Tube suggestions for Mesa BB750

georgestrings · #1 10-04-2010, 04:01 PM

I'm thinking of putting new tubes in my Big Block 750... It appears as if it still has the originals in it, and I'm going to be gigging this amp atleast once a week...

I'm wondering if it's worth the extra money to buy Mesa tubes - they're $17 each, as opposed to paying around $10 each for some JJs...

For those that don't know, the BB750 is a hybrid that has (4) 12AX7s in it - so, it's not alot of money to retube it...

- georgestrings

eyeballkid · #2 10-04-2010, 04:07 PM

i may get hammered on this...
but i BELIEVE Mesa tubes are just a rebranded version of the Russian Sovtek 12AX7 which can be had for alot less without the Mesa label.
between 9.95 and 14.95 with some in between depending on which variety you want.

georgestrings · #3 10-04-2010, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyeballkid

i may get hammered on this...
but i BELIEVE Mesa tubes are just a rebranded version of the Russian Sovtek 12AX7 which can be had for alot less without the Mesa label.
between 9.95 and 14.95 with some in between depending on which variety you want.

Well, they do say "Russian" on them, so you're probably right - which is mainly why I brought this up... I figured that the original "Mesa" tubes were only rebranded Sovteks that have been tested to fairly tight standards - and that similar JJ, or EH tubes would work atleast as well...

- georgestrings

RickenBoogie · #4 10-04-2010, 04:44 PM

They'll last almost forever. I wouldn't change them unless, A) they were broken, or B) if I were looking for more/less clean headroom.

georgestrings · #5 10-04-2010, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

They'll last almost forever. I wouldn't change them unless, A) they were broken, or B) if I were looking for more/less clean headroom.

Funny that you should mention that, but I actually wouldn't mind a little more clean headroom... Also, I'm not real big on taking a backup amp along, and this amp is going to see some fairly consistant gigging - so, putting $60 or so into fresh tubes isn't a bad expenditure *to me*...

- georgestrings

rodl2005 · #6 10-04-2010, 05:23 PM

I wanted a li'l more clean headroom in my Mesa Walabout- so I got the JJ long plate gold pin for the Pre, & the Tung-sol for the driver. This was going from info I got from others wanting the same thing.

I only got them yesterday-so haven't tried 'em yet. But MAY work in your amp too.

Check the Mesa WA mega-thread last few pages for more on this if U like.