Re-tube Mark IV or wait?

anomaly

anomaly

Well-known member
I got some new Mesa labelled 6l6's in. A pair of str445's and str-448's (the 448's in the middle slots and 445's for the outer two). They cost me a damn fortune! I can't believe the price of these things now!?

The tubes currently in the amp are 10+ years old so I'd say they are due but I rarely play at band volumes these days. Mostly just low to moderate volumes, so I'm wondering how much life these old str-440's have in them?

Should I just put the new ones in to be on the safe side?
 
Yeah, you could throw them in and see if you notice an improvement. If the old ones are still working, keep them just in case. That's what I used to do. New tubes in, old tubes backup. But I haven't really changed tubes power tubes in any amps in a while haha.
 
I have a Mark IVa from the early 90s. Still using the original "coke bottle" tubes. I tried a new set of 6L6s just to hear. I preferred the older power tubes.
 
Thanks for all the replies. Think I'm just gonna leave the old ones in till I notice an issue, like one going microphonic or something.??. That has happened to me before.
 
Last edited:



I had a mRak IV "B" version. As with most Mesa's its cathode bias w/o a trimmer. I did try other tubes and one set started redplating.
Ive had good luck with Sovtek 6L6 WXT+'s
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top