Fret-Shredder
Well-known member
Have any of you switched to EL34 power tubes? I would like to hear your thoughts on how they compare to 6L6. Thanks
Question for Mesa Mark V owners.
- Thread starter Fret-Shredder
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Metlupass2
Well-known member
How loudly do you play your amp?
Probably 85% (myself included) of people on here don't play loud enough for power tube distortion so it wouldn't make a difference imo
Probably 85% (myself included) of people on here don't play loud enough for power tube distortion so it wouldn't make a difference imo
Fret-Shredder
Well-known member
Metlupass2":37up80u8 said:
Just living room volume. Not loud gig volume.
Metlupass2
Well-known member
Fret-Shredder":3dkjaa1u said:
Your tubes aren't even getting hot and breaking up. All you're hearing is pre amp distortion. Don't waste the money.
Fret-Shredder
Well-known member
GJgo":2yu11yw3 said:
I'm interested in putting in the EL34s in variac mode and switching to 45 on the power mode to see how that feels and sounds.
Fret-Shredder
Well-known member
GJgo":yde38c84 said:
Excellent. Thanks.
Markedman
Well-known member
So, what? Wait a minute, some of you cannot recognize the sound of EL34 v. 6L6????????? New thread on the horizon IMO! I find the responses here
Come on now. Seriously folks, I'm pretty sure I could hear the difference when I was 13 years old and I'm damn sure I can hear the differences in 6L6 brands and special letters after the 6L6 part, today, right now as I write this. I hate certain tubes, power tubes and pre-amp, and can easily hear the difference like night and day. The difference between EL34 and 6L6 tubes is downright stark in Boogie amps especially.
Come on now. Seriously folks, I'm pretty sure I could hear the difference when I was 13 years old and I'm damn sure I can hear the differences in 6L6 brands and special letters after the 6L6 part, today, right now as I write this. I hate certain tubes, power tubes and pre-amp, and can easily hear the difference like night and day. The difference between EL34 and 6L6 tubes is downright stark in Boogie amps especially.
Fret-Shredder
Well-known member
I have 2 pairs of Mesa EL34s coming Monday. Thanks guys for the comments.
Metlupass2
Well-known member
Markedman":37np4edn said:
At bedroom volumes you're full of poop. Turned up loud is a different story.
skoora
Well-known member
You’ll lose a little “size” in the cleans but all the dirty tones, in my opinion improve with 34’s. I also use an attenuator at home to crank the amp because it sounds incredible when turned up. But I could still hear a difference without the attenuator and moderate volumes. Experiment with the channel volumes and see how much more dirt and balls you get on CH 1 and 2 by getting the Ch masters up over 1 O’Clock. Plus I like running it through greenbacks. Every amp circuit is different. I noticed all the people saying it wouldn’t make a difference without volume don’t actually own the amp and have heard the difference.
Fret-Shredder
Well-known member
skoora":jdb9spao said:
Got my Mesa EL34s today. Cab im using is my Friedman 4X12 with Greenbacks on top and Vintage 30s on the bottom. Head 8 ohm into the 16 ohm cab. I first played the 6L6s for about 30 minutes low volume. You could have a conversation and not be drowned out by the amp. Mark IV voicing triode mode. Then switched to EL34s Mark IV voicing variac mode engaged like the manual says and also in triode mode. First 90 watt then 45 watt and I honestly hear a difference in tone and can feel it in my strings too. Definitely has that sag feel and more sizzle like my boosted JCM800 2204. Thanks for all the input guys. I'm really loving the versatility this amp offers.
Metlupass2
Well-known member
Fordman65":13c4k8hv said:
I think the same goes with all big watt tube amplifiers. Get a good quality AC15 (or Marshall 18 watt variant) for power tube distortion at lower volume. Power tube distortion is cool, but, blending pre/power distoriton is where it's at for me.Metlupass2":15ufzacg said:
I love the "tweed" mode on the Mark V. Enjoy!
skoora
Well-known member
Metlupass2":3sy7ymsa said:Fordman65":3sy7ymsa said:
It’s music, my ears are all that matter. Once again you can’t speak for an amp that you haven’t tried in this regard. Plus no-one has mentioned power tube distortion. Only an auditory difference in the response of the amp.