Tubes For Mesa/Boogie Nomad 55?

[jads57]

Hi, Will any 6L6 or EL34 tube work in a Mesa/Boogie Nomad 55? How do you going about which brand or tube type will give you the most clean headroom? I ask this since Mesa's have a fixed bias. Thanks in advance!

[mike80]

They will work, but they may not be rated for optimal performance. Most tube vendors can supply you with properly rated tubes if you tell them you have a Mesa.

You can also use Groove Tubes with a hardness rating between 4 and 7.

If you want to be able to use any tube in the amp, you can convert it to an adjustable bias. I did this to my Dual Rectifier.

[jads57]

Thanks Mike. What does the GT rating 4-7 translate to in terms of plate current?

[jads57]

So I ordered 2 sets of tubes TAD 6L6GC & JJ EL34L's frome Antique Music Supply. When I told them they were for a Mesa Nomad, they basically said the TAD's come matched already from their supplier. They did say they match the JJ's in house though,and can do a higher rated matched pair. When I mentioned the Groove Tube rating system 4-7, he just said that's not how they do it. Seems like everyone in the tube business speaks a different language. Any comments would be helpful!

[jads57]

Anyone?

[boogieplaya]

If you are trying to change the tone of that amp, tubes won't do much. I had one for about a week and was tube-rolling to try to get a good sound out of it, but nothing helped. If you like the tone of the amp, just get mesa tubes.

[jads57]

I had tried both Mesa STR440's & JJ 6L6's, and although it didn't change the tone that much the Mesa tubes sounded harsh compared to the JJ's I just put in a set of TAD EL34's and so far sounds good at home. I'll be able to tell better at the gig though.

[mike80]

Thanks Mike. What does the GT rating 4-7 translate to in terms of plate current?

I'm not sure. You could check the Boogie Board. I think there's a thread over there that has the plate currents listed.

www.forum.grailtone.com

[jads57]

Thanks Mike!