Switched from Mesa 2:90 to Marshall 9100 for power

[ratkent]

I was powering my Randall M4 preamp with a Mesa Boogie 2:90 and it was just not working for me. It sounded best when I was running two Marshall 4x12 cabs but I rarely have room or even the need for two cabinets any more so I was running one 4x12 in stereo and the Mesa was hard for me to get just right in that situation. I even tried running it at Half Drive and with every combination of options with the Deep and Modern switches but I could never get it in the pocket. I also was having trouble getting the input into the Mesa just right. It was too easy to send it too much signal and my tone would be a harsh, mid honking mess.

On a whim I got the Marshall 9100 off ebay for a good deal and I am much happier. It has all the power I need and is certainly easier on the ears. I have never had much experience with 5881 power tubes but so far I like what I am hearing. What I have given up is a bit of clean headroom and some booming bass but the midrange is much more pleasant and the volume is certainly more controllable.

Other than the Blackface I use for a clean tone, all of my other modules (Plexi, Brown, XTC) are more on the Marshally side of things so I think this is also why the 9100 matched up a little better for me as well.

I think the main thing I learned is that I'm just not a 6L6 guy.

 

[Lonerock]

LOL I'm just the opposit !
Think all the preamps I owned sounded best with 6L6 (more sparkling tone)

 

[Iconoclysm]

I like the KT-77's, right in the middle.

 

[Anonymous]

I thoght that the Mesa Boogie 2:90 power amp could take EL34's or 6L6's is this true?!?

 

[3 Mile Stone]

Kent, which one is the 9100? Is that the older one with the black face or is one of the newer styled ones with teh gold face. I love 5881 tubes. I think they do a good job of everything.

 

[3 Mile Stone]

Kent, which one is the 9100? Is that the older one with the black face or is one of the newer styled ones with teh gold face. I love 5881 tubes. I think they do a good job of everything. Can you bias that amp? does it come with 5881 standard?

 

[fatang]

You can mix and match but you can't use the EL34s on their own. Harry Kolbe used to mod the 2:90 to take advantage of the mix but it's not necessary.

Robert

I thoght that the Mesa Boogie 2:90 power amp could take EL34's or 6L6's is this true?!?

 

[muudrock]

Kent, which one is the 9100? Is that the older one with the black face or is one of the newer styled ones with teh gold face. I love 5881 tubes. I think they do a good job of everything. Can you bias that amp? does it come with 5881 standard?

The 9100 (50watt per side) and 9200(100 watt per side) are the gold-faced version. 5881 standard, but not easy to bias.

Good power amps with great headroom and clean power.