New MT15 has 6l6?? & cab question

[Dreaming90s]

I have an early version of the MT15 with 6L6GC’s, and I picked up another to leave at a rehearsal space, and it has the 5881’s. Once they hit a track, I don’t hear much difference between them.

I do prefer swapping the V1 to a lower gain 12ax7, and the PI to a 12AT7, just to give more clarity… not that anyone asked!

 

[andy474x]

So after sometime, I can’t seem to get this gain where I want it… using les Paul’s (one with high output 498t the other with a 57plus… I’m going after 90’s gain (early foo’s, soundgarden and as heavy as AIC) I’m either getting to much gain or not enough.. I feel like I need to take this gain, or get something to make the gain more clear for note definition… I keep flipping between 11 o’clock and 1oclock… master volume is only 9 o’clock… I thought about a 12at7 in the second gain stage to hopefully “clean it” unlike the tone of the gain, jsut can’t dial it… I’ve read people using 5771? (Lower thwn a 12at7)bin the second gain lead channel postion… I don’t want it to sound like a Marshall, I used a dual recto rev g in the 90s… so the PI slot, I’ve read you shouldn’t play with it? The valvue is set for a certain tube?

I happen to have a new jj 12at7 here lol, try it in the PI first? Or better to try and bring the gain down?

Thanks!

I’ve been running a 12at7 in the PI in mine for a while now with no problems, as far as I know there generally isn’t an issue making that swap in an amp. I’d try the 5751 in V1, or even a lower gain 12ax7 like the current production Mullard 12ax7/ecc83.

 

[Dreaming90s]

I’ve been running a 12at7 in the PI in mine for a while now with no problems, as far as I know there generally isn’t an issue making that swap in an amp. I’d try the 5751 in V1, or even a lower gain 12ax7 like the current production Mullard 12ax7/ecc83.

It’s not so much I wanna lose gain or the sound of the gain / distortion around 12-1 o’clock, I just wanna tighten it, hard to explain, missing note clarity with the gain that high, my rev g dual in the 90s you could hear all the notes with gain cranked on vintage. I’d say this amp has a little dual vibe like a mix of the vintage & modern Metal voicing from my old dual. So I have a jj 12at7 currently, I’ll try that first in the PI, would do you think I should expect just from doing that? Even though ithe mt15 is new, should check the bias of the power tubes? I’ve read some say they were way off… overall I’m happy with it for my home use, I just can’t get this gain / distortion to cooperate with me lol… you suggestion of different 12ax7’s I think this comes with ecc83’s I haven’t opened mine yet. Thank for your help.

 

[andy474x]

It’s not so much I wanna lose gain or the sound of the gain / distortion around 12-1 o’clock, I just wanna tighten it, hard to explain, missing note clarity with the gain that high, my rev g dual in the 90s you could hear all the notes with gain cranked on vintage. I’d say this amp has a little dual vibe like a mix of the vintage & modern Metal voicing from my old dual. So I have a jj 12at7 currently, I’ll try that first in the PI, would do you think I should expect just from doing that? Even though ithe mt15 is new, should check the bias of the power tubes? I’ve read some say they were way off… overall I’m happy with it for my home use, I just can’t get this gain / distortion to cooperate with me lol… you suggestion of different 12ax7’s I think this comes with ecc83’s I haven’t opened mine yet. Thank for your help.

My changes on the V1 and PI were both to achieve a similar goal, I also wasn't getting the clarity and note definition I wanted. I felt the 12ax7 in V1 was just blasting the front end of the amp, making a ton of distortion and blowing everything up right away to where any additional distortion down the line was just creating mud. I wanted the gain to cascade through the amp more. The 12at7 PI helps with that some as well, and also just helps to clean up some of the boomy low and low mid.

Even with the tube changes, I still use the amp at about 12:00 or less on the gain knob, you'll still be able to get all the distortion you want, it's just a little easier to control.

 

[Dreaming90s]

My changes on the V1 and PI were both to achieve a similar goal, I also wasn't getting the clarity and note definition I wanted. I felt the 12ax7 in V1 was just blasting the front end of the amp, making a ton of distortion and blowing everything up right away to where any additional distortion down the line was just creating mud. I wanted the gain to cascade through the amp more. The 12at7 PI helps with that some as well, and also just helps to clean up some of the boomy low and low mid.

Even with the tube changes, I still use the amp at about 12:00 or less on the gain knob, you'll still be able to get all the distortion you want, it's just a little easier to control.

Thanks for the reply… I have a jj ecc81 (12at7 ?) here that’s new… should I try the pi first or gain 1? Oddly I have a new jj ecc823, I think I got this to try and tame a Marshall dsl I had at one point but got rid of, it shared a gain stage or something with the clean. Anway way, since I have a 12at7 currently, PI first?

 

[andy474x]

Thanks for the reply… I have a jj ecc81 (12at7 ?) here that’s new… should I try the pi first or gain 1? Oddly I have a new jj ecc823, I think I got this to try and tame a Marshall dsl I had at one point but got rid of, it shared a gain stage or something with the clean. Anway way, since I have a 12at7 currently, PI first?

No harm in trying it in both spots!

 

[Dreaming90s]

No harm in trying it in both spots!

Thanks! I’ll have to order some tubes, I think I’ll try this12at7 first in the PI. What can expect from that? I’ve never swapped pi’s in any amps back in the day. Always power tubes and pre lol

 

[andy474x]

In the PI should tame some of the lows but not affect the gain very much.

 

[Dreaming90s]

In the PI should tame some of the lows but not affect the gain very much.

Oh im
Not having any issues with low end or low mids, I said my issue is note clarify on a moderate to higher gain setting (noon to 1 o’clock) full chrods, crazy chords in drop running etc, are a bit to fuzzy, but pulling the gain back to 10-11 just drops the distortion to much. I’m not playing metal, or looking for metal tones per say… I’m a Les Paul guy trying to get closer to my old 95 mesa dual back in the 90’s… I had the foo fighters - the colour and the shape tone nailed on my old tube swapped recto (el 34’s instead of the 6l6s, mesa and old stock rca tubes in the pre just don’t remeber much about it) on that amp if I wanted to go a little more heavy like Alice In Chains I would just run the gain up a hair more. I never used the modern red channel, I was using the clean channel or vintage on the other channel, been over 30 years can’t remember)…. So maybe try the second gain stage for the lead channel with the 12at7? I think first will pull it down to much

 

[andy474x]

Oh im
Not having any issues with low end or low mids, I said my issue is note clarify on a moderate to higher gain setting (noon to 1 o’clock) full chrods, crazy chords in drop running etc, are a bit to fuzzy, but pulling the gain back to 10-11 just drops the distortion to much. I’m not playing metal, or looking for metal tones per say… I’m a Les Paul guy trying to get closer to my old 95 mesa dual back in the 90’s… I had the foo fighters - the colour and the shape tone nailed on my old tube swapped recto (el 34’s instead of the 6l6s, mesa and old stock rca tubes in the pre just don’t remeber much about it) on that amp if I wanted to go a little more heavy like Alice In Chains I would just run the gain up a hair more. I never used the modern red channel, I was using the clean channel or vintage on the other channel, been over 30 years can’t remember)…. So maybe try the second gain stage for the lead channel with the 12at7? I think first will pull it down to much

No, that amp has so much gain, you'll still have plenty. I looked the other day and I actually have a 12ay7 (very low gain tube) in the V1 it still comes through strong.

 

[Dreaming90s]

No, that amp has so much gain, you'll still have plenty. I looked the other day and I actually have a 12ay7 (very low gain tube) in the V1 it still comes through strong.

Someone told me to quit messing around with the mt15 and grab a archon 50… I’ve watched a few vids. They don’t sound all that much different to me.

I ordered a 5751 pre tube, waiting on it to come, I planned to try it in the second stage of gain for the lead channel.

Still have the jj 12at7 here, il try that too when the other tubes shows up when I open the head up.

 

[andy474x]

Someone told me to quit messing around with the mt15 and grab a archon 50… I’ve watched a few vids. They don’t sound all that much different to me.

I ordered a 5751 pre tube, waiting on it to come, I planned to try it in the second stage of gain for the lead channel.

Still have the jj 12at7 here, il try that too when the other tubes shows up when I open the head up.

I agree. There are differences, but they’re minor. Mostly that the Archon has the depth control and bright switches, but the base tones are similar. The MT15 get so loud, I have a hard time finding the need for a very similar sounding 50 watt amp.

 

[DreamTheaterRules]

I agree. There are differences, but they’re minor. Mostly that the Archon has the depth control and bright switches, but the base tones are similar. The MT15 get so loud, I have a hard time finding the need for a very similar sounding 50 watt amp.

I seem to get really curious about just HOW different they are, when I see one of the MT15s for sale and the first number is 4…. But I always have the bright switches on, and use the depth control extensively.

 

[Dreaming90s]

I agree. There are differences, but they’re minor. Mostly that the Archon has the depth control and bright switches, but the base tones are similar. The MT15 get so loud, I have a hard time finding the need for a very similar sounding 50 watt amp.

Kinda what I’ve figured… once i get this gain tamed a little, I’m hoping to tame the volume control… it goes from silent right to into your face… to me, the amp opens up good around 9 o’clock on the volume, but damn that’s loud. I still have half my hearing left, hoping I can make it another 10 years before I have to get hearing aids… only downside to playifnagain after 20 years, ringing in my ears is more pronounced again smh….

Why does nobody talk about the mesa 12ax7’s ? I forget what they are labeled but they don’t start with a 12. If I recall, yeah they are a high gain tube for v1, but if I remember correctly they were super clean with zero noise, never got microphonic… wveryone seems to love these JJ’s…

 

[Dreaming90s]

I seem to get really curious about just HOW different they are, when I see one of the MT15s for sale and the first number is 4…. But I always have the bright switches on, and use the depth control extensively.

You and me both, I did read someone say the archon 50 is better for low volume

 

[bodia]

You and me both, I did read someone say the archon 50 is better for low volume

After having both, I would say the Archon is the winner.