One important thing to consider with the TC-50...... well perhaps more so on the Mesa EL34s. When new and barely any use on the tubes, the amp will sound a bit sterile, bright and lacking midrange. Probably one reason why I have not been fond of the Mesa EL34 or even the EHX EL34 when I first tried them. It seems they will change in character after about 20 hours of use. You may notice the mids beginning to bloom during this period. After that the amp sounds incredible. I can say that the Mesa EL34 tubes never sounded better than they do in the TC-50. Almost a perfect match. By no means do they sound brittle or harsh in the TC-50. Tight and warm character with well balanced top end and just the right amount of midrange to put a smile on your face if you lost it from playing though something else. If you like what you hear in the Mesa video you will get it at home too (actually I think the amp sounds better in person).
If you opt for the 6V6, enjoy them as they also sound amazing in the TC-50. Not sure what I like better and is difficult to decide. The 6L6GC on the other hand that is a different story on its own. I have several varieties including Mesa tubes. I was not too impressed with the 6L6 tube in this amp as it takes too much away from the tone farm. I will have to try them again now that the amp has some hours of use on it (doubt that will change much if anything). What the 6L6GC takes away, the 6V6 brings back as they have a similar character to the 6L6 but different.
Yeah, I am flip-flopping my opinion on this amp. At first I was not sure it was for me. I knew better and should have waited for the amp to catch up to my expectations (I did not have any actually at first....how can an object surpass that? If it puts a smile on my face and sings like it does that is good enough for me). Now I cannot stop playing though it. So far it has become one of my favorites and may top the list soon enough.
If you opt for the 6V6, enjoy them as they also sound amazing in the TC-50. Not sure what I like better and is difficult to decide. The 6L6GC on the other hand that is a different story on its own. I have several varieties including Mesa tubes. I was not too impressed with the 6L6 tube in this amp as it takes too much away from the tone farm. I will have to try them again now that the amp has some hours of use on it (doubt that will change much if anything). What the 6L6GC takes away, the 6V6 brings back as they have a similar character to the 6L6 but different.
Yeah, I am flip-flopping my opinion on this amp. At first I was not sure it was for me. I knew better and should have waited for the amp to catch up to my expectations (I did not have any actually at first....how can an object surpass that? If it puts a smile on my face and sings like it does that is good enough for me). Now I cannot stop playing though it. So far it has become one of my favorites and may top the list soon enough.