allright 1001!
and thanks for the tube advice. I'll take another look at the NOS tubes with those names
and thanks for the tube advice. I'll take another look at the NOS tubes with those names
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Mesa Boogie Walkabout Part 6
- Thread starter BassyBill
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Doug at Doug's Tubes was very cool and helpful, his prices were fair, shipping was free (probably because of my order total--YMMV) and I got my tubes in two days.
- Feb 3, 2005
- 7,331
- 10,197
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Bergantino Audio Systems and GHS Strings
Okay, so I rolled tubes for a couple of hours tonight. Here's a picture of my standard settings (actually, I usually have the gain at 1:00, but I kicked it up a hair before I took this pic, as I explain below); I was playing my Jaguar bass with Fender Custom Shop pickups running in series and the tone knob turned all the way up.
The combo of the stock Mesa "Russian 2" tube in the preamp spot and the JJ ECC 83 S in the driver spot--what I've had in the amp since I bought it--sounded brighter and punchier in comparison to the combo of the ANOS Telefunken 12AX7/ECC83 in the preamp slot and the JAN Philips 12AX7WA in the driver spot, which sounded a bit warmer and bottom-heavy (I think the low mids were more present, but I'm far from an audiophile). With this combination, I actually dialed the treble up a hair (unlike the gain, I put it back to where I normally have it before I took the pic), and I could turn the gain up higher before it started to overdrive.
Ultimately, though, to be perfectly honest, I'm not sure I could tell that much of a difference; I'm going to have to leave the pair in there for a while before I make up my mind about them. When I tried the Tele with the JJ, I didn't notice much of a difference at all, which makes me wonder if the driver tube doesn't have a greater effect than the preamp tube. I suppose for ***** and giggles I could try all the other possible combinations of the four tubes in the two spots, but I'll have to save that for another night; my ears are kinda fried and it's way past my bedtime. However, again, I am far from an audiophile, so I could be totally off base here--this is simply what my 42-year-old ears that have seen their fair share of abuse are telling me. Right now, I'm feeling like that $137 I spent could have been put to better use, but hopefully after running these tubes for a while I'll feel differently.
The combo of the stock Mesa "Russian 2" tube in the preamp spot and the JJ ECC 83 S in the driver spot--what I've had in the amp since I bought it--sounded brighter and punchier in comparison to the combo of the ANOS Telefunken 12AX7/ECC83 in the preamp slot and the JAN Philips 12AX7WA in the driver spot, which sounded a bit warmer and bottom-heavy (I think the low mids were more present, but I'm far from an audiophile). With this combination, I actually dialed the treble up a hair (unlike the gain, I put it back to where I normally have it before I took the pic), and I could turn the gain up higher before it started to overdrive.
Ultimately, though, to be perfectly honest, I'm not sure I could tell that much of a difference; I'm going to have to leave the pair in there for a while before I make up my mind about them. When I tried the Tele with the JJ, I didn't notice much of a difference at all, which makes me wonder if the driver tube doesn't have a greater effect than the preamp tube. I suppose for ***** and giggles I could try all the other possible combinations of the four tubes in the two spots, but I'll have to save that for another night; my ears are kinda fried and it's way past my bedtime. However, again, I am far from an audiophile, so I could be totally off base here--this is simply what my 42-year-old ears that have seen their fair share of abuse are telling me. Right now, I'm feeling like that $137 I spent could have been put to better use, but hopefully after running these tubes for a while I'll feel differently.
FWIW, I find a larger difference in tone in the preamp tube than the driver.
For me, a tele in the preamp is defineately noticeable in an A/B comparison but not earth shattering since the amp sounds so good to begin with.
For me, a tele in the preamp is defineately noticeable in an A/B comparison but not earth shattering since the amp sounds so good to begin with.
The differences between tubes are subtle, for sure, but they are there nonetheless. I found it fun to spend a while with the top down, sampling different ones. For me it's simply an esoteric entertainment, and I definitely do have my preferences (previously posted).
Chef
In Memoriam
I don't think you'll feel the driver making much difference until you turn the master way up...
YMMV, etc.
YMMV, etc.
+1. It also takes a lot more time to specifically check out the driver tube differences because 1)they're more subtle than the pre tube differences and 2)you need to 1st settle on a pre-tube and gain level to independently assess the driver tube.......then if you change the gain all bets are off and you have to start again. IME the whole exhaustive affair lasts about 2 Manhattans and a good cigar
.I took the subjective approach of deciding on a new Sovtek for the pre position (latest to break up and most punchy mids), left the gain @ about 1:30 and volume at 11 o'clock while changing driver tubes, and found an old Amperex to be my favorite driver tube (thickest, meatiest tone to my ear).
FWIW I also changed the driver tube in my M9 to an Amperex. The M9 is way less sensitive to different tubes, but if you like to run your gain high on that head (I leave mine around 2 o'clock) there are differences to my ear.
Another reason not to spend big money on NOS tubes in that you may not hear a great enough difference to justify the cost.
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,942
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
+1 I will also add that at least in my experience, the tonal differences were more easily observed if you spent some time trying each tube at a variety of Gain/Master settings. One of the things I really like about the Telefunken is the way that the tone stays solid and "intact" even as you crank the Gain and dial in a good bit of grit/grind/drive.
Still a very desireable product that will sell at a reasonably good price since you can currently verify low hours.
I can not hear any difference between NOS and used assuming they both test well.
Also like the idea that if it went 30+ years it is solid. Have had new tubes (be they new or old stock) that failed just because they were defective.
Power tubes are an all together different subject.
I can not hear any difference between NOS and used assuming they both test well.
Also like the idea that if it went 30+ years it is solid. Have had new tubes (be they new or old stock) that failed just because they were defective.
Power tubes are an all together different subject.
These both tested as new, per Doug at Doug's tubes. I'm going to play them in my amp at rehearsal tomorrow and see what I think; if I'm still not impressed, since I can't return them, maybe I'll put them in the classifieds and see if anyone bites; better to lose a few bucks and chalk it up to a lessen learned than to lose all of them!
Just picked up this used WA Scout 12 
from the local Long & McQuade -- at a blowout price (which I bargained down further 
). It was pretty dirty, but cleaned up well. I've wanted one of these for a dog's age.
Sorry for the crappy iPhone pic, but to stave off the "no pics, no amp" comments:
from the local Long & McQuade -- at a blowout price (which I bargained down further ). It was pretty dirty, but cleaned up well. I've wanted one of these for a dog's age.Sorry for the crappy iPhone pic, but to stave off the "no pics, no amp" comments:
Attachments
Just picked up this used WA Scout 12
Sorry for the crappy iPhone pic, but to stave off the "no pics, no amp" comments:
Sounds like a rescue Dawg for sure
StraightSix said:
Yep, and I'm gonna get bit tonight - heading out the door now with my WA for a gig!
Just picked up this used WA Scout 12
Sorry for the crappy iPhone pic, but to stave off the "no pics, no amp" comments:
great stuff. glad that you were able to grab a WA. great amp for sure.
BTW, no matter what the seller offered, your amp should have the Mesa supported 5 year warranty (whatever is left of it from the original date of sale). Mesa is very good about honoring the warranty.
enjoy!
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