Mesa Solo 50

[Norm Fireland]

Hi Guys,

Has anyone ever used EL-34's in this amp? I had a dual rec before and used 6L6's but found that there was no mid whatsoever. I usually like a Marshall style sound, do you think you could get this from a Solo 50 with EL-34's?

Any help greatly appreciated :)

[Stevepage]

Devin Townsend used to have EL34's in his Dual Rectifier. I thought you couldn't use EL34's in Mesa's unless you had them modded?

[Antag]

The Solo 50 has a 6L6<->EL34 bias switch, as does the Dual Rec.  No idea how it sounds with EL34s, but I would imagine that it would still sound like a Rectifier, just with a bit less low end & more upper mids.

Yes, EL34s clearly sound different to 6L6s, but it's not going to transform it into a Marshall.  My Marshall SL-X has 6L6s & sounds nothing like my Rectifier did...

[marauder]

Devin Townsend used to have EL34's in his Dual Rectifier. I thought you couldn't use EL34's in Mesa's unless you had them modded?

Rectifiers have a switch on the back for 6L6 or EL34s.

I imagine with EL34s the bottom end will be less, losing the characteristic recto thump somewhat, but it will gain higher mids, maybe break up earlier, and the cleans won't be as good.  It will still sound like a recto and not a marshall though.

[marauder]

Beat me to it.

Have you tried a boost/OD with a recto, they love it.

[Stevepage]

Ah that's cool. Laney has the same thing on their GH and VH series amps.

Going by experience of changing between EL34's and 6L6's in the same amp, there isn't a huge difference but the upper mids are more pronounced with the EL34's. So if you want just a touch more mids then go for it, but don't expect a dramatic change.

[Denim n Leather]

I have EL34s in my Dual Rec ... doesn't significantly change the voicing of the amp, which I think is more related to the preamp ...