Early black face Mesa Dual Rectifier with factory 6550s...

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SBlue
SBlue
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I'm the proud owner of a early 94 DR, Rev G, small logo, attached power cord and 8-16 8-16 4 4 speaker outs. Mesa 6l6s, rectifier and preamp tubes. Bone stock. Big, bold and mean sounding amp. The amp sound amazing, and it's a keeper!
About three months ago I had the chance to get a 92 DR, Rev C, serial # 211.
Yesterday I've bought a DR, black face, serial # 590, and I should be able to pick up both amps next month since I'm outside the US right now.
I've bought it from the original owner, who said he special ordered the amp, new at the time, with 6550.
Has anyone in here seen one with factory 6550s? How would it sound? Also, would it be a Rev E circuit?
I'm really excited and can't wait to get them three together and have a blast using them at the studio.
Thanks in advance!!!
Cheers
 
I've never seen one with 6550s from the factory, but I've played an early DR with 6550's and it gives the amp some nice upper mids that are lacking with the 6L6's.
 
I've heard of guys running big bottles in these amps but, never straight from the factory
 
I've never heard of a factory 6550's before. The previous owner said he ordered he asked for these tubes, and he got it that way. I don't think they've built the amp from scratch to use 6550, but used a regular unit and just done a few mods. But it would be cool, regardless. I'll ask my friend who is keeping the amp ti'll I fly to LA to check is there's anything mentioned about the 6550s on the sales receipt.
My apologies for the strange question. In the end, I think I'm just way too excited to get these amps and start making noise, since I've been using the one I've got more every day!
 
Well... it ended up that the guy who sold me the amp was a big ass liar!! Lol
And since I was not in the US to check out the amp when it was for sale it ended up being a bit of a trouble.
Anyway, it wento to the Mesa Store(like all Mesas I've bought) for a check up.
Modded for 6550, and a "shit lotta non-sense mods", since the amp now sounds 5x better than when it was modded.
By the end of the day, I've ended up putting 1150.00 into the amp, which I think wasn't bad, since the thing sounds like God now!!!
They are:
R-003704 Rev. G
R-0590 Rev. E
R-0211 Rev. C

DualRectifiers.jpg
 
How does the rev E sound compared to the C and G? Not many of those around.
 
Skrapmetal":14aj3tor said:
How does the rev E sound compared to the C and G? Not many of those around.

I know it sounds obvious, but compared with the Rev E, the C lacks a bit of low end, but got bit more gain on tap.
The Rev G got more lows than the Rev E, a smoother top end and it's a hair slower in response.
Having all three, now I know why some people like the Rev G better, some the Rev E and some the early Rev C.
They are different enough to have all three, if you're a Mesa Rectifier whore.
 
SBlue":1re9im9i said:
Skrapmetal":1re9im9i said:
How does the rev E sound compared to the C and G? Not many of those around.

I know it sounds obvious, but compared with the Rev E, the C lacks a bit of low end, but got bit more gain on tap.
The Rev G got more lows than the Rev E, a smoother top end and it's a hair slower in response.
Having all three, now I know why some people like the Rev G better, some the Rev E and some the early Rev C.
They are different enough to have all three, if you're a Mesa Rectifier whore.

Interesting and congrats on the collection. Too bad you had to deal with a douche who doesn't know what he selling....So, which do you lean towards? Never owned a C, but the E, F, G's are all sweet.
 
Some day I may pick up a G (or a three channel), but I absolutely love how raw and aggressive the gain is on the F.
 
Thanks Steve!
I'm thinking about selling the G, since it's the easiest one to replace.
I believe if I had to keep one, it would be the E. It got best of both worlds... the low end of the G and the Presence of the C.
For now, I'm gonna keep the C and E. Later on I want to get another G. Maybe a Triple. It just hurts me selling this G 'cause it's a small logo, modern loop and attached cord... besides sounding freaking insane!!!
They're all amazing!
 
SBlue":3qvo7x08 said:
Thanks Steve!
I'm thinking about selling the G, since it's the easiest one to replace.
I believe if I had to keep one, it would be the E. It got best of both worlds... the low end of the G and the Presence of the C.
For now, I'm gonna keep the C and E. Later on I want to get another G. Maybe a Triple. It just hurts me selling this G 'cause it's a small logo, modern loop and attached cord... besides sounding freaking insane!!!
They're all amazing!

If it sounds amazing it might not be quite so easy to replace.

Just sayin'. :)
 
some dude":34vkg2n5 said:
SBlue":34vkg2n5 said:
Thanks Steve!
I'm thinking about selling the G, since it's the easiest one to replace.
I believe if I had to keep one, it would be the E. It got best of both worlds... the low end of the G and the Presence of the C.
For now, I'm gonna keep the C and E. Later on I want to get another G. Maybe a Triple. It just hurts me selling this G 'cause it's a small logo, modern loop and attached cord... besides sounding freaking insane!!!
They're all amazing!

If it sounds amazing it might not be quite so easy to replace.

Just sayin'. :)


I agree with you 100%! That's why I'm so reluctant about selling it. And it's also clean and reliable. What else could someone want from an amp?
 
I've been preaching it for years on this board about how much I like two KT88's and two KT66's in a dual. More bass, tighter, and more volume. I prefer my big bottle'd rev F over my rev C.
 
RJF":1tx4p0lu said:
I've been preaching it for years on this board about how much I like two KT88's and two KT66's in a dual. More bass, tighter, and more volume. I prefer my big bottle'd rev F over my rev C.

Man I did this to my Roadster a few months a go. Holy shit! It was great before but it's a flame throwing monster now! :rock:
 
RJF":6dk33kwr said:
I've been preaching it for years on this board about how much I like two KT88's and two KT66's in a dual. More bass, tighter, and more volume. I prefer my big bottle'd rev F over my rev C.
Did you do a bias mod to run the big bottles in the recto?
 
hellaboogie":2tyr0nzz said:
RJF":2tyr0nzz said:
I've been preaching it for years on this board about how much I like two KT88's and two KT66's in a dual. More bass, tighter, and more volume. I prefer my big bottle'd rev F over my rev C.
Did you do a bias mod to run the big bottles in the recto?
Nope. In 6L6 mode the amp is biased very cold with 6L6's. That cold 6L6 bias is roughly about right for the big bottles. I had my tech check install the tubes and check the bias, said it was fine in 6L6/bold/SS rectifier mode.
 
 
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