Which tubes should i go for in my Dual Rec?

[paulburns1984]

Title says it all really, I want a really nice all round rock tone that can go from gnR, Slash, Foo Fighters, MCR to some more amercian voiced newer bands such as Fightstar, FFaf, etc.

I currently have the original 2 or 3 yo mesa 6l6 tubes and to be honest, they are PAP, there getting owned currently by a DSL with JJs, so I was wondering what type of tubes I should go for?

EL84s or 6l6s? Sovtek or JJs or?

Please help never done this before and the poor tubes I currently have are making me want to sell my Dual Rec and get a JCM800.

Also when re-valving do i change all the tubes or just the output tubes? as in the 6l6s?

 

[ANIMATED SUSPENSION]

What preamp tubes are in it ? The std Mesa tubes (pre and power) will still sound way better than a Marshall DSL !! It could just be that the tubes are worn out. The power tubes need replacing well before the preamp tubes do unless they go microphonic. The new STR440 6L6 is a great tube and an instant no hassle fit. I had a TSL with JJ's in years ago and it was ok but my Single Rec (with std tubes) blows it out the water !

 

[ANIMATED SUSPENSION]

Oh yeah I wouldn't recommend EL84's either....EL34's maybe !! :wink: If you want a slightly more British tone and aren't worried about cleans, try 'em !

 

[paulburns1984]

yea sorry el34s lol

well i do like my cleans too, would el34s have poor cleans?

The DSL has new JJs and dont know how but it does sound better, the guitar through it is Gibson LP Studio with 490R/498T pups, mine is a Schecter C-1+ with BKP Rebel Yell aftermarket pups so don't understand why the DSL sounds better, it just sounds crisper with better overall rock tone

 

[paulburns1984]

Well I've finished the gig, went alright but now i can do a full retube, so can anyone suggest tubes to go with and where to get them from in the UK?

Also, id the retube something i would be able to do myself??

I think I might favour el34s since Id like to be able to get closer to the slash tone.

Should I go for mesa tubes ho cos i heard better things about other brands, but have never tried so looking for advice here.

 

[paulburns1984]

oh and i dont know what the preamp tubes are, I got it second hand, ill have a look when I get a chance but would assume just 3year old stock ones that have probably died.

EDIT: I had a look, 4 stock mesa 6l6s, 2 stock 5u4gb, and then 5 things that look like big fat guitar metal slides, if that makes any sense, they certainly dont look like tubes or the pictures i see when a google 12ax7s

Is something wrong here?

 

[paulburns1984]

thanks for that itll help a lot, looks fairly simple.

Have you any reccomendations for tubes to put in, sadly i cant afford lots of different types to see what would suit me so need to rely on the advice of peeps much more experienced in this game so hope you can help.

Basically I'm not after loads of gain, the heaviest I would be after is Fightstar, the Used

The main tones i am after is Slash, GnR, My Chemical Romance, Foo Fighters

and this clip:
http://www.roccaforteamps.com/sounds/steve_stevens_18w_combo_heavy.mp3

I have these pickups in my guitar, btw the amp used in the clip is a roccaforte.

 

[trem]

Judging from the bands you listed, I think what you want is a Marshall, or something based on one. Whatever tubes you put in a Rec, it won't sound like a Marshall. Perhaps try a Mesa Stiletto, or a Splawn.

 

[212Mavguy]

Hello Paulburns1984,

+1 for Shredd's posts, start with the tube that is in the V1 position if you want to do the retube thang. Read and study, if you haven't yet, read your amp's manual from start to finish, carefully. It's available from the mesa site online if you don't have a hard copy.

The RCA 12ax7a Shredd mentioned is right on. Check out the post histories of those that seem to relate well to your needs/questions. It's illuminating to read the posts of those who are trying to help, Stokes is one, he's a tech, Timbre Wolf has wonderful information, and quite a few others as well have laid out some great info that is fascinating. The more you dig the more you will learn here. I know I have! Peace.

 

[R_ADKINS80]

My triple is currently kicking *** with TAD 6L6GC STR power tubes and all EH 12AX7 preamp tubes with 2 hi-gain tested in V1and V2 slots. It has killer tone. I only switch the power tubes out to Mesa STR447 EL34's every now and then for a different sound. Killer tubes dude.

 

[mesaboogie6L6]

EL34's might get you closer to the sound you are looking for.
You can ask Bob from eurotubes (JJ's) what tone you are looking for and he can get you close.

IMO, it would be best to change all the tubes, and feel free to experiment with different brands and styles (6L6, EL34), especially the 12AX7A's.

 

[paulburns1984]

with regards to the 'sounds like you want a marshall', I really want something marshall like that will kick its ***! If that makes any sense, I was hoping a dual rec would get me this, am I wrong thinking this?

 

[Gtr_Pkr]

My triple is currently kicking *** with TAD 6L6GC STR power tubes and all EH 12AX7 preamp tubes with 2 hi-gain tested in V1and V2 slots. It has killer tone. I only switch the power tubes out to Mesa STR447 EL34's every now and then for a different sound. Killer tubes dude.

+1 on the EH's bro!!! I've got them in my Triple also, and man what a sound! Very crisp and articulate. Get the cryogenecially treated tubes and it will sound even better.

Also, I've played my Triple and my JCM 800 1959 through their own marshall stacks, side by side, and that is an awesome display of sound.