems to me the only variable here is your sound and with the fixed bias you're left with the fixed bias amp less than fine tuned. It's like a guitar without adjustable bridge saddles to set the intonation!

 

[MrMarkIII]

Isn't that like putting a carburetor on an engine that cannot be adjusted and hoping that buying the manufactures gasoline that it will run properly?...
It's like a guitar without adjustable bridge saddles to set the intonation!

True, but carrying the mixed simile further, Mesa tests ALL the gasoline and ALL the strings so that they fit their products, they're not merely "hoping" they work.
Still, a lot of folks install adjustable bias in their Boogies, because real men like to wrench on stuff!