Which EL34 Tubes for my MKV?

[Boogie Fan]

Hi all,

I've been using the stock 6L6 power tubes that came with my MKV since I've had it. I've heard great things about changing them out for EL34's instead. I was wondering what the popular consensus was on which EL34 tube most people seem to like in the MKV. I've read many of the threads on EL34's here, but haven't seemed to narrow down which one ppl seem to like most. I thought about getting some of those Mesa EL34 STR-447's (which I've read are actually Sovteks), or even the STR-442's. Are other non-Mesa branded EL34's safe to use in the MKV? I'm mostly wanting to improve channel 2 and channel 3 with these tubes, not concerned about channel 1 sufferring so much.

 

[eudaimonia02912]

I use a mix of SED EL34s and TAD (re-labeled Chinese) EL34B-STRs. This mix sounds glorious.

Non-Mesa tubes will work fine in your amp. You just need to order them from a reputable dealer and tell them you want tubes that will bias properly in a Mesa amp.

 

[Jedro]

When I bought my MV, I required Guitar Center to give me a set of EL34s. They gave me Mesa. After about 8 months I bought a set of JJ E34L tubes. It wasn't a huge difference, but I gained some bottom end and my tone smoothed out a bit. Got rid of the harsh grind. If you are buying new tubes, might as well step it up a notch.

Check out Eurotubes. Very informative website and they are happy to help you over the phone.

 

[eudaimonia02912]

I've tried 5-6 different EL34s in this amp so far. (I haven't tried JJE34Ls yet.) The MESA STR 447s are the weakest by far.

 

[Boogie Fan]

When I bought my MV, I required Guitar Center to give me a set of EL34s. They gave me Mesa. After about 8 months I bought a set of JJ E34L tubes. It wasn't a huge difference, but I gained some bottom end and my tone smoothed out a bit. Got rid of the harsh grind. If you are buying new tubes, might as well step it up a notch.

Check out Eurotubes. Very informative website and they are happy to help you over the phone.

I was just reading on eurotubes website, where they said that "JJ EL34L's are not available for the MKV as they are for other Mesa kits because the fixed bias point on the MKV is hotter than other Mesa Mark amps." It said this on the last sentence of the header: Mesa Mark V Standard Retube with EL34's @ this link: https://ssl.eurotubes.com/cart/index.php?page=view_products&category_id=6&sub_category_id=242

Did you have to do a Bias Mod on the MKV to run these?

 

[Boogie Fan]

I use a mix of SED EL34s and TAD (re-labeled Chinese) EL34B-STRs. This mix sounds glorious.

Non-Mesa tubes will work fine in your amp. You just need to order them from a reputable dealer and tell them you want tubes that will bias properly in a Mesa amp.

I've tried 5-6 different EL34s in this amp so far. (I haven't tried JJE34Ls yet.) The MESA STR 447s are the weakest by far.

Thanks, for the info!

 

[Scary]

I've only tried the 450's but I like them alot.

 

[Chester]

Original winged C's have done it for me in both Mesa's I own :mrgreen:

 

[Neptical]

Winged =C='s are hard to beat.

 

[purpledc]

Whatever you decide to use I would suggest keeping your old mesa tubes. If your amp takes a dump on you with the new tubes your gonna want to throw your mesas in to get warranty service done. Of course the problem would only not be covered under warranty if its found that your tubes were what caused the problem but to me its not worth the risk.

 

[Jedro]

When I bought my MV, I required Guitar Center to give me a set of EL34s. They gave me Mesa. After about 8 months I bought a set of JJ E34L tubes. It wasn't a huge difference, but I gained some bottom end and my tone smoothed out a bit. Got rid of the harsh grind. If you are buying new tubes, might as well step it up a notch.

Check out Eurotubes. Very informative website and they are happy to help you over the phone.

I was just reading on eurotubes website, where they said that "JJ EL34L's are not available for the MKV as they are for other Mesa kits because the fixed bias point on the MKV is hotter than other Mesa Mark amps." It said this on the last sentence of the header: Mesa Mark V Standard Retube with EL34's @ this link: https://ssl.eurotubes.com/cart/index.php?page=view_products&category_id=6&sub_category_id=242

Did you have to do a Bias Mod on the MKV to run these?

Well, that's interesting. Eurotubes didn't have any info on Mark V retube kits at the time of my purchase, so I called to get some recommendations. Whoever I spoke with, not sure if it was Bob, highly recommended E34L tubes, so that's what I got. I guess its possible that they hadn't got their hands on a Mark V at that point. Either way, I've experienced no problems and I'm happy with the tubes. I may give them a call, though.