Mesa Boogie Heartbreaker

The Mesa Boogie Heartbreaker is another amp that can accommodate many different combinations of power tubes and preamp tubes. The kits we offer here are the most distinctive in tonal character, forged from many years of research. Every kit is configured to provide a specific sound/experience.

All our Mesa Heartbreaker Retube Kits include power tubes that are hand selected to run perfectly in Mesa amps. We have extensive hands-on experience measuring the fixed bias points in these amps and what grade of tubes will achieve optimal performance.

The default power tubes for all of the Heartbreaker Retube Kits are the JJ 6L6GC’s. These tubes follow the classic 6L6GC sonic archetype with big lows, smooth mids and crystalline highs. What sets them apart is their low end clarity, mid-range detail and very clear highs without being overbearing or harsh.

Other 6L6 family options include the JJ 5881’s and the JJ 6V6S’s. The JJ 5881’s are a Classic 23 watt 5881 in a traditional stubby bottle. “Jangle” for days and a very warm full tone. Right in-between the JJ 6L6GC and the JJ 6V6S in power. If you’re looking for that early-breakup “tweed” era character these are it. The JJ 6V6S’s can also be used but need to be run in the “Tweed” setting. Classic low power 6V6 tones kicked up a notch! Tighter lows, detailed mids and smooth clipping characteristics.

And then then there is the EL34 family of tubes. Thru the years the JJ E34L’s with their added punch and articulation have become a favorite here at Eurotubes and with our customers. They are very tight with an extended low end over a standard EL34. However you can use the Power Tube drop down to select the JJ EL34’s, the JJ EL34II’s, the JJ KT77’s or the JJ 6CA7’s. The JJ EL34’s are known for their mid range bloom and have a slightly looser feel when compared to the E34L’s. The JJ EL34II’s are not as aggressive as the E34L, but they are a little fuller in the lows and low mids than the EL34’s. The JJ KT77’s have an extended frequency response with big/chunky lows (even deeper than the E34L’s) and chimey/present highs. The mids are very smooth for an EL34 type tube and when driven they’re extremely rich and complex. The JJ Big Bottle 6CA7’s have big lows (on par with the KT77’s), an emphasis in the lows mids, and very round/natural highs. This gives the tube a very thick and round character that’s as close to crossing a standard EL34 with a 6L6 as you can get.

The Standard Retube Kit is as close to OEM as possible. Maintaining the amps stock level of headroom and gain while providing a warm but even handed overall sound. The kit includes one matched quad of JJ 6L6GC’s by default, a GZ34 Rectifier tube, one Balanced JJ ECC83S for the phase inverter in V5, and six Standard JJ ECC83S’s for V1 – V2 – V3 – V4 – V6 – V7.

The Gold Pin Retube Kit uses the JJ ECC83S Gold Pin variants to provide a smoother, creamier, and more singing overall sound. This option is less aggressive and has less “teeth” when driven hard. If you like a classic raunchy gritty overdriven tone, we recommend looking to the Standard or High Gain option. If sweet, open, and more refined is what you’re after this kit will do it. The kit includes one matched quad of JJ 6L6GC’s by default, a GZ34 Rectifier tube, one Balanced Gold Pin JJ ECC83S for the phase inverter in V5, and six Standard Gold Pin JJ ECC83S’s for V1 – V2 – V3 – V4 – V6 – V7.

The High Gain Retube Kit uses our hand picked high gain selected JJ ECC83S’s. If you’re looking for maximum crunch and grind this is where you want to be. Sonically this setup is very similar to our Standard Retube Kit but with a little extra gain on tap. The kit includes one matched quad of JJ 6L6GC’s by default, a GZ34 Rectifier tube, one Balanced High Gain JJ ECC83S for the phase inverter V5, two Standard ECC83S for V6 – V7 and four High Gain JJ ECC83S’s for V1 – V2 – V3 – V4.