Need my rig to cut through better- new powertubes?

[witeter]

Hey guys since installing some JJ6L6 powertubes into my mesa single rec ive noticed at band practice that im finding it harder to cut through the mix than i used to. I tend to crank the mids anyways so thats not the problem, the only thing i can think it being are the tubes. I know JJ's have a reputation for being quite dark,etc but just wondered what youd recommend? anything else i could do do add more mids to my rig? thanks

[JacksonRR]

Your speakers might be a thing to focus on as well as the sound of your band mates. Of course, retubing or replacing speakers is an expensive option compared to asking your band mates to work with you. Asking the bass player to cut a  bit of mids while you cut a bit of bass may make all the difference.

[BigB]

Not the same amp but I have JJ 6V6S in my HRDx (supposed to be a rather dark amp) plugged into a Marshall 1965A cab (4x10 celestion G10L35 (greenback territory, so here again not specialy bright), and I don't have any problem cutting thru the mix despite another guitar player and a rather loud and mid-addict bass player (and a really heavy metalhead drummer).

I can only second Jackson here: working your respective EQs will probably be cheaper than trying various tubes and loudspeakers. 
 

[wolfenstein]

Hey guys since installing some JJ6L6 powertubes into my mesa single rec ive noticed at band practice that im finding it harder to cut through the mix than i used to. I tend to crank the mids anyways so thats not the problem, the only thing i can think it being are the tubes. I know JJ's have a reputation for being quite dark,etc but just wondered what youd recommend? anything else i could do do add more mids to my rig? thanks

When I had Mesa DR I liked there Svetlana =C= from Watford valves specialy picked for Mesa amps..Bit expensive but NOS military standard..I think any tubes would be brighter than JJ´s...Also I had there Electro Harmonix GC´s they sounded good as well...But realy on bright side could be Sovtek 5881 WXT or their improved version 6l6WXT+.....Tung-sol noe make re-issue GB "coke bottle" they are exellent sounding tubes if I remember they originaly came in my F revision DR as 420 STR...

edited:Try put some EHX or Tung-sol pre tubes to V1-V3...U will hear big difference...

[HTH AMPS]

If you really want to treat yourself, try some NOS 7581A's - they're military spec 6L6GCs, what Mesa used back in the day.  Will likely last longer than your time on this earth as well (well, not quite, but you get the idea).

These are a very cheap pair...  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vacuum-tube-7581A-NOS-matched-pair-NIB-NEW-6L6-pink-base-made-GE-/230718601026?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item35b7e67742#ht_500wt_1413

Here's what they usually go for...  https://www.kcanostubes.com/content/nos-jan-philips-7581as-matched-pairs

[witeter]

Cheers guys for the advice-the reason i wondered whether it was the tubes is because its the more recent thing that has changed-my speajers have remained unchanged for the last years (G12T75s) ive been playing with the band for coming upto 3 years so we are deffinetely not 'just finding our feet' if u know what i mean.
If i went for EL34's for example, would this give me more higher frequency emphasis? my head has a bias switch so it wouldnt be a problem trying some out..

[wolfenstein]

Cheers guys for the advice-the reason i wondered whether it was the tubes is because its the more recent thing that has changed-my speajers have remained unchanged for the last years (G12T75s) ive been playing with the band for coming upto 3 years so we are deffinetely not 'just finding our feet' if u know what i mean.
If i went for EL34's for example, would this give me more higher frequency emphasis? my head has a bias switch so it wouldnt be a problem trying some out..

EL 34īs would be great but remember you always need Mesa selected quad or two pairs...You canīt just buy any tubes and put them in thanx to fixed bias..If youīre european try Tube-town.de or Watford valves.co.uk they both do special orders and they are able to pick right bias range...But before I would recomend swap preamp tubes first...

[witeter]

hey man thanks for that-yeah the guy i order my tubes from always biases them properly for my mesa. Im just tempted to try the powertubes first as i have never had  a problem with the preamp tubes as my sound used to cut through better before-do EL34s have more mids,etc?

[Dmoney]

Generally speaking EL34s have more mids than 6L6s. Your T75 speakers lack mids though. I like T75's but I use an X-pattern with V30's. I don't like using 4 V30's. Never really enjoyed playing a 4x12 fully loaded with V30s.

[witeter]

Yeah im planning in having an xpattern speaker combo done in the future-but my question has come from the fact that i didnt have any issues cutting through with my rig previously but since having the new tubes it seems to have affected it somehow-good to know that EL34s have more mids though as maybe that is where my answer lies

[gwEm]

EQ pedal in the loop?

[witeter]

yeah i had thought about that-may also look into that option

[richard]

I would not buy anything from Watford Valves. After my last 'conversation' with them ( I phoned with a simple question and was subjected to a patronising, arrogant rant) I wouldn't touch them with a bargepole.

[witeter]

thanks for that, i normally buy mine from karltone, the guy is a gent and very accomodating