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Mesa M-2000

#44
Originally posted by Mad Subwoofer
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You'll want to replace those tubes every 3-5 yearsor so....but really, a whole new set of something other than the Mesa labelled tubes is worth considering.
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Good tubes should last quite a while (like 10 to 30 years or more).

If they still sound good, they are good.

Going with other tubes for a tone improvement, yeah that's something to consider.

I believe (someone correct me if I'm wrong) that changing the driver tube will have the least effect on the sound.

P.S. Cool score. I love the sound of the M-2000.

Also, I think the peak power is 2000W (hence the model name). That means a huge amount of dynamic headroom (a bass player's best friend...well, that and a drummer that can keep time AND help you carry your stuff).
 
#45
Actually, changing the driver tube in this particular amp makes a HUGE difference, assuming you are talking about the 12ax7 right before the mosfets. It sets the final character for both preamp sections, and it plays a big role in the overall response of the amp. Everything goes through this tube. IMHO, this is probably the most important section in the whole amp.

Agreed with your overall assesment of tubes, and that the preamp 12ax7's should last a while, but the driver 12ax7 is pushed a lot harder than either of the preamp tubes. It really needs to be replaced every 3 to 5 years or so. I get about 3 years avg. out of mine.

And Munj...I think they went bye-bye when they closed the hotel!
 
#50
Originally posted by Dee Wurthy
Maybe at some point in the future i'll check out some tube manufacturers and see what different sounds I can get from different tubes. I have heard that the stock mesa tubes leave something to be desired.

Suggestions?
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Tesla JJ's are one of the best of those currently manufactured.

Ei Elite's are supposed to be very good.

The best NOS tubes are supposedly Telefunken, RCA, & Mallard. I don't know all the different models of the NOS stuff.

If you do some searches, you can probably find a lot of good info on these and more.
 
#51
Last time I checked Mesa was using the Sovtek 12AX7EH (Electro-Harmonix) tube as their stock bottle. I for one really liked this tube for it's decent growl and rich "mid-snarl"; broke up real nice for me. What sounds good for one preamp circuit won't always in another. (i.e.; softer tubes better for harsher preamps, SWR, etc?) After dropping a sizeable chunk o' coin on various (terrific) tubes, the one that sounded best for my Mesa circuit was the EH.
 
#52
Yep, the new one's have the EH's. I got one of the last one's the Mesa Hollywood store was blowing out. The new one sounds a little fatter than my original one, and it has has a lot more headroom before it starts grunting. A bit quieter, too. I had the Hollywood store tune-up my old M-2000, and they put the EH's in it. Sounds like a new amp!

FWIW, they really do a great job at the Hollywood store, and for a fair price. The guy that did the tune up on my amp is actually a bass player!! :eek: :bassist:
 

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