Mesa Single Rectifier: EL34 vs. 6L6 - Your choice & brand?

  • Thread starter Thread starter napalmdeath
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napalmdeath

napalmdeath

Well-known member
Just curious to what guys prefer, and their individual results. I'm running JJ KT77's in mine, which sounds pretty good, but looking for something a little tighter in the low end.
 
When I had a series II single, I liked TAD 6L6's...the short ones. They sounded great. I didn't like EL34's in it at all...and I am an EL34 guy for the most part. Also, I modded the loop to series which was great as well.
 
i have mesa EL34s in mine. i like them over the 6L6s, they add more upper midrange and cut some lows.
 
I have a dual recto, but felt like I might be able to chime in. I've always sworn up and down that I was a 6L6 guy. However, when I traded my Switchblade TSC off (which has a combo of 6L6 and EL34) for my recto, I noticed he had EL34's in it. Haven't changed them out. I think I might actually prefer them over the 6L6 Mesa's that I have heard. Which is absolute blasphemy according to Mesa gear heads, I know. Just something about those tubes, with the Vintage hi-gain and a Maxon OD808 out front, sounds so right. And the leads sound incredible.
 
6L6s.

I've switched back and forth a few times and I prefer 6L6s. Bigger, bolder and more dynamic.

EL34s do have more upper mids and compression, which you'd think would make them better for soloing, but I find they recess single notes while 6L6s make them pop more.
 
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