Changing preamp tubes on a Mark V

[ACShreds]

So im thinking about getting a new set of preamp tubes for my mark V but i was wanting to know how hard it is to change preamp tubes because i need to know if i need to factor in tech cost or not before i buy them. Ive never changed tubes on an amp before but i figure how hard could it be. I wasn't sure if all you have to do it just pull the old ones out and plug the new ones in or if you have to bias the amp and what not in which case i'd have to just take it to my tech as i have no idea how to do any of that.

 

[roadifier]

Preamp tubes don't have to be biased, just remove the old ones and put in new ones. Power tubes are a whole different story though

 

[ACShreds]

Preamp tubes don't have to be biased, just remove the old ones and put in new ones. Power tubes are a whole different story though

Cool good to know. I talked to doug at Dougs tubes and he told me for what i was after to just stick with the power tubes i already had but recommended me a new set of preamp tubes which im down to install myself if all i have to do is plug in and play. even i cant screw that up

 

[roadifier]

Preamp tubes don't have to be biased, just remove the old ones and put in new ones. Power tubes are a whole different story though

Cool good to know. I talked to doug at Dougs tubes and he told me for what i was after to just stick with the power tubes i already had but recommended me a new set of preamp tubes which im down to install myself if all i have to do is plug in and play. even i cant screw that up

what preamp tubes did he recommend? Inmay be Getting a V soon and I want to know about them more. Do you play metal on your V?

 

[ACShreds]

Preamp tubes don't have to be biased, just remove the old ones and put in new ones. Power tubes are a whole different story though

Cool good to know. I talked to doug at Dougs tubes and he told me for what i was after to just stick with the power tubes i already had but recommended me a new set of preamp tubes which im down to install myself if all i have to do is plug in and play. even i cant screw that up

what preamp tubes did he recommend? Inmay be Getting a V soon and I want to know about them more. Do you play metal on your V?

I play mostly 80's style hair metal stuff but i like to have as high gain and saturation and compression as possible. I like to go all out kinda like mark day, and how he always seems to have too much gain for some peoples taste haha. I told him that i liked the warmth and the voicing of the amp however it was a little too dry for my tastes as i like to have a lot of saturation in my tone. Here's what doug sent me as a reply to my email.

"We like the Mesa STR-440's, so if they are still good then hang on to those. When you're ready to replace them the RUBY 6L6GCMSTR's are the same tubes. Mesa uses JJ ECC83's so that may be the issue. Go with our 7 x 12AX7 mesa tone kit for the MKV first, I think that will solve your problems. The kit comes with a Tung-Sol for v1, a high gain JJ for V2, Penta Labs in V3 thru V6 and Sovtek LP for the phase inverter."

 

[311boogieman]

Do you have to pull the chassis out to swap preamp tubes? How do you get those suckers?

 

[ACShreds]

Do you have to pull the chassis out to swap preamp tubes? How do you get those suckers?

Yeah you have to unscrew the chassis from the headshell. only four screws on the top of the head and it comes right out, i've seen my tech do it before, actually pretty simple.

 

[311boogieman]

Cool. That's what I figured. Doug is a good guy and his rec seems pretty spot on. I've purchased Tung Sol, Penta, JJ, JAN Phillips, etc from him. I don't care for Tung Sols as they are overly bright for me but I've been happy with the rest. His Tung Sol - JJ - Penta - Sovtek rec is pretty common for him for lots of amps. Nothing wrong with that, just pointing it out.