Tubes for Mesa Buster?

rnilson · #1 09-13-2010, 05:04 PM

Hey I have a buster I bought with Groove Tubes in it. They are reaching the end of life and I am thinking will swap out all the tubes both pre and power. Mesa says only to use Mesa tubes as you can't bias the head and it is set up for Mesa tubes only.

In any case I am wondering what other Buster owners are running in their amps.

RickenBoogie · #2 09-13-2010, 05:22 PM

My amp tech put in a matched sextet of JJ's in mine, and it's sublime.

Caca de Kick · #3 09-13-2010, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnilson

Mesa says only to use Mesa tubes as you can't bias the head and it is set up for Mesa tubes only.

BS! Of course Mesa says that...they want to sell you tubes.

Matched set of anything is what you need.

rnilson · #4 09-13-2010, 06:19 PM

So biasing is not an issue? Just drop in whatever and go?

jeff62 · #5 09-13-2010, 06:37 PM

Correct. You don't need to bias preamp tubes.

rnilson · #6 09-13-2010, 06:42 PM

but I am replacing all the tubes..power also

jeff62 · #7 09-13-2010, 07:18 PM

Arrgh... for some reason I was reading "Walkabout" when you said Buster. Heh.

Mesa goes with the 'set bias' theory of building amps because they want to sell you their tubes. Any one of the reputable tube suppliers should be able to sell you power tubes that are matched to Mesa's relatively cold bias specs. Your best bet is to buy a good set of 6L6's and have your local amp tech install a bias mod in your amp. You can then use whatever tubes you want and set the bias properly, extending the life of the tubes.

I have a Buster too and can highly recommend the Svetlana Winged-C's in the power section. The JJ 12ax7's work famously in the preamp. Try the gold pin JJ in the input socket.

twinfallsbass · #8 09-13-2010, 07:20 PM

I don't believe you can just drop a set of matched tubes into a non-adjustable biased amp. What I did before I got adjustable biasing installed in my 400+ was to buy a set matched tubes for my amp from thetubestore.com
They have a database of different manufactures and what the amps require, they will set you up with what you need.

rnilson · #9 09-13-2010, 08:50 PM

Um.. so you by 3 matched pairs? I don't see matched sextets.

How about this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...%3DI%26otn%3D2

Legit or BS?

jeff62 · #10 09-13-2010, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinfallsbass

I don't believe you can just drop a set of matched tubes into a non-adjustable biased amp. What I did before I got adjustable biasing installed in my 400+ was to buy a set matched tubes for my amp from thetubestore.com
They have a database of different manufactures and what the amps require, they will set you up with what you need.

Gotta read my whole post. We're saying the same thing... contact a reputable supplier and they can set the OP up with tubes that match Mesa specs.

The OP will be better off having the bias mod installed for $75, then he can run the tubes biased a bit warmer.

Vanni · #11 09-14-2010, 12:40 AM

Mine was amazing with Sovtek 6L6 WXT+ http://thetubestore.com/sovtek6l6wxt.html and Sovtek 12AX7-LPS http://thetubestore.com/sovtek12ax7lps.html

I had my Buster modified by a technician to have the adjustable BIAS.

rnilson · #12 09-14-2010, 09:11 AM

I think I am going to give into the Mesa marketing tactic and just replace everything with mesa tubes. From what I understand they are good tubes and sound good in the amp.

Any reason not to go mesa tubes???

scotch · #13 09-14-2010, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnilson

I think I am going to give into the Mesa marketing tactic and just replace everything with mesa tubes. From what I understand they are good tubes and sound good in the amp.

Any reason not to go mesa tubes???

They can be noisy & are prone to microphonics. Keep in mind, though, that "Mesa" tubes are all rebranded tubes from other labels. Some are better than others.

raytsmith · #14 09-14-2010, 09:51 AM

I put all JJ's in mine from The Tube Store and it sounds great.

Just get 3 matching pairs, tell them in the comments box it is for a Mesa Buster.

Mine came with all 6 power tubes matched with a #14 on their numbering system. So if you ever break one, just order a #14 replacement. Which I had to do since one went bad after a couple hours, and they shipped me a free replacement within days.

rnilson · #15 09-14-2010, 09:56 AM

Ok, I just talked with the guys at the tube store JJs it is!

What pre amp tubes would go well with the JJs I have all groove tubes in it currently, from the preveious owner.

scotch · #16 09-14-2010, 10:09 AM

I've rolled through dozens of preamp tubes. Most have their merits, but I keep going back to Tung Sol reissues. Haven't found anything I like better!

raytsmith · #17 09-14-2010, 10:13 AM

I used JJ preamp tubes as well, for what its worth...haven't tried any others except the Mesa's that came in it.

Be carefull putting the preamp tubes in - the pins bend easily and on the back one you have to go by feel alone unless you want to pop the whole thing out of the head case so you can see where its going.

Wiggle them out gently and take note of which way the pins are oriented so you can get them turned close to the right direction when you put the new one back in.

BassmanPaul · #18 09-14-2010, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caca de Kick

BS! Of course Mesa says that...they want to sell you tubes.

Matched set of anything is what you need.

No it's not. A matched set is matched to each other and that may be far away from what the amp is expecting. You could be running ideally, way too hot, way too cold or anything in between. If you can get a set that is close to Mesa's specs you will be fine. Ideally a variable bias mod should be done. That way ANY matched set can be installed and set up properly. Better is a bias pot for each side and better than that is a pot for each tube. Then the issue of matching becomes immaterial.

Paul

rnilson · #19 09-14-2010, 10:59 AM

OK,
I ordered a set of JJ 6L6GC power tubes and Tung Sol 12AX7 pre tubes from the tube depot. They said they would make sure they were correct for the Mesa bias.

beans-on-toast · #20 09-14-2010, 11:41 AM

+1 to what Paul said.

Once upon a time, Mesa graded their power tube matched sets and distinguished them with colored dot stickers that were applied to the tube base. If your amp had a green dot on the tubes, then if you ordered a set of green dot matched tubes, the bias would be within the spec for your particular amp. If you stayed with the same dot color, you wouldn't need to have the amp rebiased to maintain optimal performance. Ordering a set with a different colored dot would result in an amp that was biased hotter or cooler, depending on the breakup performance that you desired.

I assume that if you have your old Mesa tubes and see a color dot, then you can still order a set from them with the same grade.

I don't see any mention of the color dot system on their web site. Perhaps they've changed how they grade their tubes.

The same is true for any matched set of tubes that you buy from any seller. There are often labels on the matched sets indicating a grade or maybe a plate current or transconductance. The idea is if you bias you amp to a certain grade, then if you buy a replacement tube set that is in the same grade you will not have to re-bias your amp. This is what Mesa does and everyone else who sells matched sets.