who likes current production Mesa power tubes

[james1974]

I have gone back to using older mesa str power tubes that i had originally. After using sed's ruby's jj's
and i have to say if the current 6l6's are like the 430's and before id be happy to pay the extra and stick with them.

 

[screamingdaisy]

The 430s are Sovtek. A lot of people used to hack on them because they weren't SEDs, but I never had any issues with them.

I did eventually switch to STR-454s (Svetlana/SED) and those were pretty sweet. I wish they still sold them.

The current ones are STR-440s and are Chinese. I also have no problems with the sound of these.

 

[james1974]

cheers for that screamindaisy.. how do these 440 compare tonewise with the str420s

 

[screamingdaisy]

cheers for that screamindaisy.. how do these 440 compare tonewise with the str420s

It's been too long since I've heard them and I can't recall that level of detail.

 

[igfraso]

If it helps... The Mark IV has been designed around the STR420 and Mike Bendinelli suggests to use them on your Mark IV if you have them.
They are probably sweeter but with shorter life time than the STR440.

 

[boogieman60]

I am happy with the stock Mesa tubes. I think that a company that prides itself on it's products like Mesa does has done it's homework on tube selection. I have been using my V for over a year now and did 1 swap out of power tubes. I have had 1 tube fail...(lightning in a bottle) and 1 tube start humming...that's it. not bad for over 80 or so gigs last year...and the sound is great.

 

[Vogelsong]

I haven't tried any other but the Mesa, I may on the next tube swap Im not sure. I have just recently gotten very close to the tone I've been searching for. If I can nail it down before the swap I'll stick with Mesa. If I don't then maybe a different tube is what I need.

 

[swbo101]

I have used Mesa STR- 440 and 420 for 6L6's and have been very happy with the sound and reliability. I have also used STR-450 (EL-34's) and loved them. Bought them a few years back when they were $70 a pair. Should have gotten more of them.

 

[konstantine RK]

I dont mind Mesa's tubes at all.. STR 440 and the EL34... both work fine for me and no worries about the bias!

 

[fluff191]

I spent alot of money and time searching the best sounding power tube for my Rectifier and after 2 years of trying ALOT of tubes, I settled on the EH 6L6, which for all intents and purposes is a slightly modified Sovtek WXT+, which is what Mesa uses.

I also learned that if a tube costs alot of money, that doesn't mean it will sound that much better either.

Go figure. :lol:

 

[Jackie]

I like the X-years old STR-420s in my 2:90 for now, but I'll buy an octet of =C='s (I always write =C= since I don't know if that's Svetlana or SED) when I have the dough. It's not the tone, it's the sheer reliability I'm worried about, I don't know anything about how old or (ab)used they are...

 

[james1974]

awesome replies. thanks everyone..

 

[J.J]

I tried a few types in my EL84 Express and went back to the Mesa tubes. I now have an Electra Dyne with STR440 tubes and they sound great to me. When the time comes I will probably get some SED winged C tubes as I want to get the most vintage sound I can. If there is not much difference I'll go straight back to Mesa tubes.