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[newholland]

I am still using a virtual Mesa geq in the loop most of the time

GET OUT FROM BEHIND THAT COUCH!

aw hell, whatever works best! i tried that for a while myself and didnt get along with it- butni should give it a try again. its been a while and definitely figured the amp a lot since then.

 

[spawnofthesith]

GET OUT FROM BEHIND THAT COUCH!

aw hell, whatever works best! i tried that for a while myself and didnt get along with it- butni should give it a try again. its been a while and definitely figured the amp a lot since then.

I play clean probably 75% of the time with my band and geq not really necessary for that but when I do go into high gain chuggy swctions occasionally I do find the V shape scoop necessary for -that- sound lol

FWIW I’ve never cared for your typical MXR band eqs with any amps, Mesa or otherwise, the the GEQ model I’m using in the stomp is the specific Mesa mark frequencies

 

[spawnofthesith]

Circling back to Mk V issue…. It’s exponentially escalating. Now it often takes 3-4 channel switches back and forth to get the clean channel back when it happens, and last night it even dropped out while just on the clean channel and had to switch out and back in again tk get it back


Hoping I can find some time this week to drop it off, life is fairly hectic right now, work is crazy and have gig Thursday… and then next week I’m in Oklahoma for work all week

Hoping to have it dropped off before leaving town tho

 

[EOengineer]

Circling back to Mk V issue…. It’s exponentially escalating. Now it often takes 3-4 channel switches back and forth to get the clean channel back when it happens, and last night it even dropped out while just on the clean channel and had to switch out and back in again tk get it back


Hoping I can find some time this week to drop it off, life is fairly hectic right now, work is crazy and have gig Thursday… and then next week I’m in Oklahoma for work all week

Hoping to have it dropped off before leaving town tho

Excited for an upcoming post about how awesome it is to have this amp back in order. If I had a Mark V I’d be pretty bummed to not be able to use it.

Come to think of it I’ve got a 2:90 power amp that needs service so maybe I should follow my own advice here.

 

[laxu]

Repairs and powertube costs frighten me about the Mark V.

I tried to see if I could find another pair of SED =C= 6L6GCs and noped out when I calculated it would cost me around 300 €. Which sucks because the amp sounds markedly better with the =C=s I'm using in the inner tube sockets that I had in my stash.

You might have seen that I picked up the more metal-oriented BluGuitar Amp 1 Iridium. This is part of the reason. In a few weeks I'll put it head to head against the Mesa and see where that gets me. The wide ranging 3-knob shared EQ makes changing settings so easy, even if it won't allow perfect settings for each channel.

I appreciate all the Mark V can do, on the other hand having to spin a lot of knobs and the graphic EQ to make it do something different is an easy way to end up with bad tones, or just mediocre ones. I feel like I need to start a photo catalog of great settings to refer to so I can get back to good ones.

 

[Orvillain]

Yeah Winged C's are defo pricey. TBH, you can't revalve an amp these days for under £100; not with brand new tubes. It used to be possible 10 years ago.

It sucks. Fuck nature and the climate, GIBBME TOOOBS!!!!

 

[MirrorProfiles]

Repairs and powertube costs frighten me about the Mark V.

I tried to see if I could find another pair of SED =C= 6L6GCs and noped out when I calculated it would cost me around 300 €. Which sucks because the amp sounds markedly better with the =C=s I'm using in the inner tube sockets that I had in my stash.

You might have seen that I picked up the more metal-oriented BluGuitar Amp 1 Iridium. This is part of the reason. In a few weeks I'll put it head to head against the Mesa and see where that gets me. The wide ranging 3-knob shared EQ makes changing settings so easy, even if it won't allow perfect settings for each channel.

I appreciate all the Mark V can do, on the other hand having to spin a lot of knobs and the graphic EQ to make it do something different is an easy way to end up with bad tones, or just mediocre ones. I feel like I need to start a photo catalog of great settings to refer to so I can get back to good ones.

Without re-biasing the amp, or using valves with the exact same specs and age, how can you be sure its the brand of tubes that makes the amp sound better?

They're definitely great valves, but I wouldn't be certain its not something else at play that's making them sound better here (just in case you drop €300 on some new ones and they don't turn out as good).

 

[EOengineer]

I had the SEDs in my Mark III for a couple years until one failed and fried some other stuff. They were FAR from the holy grail experience many seem to report. Not sure why my two experiences with those tubes have been such outliers.

Just grab a quartet of the JJ 6L6GC from a retailer who offers preselected Mesa-compatible batches. I know we love to hate JJ but IMO their 6L6GC is both awesome and kind of slept on. Probably one of the best kept secrets in the 6L6 space. You can usually find a matched quartet for ~$100 US.

 

[laxu]

Without re-biasing the amp, or using valves with the exact same specs and age, how can you be sure its the brand of tubes that makes the amp sound better?

Well it's a Mesa so there's no way to rebias it without changing resistors.

The TAD 6L6GC tubes that were in it when I bought it sounded way too strident for my tastes, but the SED in inner sockets + TAD outer sockets works fine. Since the guy I bought it from didn't know much about its history, I assume the owner before that got it fully retubed with TAD because all the tubes in it were TAD. But who knows if they just slapped those tubes in or if a tech made sure the TAD powertubes were suitable.

Buying some bias probes is on my list because that's the only way to figure it out.

I've just made sure to check the tubes aren't red plating. So far I haven't had issues even when the amp is turned to terrifying volumes.

They're definitely great valves, but I wouldn't be certain its not something else at play that's making them sound better here (just in case you drop €300 on some new ones and they don't turn out as good).

I would definitely prefer something much cheaper.

I was honestly surprised they made that big of a difference.

 

[MirrorProfiles]

Well it's a Mesa so there's no way to rebias it without changing resistors.

The TAD 6L6GC tubes that were in it when I bought it sounded way too strident for my tastes, but the SED in inner sockets + TAD outer sockets works fine. Since the guy I bought it from didn't know much about its history, I assume the owner before that got it fully retubed with TAD because all the tubes in it were TAD. But who knows if they just slapped those tubes in or if a tech made sure the TAD powertubes were suitable.

Buying some bias probes is on my list because that's the only way to figure it out.

I've just made sure to check the tubes aren't red plating. So far I haven't had issues even when the amp is turned to terrifying volumes.


I would definitely prefer something much cheaper.

I was honestly surprised they made that big of a difference.

I think without ruling out the fact that the different valves would have a different bias, it’s very hard to pinpoint. I guess it wouldn’t be too difficult to measure what bias the winged C’s pull and then use that as some kind of reference point.

IMO it’s way easier to stick with Mesa labelled valves that are already selected to play nicely with the amp. They at least offer a few different manufacturers so you can find what you like there, and then there’s some level of consistency and repeatability (rather than having to source out of rare expensive production valves in any spec). I’ve had Winged C’s in my 5150 (same deal where it’s a fixed resistor rather than a trim pot) and they’re amazing, but I honestly just feel like it’s too much of a crapshoot to rely on or do regularly. I’ve had killer results with all kinds of other valves and I’d just go with something more readily available these days.

 

[laxu]

I think without ruling out the fact that the different valves would have a different bias, it’s very hard to pinpoint. I guess it wouldn’t be too difficult to measure what bias the winged C’s pull and then use that as some kind of reference point.

IMO it’s way easier to stick with Mesa labelled valves that are already selected to play nicely with the amp. They at least offer a few different manufacturers so you can find what you like there, and then there’s some level of consistency and repeatability (rather than having to source out of rare expensive production valves in any spec). I’ve had Winged C’s in my 5150 (same deal where it’s a fixed resistor rather than a trim pot) and they’re amazing, but I honestly just feel like it’s too much of a crapshoot to rely on or do regularly. I’ve had killer results with all kinds of other valves and I’d just go with something more readily available these days.

Since I live in Finland, the local Mesa dealer seems to have no stock for Mesa labeled tubes at least based on their website. Thomann has none either. TAD would sell a set if you can provide the right color code on the stock Mesa tubes. I don't have that, but my understanding is that it's basically a grading from cold to hot.

I would have to haul the Mesa combo to my local vendor Uraltone and they could probably help me find the right tubes from their selection.

It's of course not an immediate concern or anything since it sounds great with what's in it. I really do hope that some other cheaper tube set that is biased spot on for the amp would do as good a job.

 

[RGB]

I had the SEDs in my Mark III for a couple years until one failed and fried some other stuff. They were FAR from the holy grail experience many seem to report. Not sure why my two experiences with those tubes have been such outliers.

Just grab a quartet of the JJ 6L6GC from a retailer who offers preselected Mesa-compatible batches. I know we love to hate JJ but IMO their 6L6GC is both awesome and kind of slept on. Probably one of the best kept secrets in the 6L6 space. You can usually find a matched quartet for ~$100 US.

I went to Bob at Eurotubes for my last re-tube on my IIB. He asked what type of music and tones I was looking for and sent me a matched quad that would suit my taste in music. Gotta say he nailed it...I think they sound great. Preamp tubes are a mix of NOS.

Really happy with the JJs right now.

 

[EOengineer]

I went to Bob at Eurotubes for my last re-tube on my IIB. He asked what type of music and tones I was looking for and sent me a matched quad that would suit my taste in music. Gotta say he nailed it...I think they sound great. Preamp tubes are a mix of NOS.

Really happy with the JJs right now.

I also use Eurotubes and have nothing but positive things to say about the products and service.

 

[la szum]

Not the loop issue… I randomly will completely lose sound when switching channels sometimes. The amp itself shows the correct channel but there’s no sound. It can be remedied by switching back and forth again. It’s very intermittent and random tho. Not a problem I’ve been able to find others having either, until very recently. A dude on the boogie board is recently having similar issues

I assume it’s gotta be a relay on its last leg

Those Mesa Switching Relays are notorious for all the wrong reasons.

Had to have a Mark III serviced that had that same issue. And it haunted
a few versions of the Rectifiers, if I recall correctly.

 

[la szum]

Yeah Winged C's are defo pricey. TBH, you can't revalve an amp these days for under £100; not with brand new tubes. It used to be possible 10 years ago.

It sucks. Fuck nature and the climate, GIBBME TOOOBS!!!!

I've acquired a nice stash over the years. I kind of never buy (or even look at!)
new production tubes. I know if I am patient and always checking I can find
some killer NOS tubes, or gently used tubes on the used market for cheap.

Most retailers won't take back new production tubes anyways as returns, so
the risk on used or NOS is minimal, in my world.

 

[la szum]

Well it's a Mesa so there's no way to rebias it without changing resistors.

The TAD 6L6GC tubes that were in it when I bought it sounded way too strident for my tastes, but the SED in inner sockets + TAD outer sockets works fine. Since the guy I bought it from didn't know much about its history, I assume the owner before that got it fully retubed with TAD because all the tubes in it were TAD. But who knows if they just slapped those tubes in or if a tech made sure the TAD powertubes were suitable.

Buying some bias probes is on my list because that's the only way to figure it out.

I've just made sure to check the tubes aren't red plating. So far I haven't had issues even when the amp is turned to terrifying volumes.


I would definitely prefer something much cheaper.

I was honestly surprised they made that big of a difference.

Mesa biases their amps super cold, so the risks of missing the mark () are minimal, in my experience.

 

[laxu]

Mesa biases their amps super cold, so the risks of missing the mark () are minimal, in my experience.

Interestingly based on what I found on Boogieforum, it might not be the case for the Mark V. It seems to be biased a lot more normally.

If you scroll down this thread you can find someone's notes on the amp with different tubes.

Mark V 90 power tube voltages and bias

Inspired by bandit's in-depth posts about the mark V, I've decided to try and keep my combo. I say try to because space in my apartment, finances, etc. I could use the money, and they sell a lot for $1800+ used, but I had mine cross posted and it didn't sell. Lol. Also under inspiration about...

boogieforum.com

 

[la szum]

Oh fuck that tooler! I ain't running no 6V6s in my Mark V.

 

[laxu]

Oh fuck that tooler! I ain't running no 6V6s in my Mark V.

Don't knock it! I loved the tones I got out of the Bogner Goldfinger 45 SL with 4x 6V6.

But realistically it's not like Mark V needs power reduction from 6V6 tubes.

 

[spawnofthesith]

Running my set right now through the V but I’m using edge mode as a pseudo clean channel and having some questionable thoughts about calling an audible at this thursdays gig lol


Re: tubes

All my mesas have Mesa tubes right now, but I know most tube dealers will cater to you telling them “hey it’s a Mesa” and spec tubes as such. But again mesas usually biased so cold it’s really a non issue


In my first Mark V years ago I ran it with =C= EL34s and it was glorious. But I’m perfectly happy with the Mesa 6L6s in my current V, and those SEDs ain’t cheap or available much anymore haha