litesnsirens
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- Joined
- Nov 27, 2009
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... because whoever you are.... I HAVE TO THANK YOU!!!!!
Let me start by saying I already loved this amp with the stock 6L6's, easily my favourite amp of all the amps I have owned over the years. I loved the sound of my old Hi-Watt back in the 80's but it was a single channel amp and nowhere near as versatile, so the Mark V wins hands down, it's got tone and versatility. Now, I could have easily stayed with the 6L6's and been a happy customer for life, but after reading all the posts on here about guys loving the sound of 34's I figured I would invest a few bucks and give them a try. There is no turning back now. And here is the kicker, I just bought Mesa EL 34's, stopped into my local music store and that's what they had in stock, didn't even go out of my way to get something sexy and exotic.
These tubes rock in this amp. I think if I was looking for a heavier bottom end, you know the detuned, 7 string heavier kind of tone, I would stick with the 6L6's but I play more classic rock. I find the tone easier to dial in, the lows and the high end are a little more tamed down and musical. Mark I mode really comes to life with these tubes. In some of the Boogie literature I have read they talk about that kind of sax tone that you get via the gain stage structure they use, and I think that it's a really good description, but I found it a little harsh and wanted something a little more creamy. The EL34's deliver!! I really think the mesa boogie gain structure tamed by the 34's is a perfect combination.
I was sort of skeptical because I was thinking that I would probably have to turn it on and play it with the 6L's then change the tubes and play the 34's to really notice any kind of difference since the difference would be at the power tube stage. I was even considering recording such a session so I could really listen side by side. But I didn't have time, I had a rehearsal that night and really only enough time to put the new tubes in and get to rehearsal. I was able to hear the difference, I was able to feel the difference, it was just a different experience. That was a week ago yesterday, then on Friday I had a gig with my other band, and fell even deeper in love with these tubes, and then another rehearsal last night. I mean when you are just blown away by your guitar tone all night, it tells the story. I have made a few adjustments, on the fly. I am still in FAT mode on channel one... brought up the mid's a bit and got a nice big fat clean tone. I have switched from crunch to Mark I in channel 2... and love it, I have always like to fool around with this mode but never found it a useful tone for me live, and went from II C+ to Mark IV mode on channel 3... just minor adjustments to my previous tone settings and I am now in tone heaven. Everything sits in the mix so nicely.
OK I think I have raved on long enough about this... just wanted to share my experience, for those who are on the edge and thinking about giving it a try... it comes down to the type of music you like to play really .. the 6L's are the thing if you want that big heavy tone (and I'm not talking about the saturation levels, there's plenty of range there whichever tubes you use) ... if you are more of a classic rock player ... I think 34's are the answer.
Let me start by saying I already loved this amp with the stock 6L6's, easily my favourite amp of all the amps I have owned over the years. I loved the sound of my old Hi-Watt back in the 80's but it was a single channel amp and nowhere near as versatile, so the Mark V wins hands down, it's got tone and versatility. Now, I could have easily stayed with the 6L6's and been a happy customer for life, but after reading all the posts on here about guys loving the sound of 34's I figured I would invest a few bucks and give them a try. There is no turning back now. And here is the kicker, I just bought Mesa EL 34's, stopped into my local music store and that's what they had in stock, didn't even go out of my way to get something sexy and exotic.
These tubes rock in this amp. I think if I was looking for a heavier bottom end, you know the detuned, 7 string heavier kind of tone, I would stick with the 6L6's but I play more classic rock. I find the tone easier to dial in, the lows and the high end are a little more tamed down and musical. Mark I mode really comes to life with these tubes. In some of the Boogie literature I have read they talk about that kind of sax tone that you get via the gain stage structure they use, and I think that it's a really good description, but I found it a little harsh and wanted something a little more creamy. The EL34's deliver!! I really think the mesa boogie gain structure tamed by the 34's is a perfect combination.
I was sort of skeptical because I was thinking that I would probably have to turn it on and play it with the 6L's then change the tubes and play the 34's to really notice any kind of difference since the difference would be at the power tube stage. I was even considering recording such a session so I could really listen side by side. But I didn't have time, I had a rehearsal that night and really only enough time to put the new tubes in and get to rehearsal. I was able to hear the difference, I was able to feel the difference, it was just a different experience. That was a week ago yesterday, then on Friday I had a gig with my other band, and fell even deeper in love with these tubes, and then another rehearsal last night. I mean when you are just blown away by your guitar tone all night, it tells the story. I have made a few adjustments, on the fly. I am still in FAT mode on channel one... brought up the mid's a bit and got a nice big fat clean tone. I have switched from crunch to Mark I in channel 2... and love it, I have always like to fool around with this mode but never found it a useful tone for me live, and went from II C+ to Mark IV mode on channel 3... just minor adjustments to my previous tone settings and I am now in tone heaven. Everything sits in the mix so nicely.
OK I think I have raved on long enough about this... just wanted to share my experience, for those who are on the edge and thinking about giving it a try... it comes down to the type of music you like to play really .. the 6L's are the thing if you want that big heavy tone (and I'm not talking about the saturation levels, there's plenty of range there whichever tubes you use) ... if you are more of a classic rock player ... I think 34's are the answer.
