Retube Suggestions Mesa Boogie MKIIB?

Brian · Pit Bull Joined: 26 Aug 2003 Posts: 373

Mesa Boogie Mark IIB 50/100, with reverb, graphic and EV12L options. I never used the 100 watt setting, even in stadium performances.

Brand and number of tube to replace:
4-Mesa branded 6L6, 4-Mesa branded 12AX7s, 1 Mesa branded 12AT7

Aspects of the amp to change or improve:
I bought this amp new. It sounded outstanding with my Telecaster and Stratocaster. Settings are typically Volume 1 at 7 Treble 7, mid shift enabled, Bass 5, Mid 3 or 4, Master 1 usually 2 – 3, Lead Drive ~5 ½ to 7
Lead Master usually 2 – 3; to be just slightly louder than the Master 1 Presence about 3.
The overdrive I like is smooth, tight, with tons of sustain. I don’t like the “flabby” distortion that can occur with too much low end (see http://home.earthlink.net/~ayan/index.htm ) but most of my crunch rhythm and soloing was done with my Telecaster on the bridge pickup with rolling a little high end off with the the tone pot. It may just be the condition of the tubes or other components but my custom Zion RT Classic (HSH) with Duncan JBs in both the Neck and Bridge sounds terribly flabby at the same settings the Telecaster sounds great with. I’d like to be able to get a warmer and creamy sound with a lot of harmonics, using the Zion’s neck pickup.

My initial thought
4 - balanced Groove Tubes 12AX7M Mullard Reissues (12AX7), 1 Mullard CV4024/12AT7, 4 matched Groove Tubes 6L6GC GE reissue Cost $280 Shocked

(just for the tubes, not including going through the amp) that's not chump change to me.

Any other ideas?

ACfixer · Posted: Tue Oct 04, 2005 5:11 am Post subject:

Brian, I know I am way late here... but do you know of Bob from JJ Eurotubes? That guy knows more about tubes than anybody I have ever met and his prices are real fair.