MESA BADLANDER EL34 VS 6L6 TUBE COMPARISON

Trying out the Mesa Badlands again, this time comparing Power amp tubes and also boosting with a Maxon ST9 Pro.
Signal path -
Solar Guitar
Maxon ST9 Pro+
Mesa Badlander
Direct To Audio interface
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I'm Ola Englund and welcome to my channel. A channel dedicated to guitar related gear with a focus on metal. I also play in the metal bands The Haunted & Feared and run a guitar company www.solar-guitars.com
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www.amazon.com/shop/fearedse
Edited by OrionVP

[@OlaEnglund]

FRIDAY! Have a great weekend everyone!

[@titus7770]

Will you do impulse responses on these?

[@maxbeau5062]

Ola do you wish it was a full size head? Why’d they make it smaller

[@rostamostmann9657]

El34 sounds metalierrrrrr.

[@Protonaut]

I will, because I'll definitely order that yellow AB. Would love to see one in seafoam, the roasted maple + seafoam combo would look killer

[@sword7534]

have a great weekend ola

[@ilikepotatoes1345]

The thumbnail makes the amp head look like it's the size of a minivan.

[@JulienMarzanoGuitarist]

Or Ola is vert short today

[@adrianamorphous]

It is

[@FEAROWNAGE]

Find me a minivan that short.

[@mozeby1975]

Got my Maxon St9 pro+ a month ago. It really pushed my Mesa Stiletto into new territory. Was using a TS10 which still sounds great and used to have an OD808 which also was good but the ST9 really turns it into a more saturated metal tone. Love it.

[@nailed2theX]

Amazing video as usual! I have to admit, I like how it sounds a lot better with the 6L6 tubes. More bass and low end growl, thicker mids, and I always use a boost with my recto and this amp to my ears(based off various videos) sounds even better than a Recto. It’s almost like a mix between a Recto and a Mark series.

[@DavePowell666]

I feel like the amp generally sounded better in this video than in the previous video. I wasn't really blown away by the tone in the other video, but now...I'm feeling it bro!

[@visualdarkness]

Mic placement has a huge effect.

[@ChannelForty2]

I can't get over how aggressive this amp is. I'm really into it. I'm currently on a big Engl kick but Mesa Boogie is just something really special.

[@Satchafunkilus]

I had the Engl, the Kraken, Laney, Marshall, Peavey. When I tried the Badlander, I was sold! btw I use to own all those amps...but Badlander is currently THE best Rectifier currently, get 1 you won't regret

[@ladyjulia4038]

Guitars are awesome and keep rocking those shameless plugs. Can't say I could hear a difference in the tubes. That said it might just be a feel thing and how it responds to pick attack and dynamics. I don't know I'm a bass player.

[@yourgameisstupid]

Ola's guitars always have the catchiest names

[@Bigfatriffmaker]

OLA! I ordered 2 feared cds, I asked if you could sign them, And You Did! Thank YOU So much!! You rock bro!! Keep on with the CHUG!

[@kalebk0422]

Absolutely love this amp! Feel free to keep making videos with it. And as far as plugged straight in(no boost) I liked the el34s the most!

[@SpartanLaserCanon]

You need very good ears to actually hear the difference L0L, but I prefer the EL34s too.

[@MrMattsac232]

The cabinet being “here in the spirit” made me lol. Great video.

[@djxxeess]

Thanks for doing this Ola! Sounds fkn amazing. I'm sold. Mission accomplished.

[@Cossfrack]

Both sound great. On my travels I found a JCM900 with 6L6s. I tried it out. Imagine a gritty Marshall but with some extra kick to the nuts.

[@MichaelJordan-yg3nc]

Happy Friday Ola! very cool comparison wanted to see the over drive engaged with the El34s happy Friday brother

[@jublaim]

Ola, this was a great comparison! The differences you/we hear is to a great deal caused by this: 6L6 got less transconductance or "gain" compared to EL34. It changes how the poweramp, including the Phase Inverter, responds. The PI is hit with the same signal level whether you use 6L6 or EL34, but 6L6 will yield less output power. This also decrease the Negative FeedBack signal that is fed back from the output transformer to the PI, since it's proportional to output power. Less NFB will make for slightly loose bass and not as "tight" sound. The Presence circuit will also change it's behaviour a bit.

[@ericv7720]

From my experience, 6l6 is tighter, at least when you get the volume up to the point of the power tubes breaking up.

[@YOutsider]

the net frequency output of 6L6 is well-know to produce more bass and el34 more midrange; hence tighter sounding bottom end with el34s.

[@DodInTheSky]

These Solars are absolutely beautiful! I wish I'd waited a little bit longer to buy a guitar...

[@flowryan5829]

You need to buy another one. Sorry to say that, dude.

[@sellsn01]

Your the last guy on earth that plans to have 1 guitar lol. Don’t worry the sickness will set in soon enough.

[@Rooster7six]

You always always need a new guitar! Gotta cover a lot of tunings man!

[@MrRyeDaddy]

Thanks for the video, would love to see this compared with a Mark V! Have a great weekend yourself!

[@jimmitchell8357]

Got a warm fuzzy feeling when you started playing the flood. Miss that melodic vocals of the haunted.

[@massttrshrdrharmonicminor2002]

Hope your ok Ola, great tones as always

[@VshnsAudio]

I seriously appreciate the variable controls in these.

[@aksh2]

Fantastic reviews as always, the Badlander sounds tasty. Really appreciate the multi-faceted approach you take with your videos, different mics, cabs, IRs, etc. Appreciate the effort. Also, I'm amazed just how good the Solar guitar line is becoming day-by-day. Seriously considering ordering one before the holidays. I have question!!! What's with the names though? Why are they names inspired by serial numbers? Apologies if you've answered this before.

[@jasoncrump1886]

Thanks Ola really diggin that amp man. Like to hear ya on a new song with that thing.

[@ArmanGrim]

Thanks for the awesome Vlog man 🤘🍻

[@sirgerbilmacintosh9101]

I've always preferred eL34s for high gain tones and 6L6s more for cleans. This video reinforces that preference.

[@andybungert]

I had a kick ass Friday. Got an A1.6 Vinter first run for hella cheap. Guy just wasn't into it. Glad to FINALLY experience a Solar Guitar!!!! 🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@BBGuitars]

Glenn Fricker wants to fight you now!

[@pigdick2233]

Isn’t he that fat guy who hates everyone and everything?

[@tommywd40]

@@pigdick2233 pretty much

[@impheris]

@@pigdick2233 of course not -.- he is a sweet guy, he really loves bassists

[@anthonyvabene6697]

Fighting Glenn Fricker? LOL, that wouldn't be a fight, it'd be a beating. But why on earth would we want to abuse the mentally handicapped?

[@MidnightXII]

@@pigdick2233 now he’s the much-less-fat-than-he-used-to-be guy who hates everything

[@cheesewhisk]

The Ferrari of guitars right there. Have a kick ass day too my lovely man

[@brunowilliam7529]

Hey ola, it's nice seeing you expanding with the pickups on solar guitars! Do you think we will see more EMG pickups in the future on solar guitars? (I think there is one at the moment)

[@Vandalis88]

Love your vids man thx :D

[@raindropcleaners]

When you turn on boost that squeel is the beginning of Manson Dope Show.

[@killemall1983]

Sounded like the sound before "if you'd like to make a call"

[@DiscoD777]

The amp seems to have plenty of gain without a boost, fine demo sir

[@elbromas8032]

Both sound excellent! Can’t go wrong with the whole amp ;)

[@wiktorpasnikowski7759]

Great job bro!!!

[@CrushingAxes]

Sounds really badass! The guitars are awesome !

[@michaelmitchell5909]

New solar guitars are awesome Ola...

[@Xyrium]

NIce new guitars, I really like the humbucker and single, single coil config.

[@matforsbon]

How can you not fall in love with these guitars

[@hjthiessen]

Supercool, thanx for this test

[@Bearjams]

Here in Spirit LOL \m/ Hey Ola just got my A1.6 FRFOB and its awesome, I love it. Thank you for making badass guitars!!!!

[@dgarrr2]

Interesting! I like the high end and more scooped sound of the 6L6, but much prefer the tighter low end and directness of the EL34. I wonder if it's easier to pull back the mids and boost the highs in an EL34 setup, or easier to just tame the low end on the 6L6? Hmmm

[@CharlySahona]

Badlander vs other versions of the Rectifier would be great ! :-) Great video thanks Ola

[@jl_woodworks]

That headstock angle looks wild!

[@Kadoogan83]

Guitar unveiling, amp review, and tube comparison, all in one short compact video. Ola the multi taskerer.

[@guitarocd9984]

I'm surprised I liked the 6L6s. El34s sounded s a little harsher. I was surprised I would hear that big of a difference. All around a great sounding amp.

[@Fitardvark]

That AB1.6FRCAR is gonna be mine as soon as its available in Australia!! Its gorgeous

[@kemalardaayar]

I fall in love with that flame maple one. Also 6l6 feels more like my kinda tone.

[@ryanshook8284]

I need this exact cab sim!

[@EdwardKayeplus]

The EL34 is clipping earlier, which makes makes it sound more saturated and a little sludgier at those gain levels. They are a little more scooped too. I feel like the 6L6s are tighter, so now I'm confused why they went with EL34.

[@cpeplinski]

Glad you did this video. Really excited about this amp and think it's time to upgrade from my old Tremoverb. How is the noise floor on Crush and a ton of gain?

[@AmrilAdib]

Salam jumaat ola❤️

[@anthonyvolpe5206]

I keep saying this on OLA videos...he gets the BEST CRUNCH sounds I have ever heard...and the SOLAR guitars are just incredible. I wish I could play...😁👍

[@seansalo5117]

Maybe if you KEEP practising, you will DEVELOP the skills you TALK about.

[@LoreAccurateHusky]

I really listened closely with my best set of headphones and I could hear a very subtle difference. There wasn't a change in the EQ in any way but there the 6l6's were a bit less compressed than the el34's. Those el34's sounded like they were being pushed slightly harder than the 6l6's, getting more compressed and maybe a little more saturation but don't quote me on that. I kind of liked the subtle flavor of the 6l6's as I prefer a little bit more of that higher-headroom openness going on there but again it's still a very subtle increase in headroom.

[@Marc-nc3vj]

I like the 6l6's for their low end, but I like the el34's for their cuting mids.

[@fjk1138]

I hear little to no difference, though I have played with both sets of tubes (6L6's on 3 different Mesas, EL-34s on a Marshall JVM) and to me it was more about the string attack and how the tone "felt" while playing. The 6L6s were more open and clearer, and the EL-34s were more compressed and longer sustaining. Neither was really better than the other, it's just a matter of taste. Though I would believe if you went with 6L6's and used the Tube Screamer (or similar boost) it should arguably make it more compressed like EL-34s. Regardless, I enjoy watching Ola play and explain things. Thank you OIa.

[@SAPlaysMetal]

0:58 dude that Gold Solar though 🤘🤘🧡

[@rlgdestroyu]

Olas chug face. Epic.

[@M4Y0_]

Please make a video with the normal 808 or Maxon OD-9, that would be awesome. Thanks for the videos! :)

[@poundpunch]

I just got a Peavey 6505+ and now im addicted to gear tests

[@StupidEarthlings]

Awesome guitars!

[@GiuseppeNegri95]

I would love to see it with the Nano Attack, just to tight the low end, sounds great btw!

[@mr.esabsurditiesatrocities1805]

Damn. Sounds great without the boost. Mesa did a great job here.

[@mikeus77]

I love that EL34 mid frequency "growl". The 6l6 sound flatter.

[@rustynales6610]

Throatier 🤘

[@jeffsoares9667]

I Fucking love the way it sounded with the Maxon Super Tube ST9 Pro plus engaged! I own 3 of those pedals! Totally understand why Cannibal Corpse use them, so Fucking crushing!! The Badlander does sound good on its own but the pedal enhances it! Great video like always, Ola!

[@Guithulhu]

Great vid, Ola. Think it sounded better without the pedal. Also, on the Boogie I used for many years, I'd use 6L6 with one EL34 (first tube after the pre section). That way you had the best of both worlds.

[@diezelvh4133]

So just use 6ca7 tubes then.

[@kirkembrey6503]

Love that Candy Apple Red does it come left handed :D

[@albertobettoldi8240]

Wow, awesome riff around 3:18.

[@hardstones17]

MMM that gold solar, if my Charvel Im waiting for falls through Imma be eyeballing one of those

[@brownsparlour9813]

st9 pro plus is such a great pedal!!use it too boost my vx100 all the time

[@Locoandchooch]

Listen to this with studio monitors, you can hear everything. Great amp.

[@dodmusic9255]

6L6 makes it sound more Recto IMO. Reminds me of a Tremoverb. But the additional Cab Clone is a huge plus.

[@Talmie]

And this is the Solar ACTKSJ 45 HIQHD

[@Dari555]

sound is amazing!!

[@odedginat]

Thank you Ola

[@HASHIRA6505]

Hey Ola , I've been watching you since the silence days lol. Do you think you'll ever do another signature amp head. Have you ever thought about making a Solar amp series. Cheers man \m/

[@SpikeRockNRoll]

That sounds like a great IR. Would buy!

[@digijams]

Man that red Solar looks like a Ibanez RG565 and that is a good thing.

[@nicholasqquiroz]

I like it mo betta when you use microphones rather than an IR. You're still a stud though.

[@CyberneticArgumentCreator]

The 6L6 has this slower bass transient response where it woofs on every palm mute, that's the major difference when playing with high gain. I think it has to do with the low end's phase? Not sure, but that's what's happening. I love it because it makes for really dark palm muting sounds but I don't play fast technical metal stuff where tight low end helps articulate the playing.

Hi Ola! can you share your IRs please? your tones are always amazing!

[@beatboxbill]

I love this amp. I don't plan on buying it, but I love it!

[@rockerboy84]

Hey Ola, I have a couple questions regarding the Badlander: 1- How do complex chords ring through? Does it has great note separation? 2- How would you compare this one to the Soldano SLO30? I know you mentioned the Soldano sounded like a Rectifier without the need of a boost for chuggah powa, it seems you mentioned the same about the Badlander? Thank you, man. You rock.

[@CoolestMcGuy]

If you ask me, the SLO doesnt sound like a recto, the spirit is there, but the amps arent identical

[@michaelmitchell5909]

Get a deziel dmoll brother...unless you can get a mesa for a good used price...play both befor making a choice

[@Rooster7six]

@@CoolestMcGuy Have you played one or are you going by KZbin vids?

[@rockerboy84]

@@CoolestMcGuy I know what you mean. The Recto does not appear to have the richness in harmonic content you hear in a Soldano.

[@rockerboy84]

@@michaelmitchell5909 not really into my considerations. From Diezel the ones I'm interested in is either the VH4 or the VH2, but not a priority right now. The most oustanding tone (for my tastes of course) I've heard so far is Soldano's. Followed close by the Friedman JJ. In this case I wanted to know how close is this Badlander to the SLO30 in matters of voicing.

[@fieldstraw25]

Since you've had several guitars, might have been wise to use different pickups. Like Duncan Solar, Fishman fluence, SH1 etc.

[@justinpowell534]

Ola for real went ahfgksheksif with those model names, love it

[@AngbandMetal]

EL34 is a little tighter, really good video

[@JosephCee]

I was pretty dead set on the new Engl Fireball 25 but now I really want this amp, the 50 watt version, I really do NOT need the full 100 watts, 50 watts is already too much power, I know because I had the EVH 50 for a brief time and I returned it because I was scared of how loud it was LOL. So the fact that I can play this amp in 20 watts is PERFECT.

[@markpenney46]

You've made me wanna buy this damn you !! Hey Ola, I don't believe you have reviewed an uberschall? Please correct me if I'm wrong. Would love to see that review, Cheers

[@firmans12]

Sounds pretty good with the IR. The videos before sounds nasal ish. I think its the mic Ola use

[@colelewis9940]

Maybe it's just me, Ola's mic'd sounds have sounded like asshole since like 2018 or so. He tries too hard to make a "room" sound which just sounds like a muffled farting mess. Would sound better with a single SM57. His using dark mics imo gives a god awful sound.

[@foxyfoxtrot4233]

I need that Tshirt 😁 Oh and I prefer the EL34s in this amp.

[@countzero5150]

Maybe the sound is more noticeable in person but if I listen with my eyes closed I can't tell when you switched. The deciding factor for me on 6l6 or el34 in my amp is simply what's most readily available, if one's on backorder I'll get the other.

[@aureliusandthespiral]

The SB sounds proper. Id love to check it out and take her to dinner.

[@jordiumethar4963]

Ola, question for you. What is your favorite distortion pedal and which one would you buy if you didn't have a lot of money to spend?

[@RobRadleyMusic]

This just woke me up 👀 🤟

[@swanation45]

I expected more gain for Crush mode with the gain dimed. Sounds good, but I feel like there should be more...idk

[@brianboeckman1666]

6L6's sound great in there

[@bartdegroot4826]

Ola, eventhough i'mnot a guitar player, i would like to know how the Solar guitars are build/constructed/conceived...

[@markjones2349]

I'm thinking of trying a set of 6L6 in my Bugera 333XL Infinium after watching this.

[@markjones2349]

I bought a set of 6L6's about a year ago and I'm about ready to put the EL34's back in. EL34 seem like a higher gain tube better suited to metal. 6L6 are a little too tame for me.

[@mitchelaramenko5250]

El34's with the boost for the win! Sounds like old school Suffocation but with better guitar production ;)

[@DomicidalCovers]

Ola if you release that candy red one with the exact same spec but in neon green then I WILL buy it and do a video on it!

[@Miah_]

Was the artist who requested you to use the Maxon, Rob from Cannibal Corpse, by chance?

[@davexhayter]

That was my guess.

[@DanielVanvors]

There is a video of him talking about this maxon pedal, but The drive is all the way down, mid and tone are at one or 2 o’clock and the levels all the way up. Plus he brags about the low boost on the pedal so I don’t think it’s him. But if you’re on the fence about buying this pedal? FUCKING DO IT!

[@ThyFinalPain]

@@DanielVanvors Rob changed his settings in the meantime - see other clip of Ola

[@DanielVanvors]

@@ThyFinalPain then it’s definitely rob. It’s the exact same setting on Olas cannibal corpse tone video

[@ThyFinalPain]

@@DanielVanvors Yes, i think so.

[@Mofme]

I Like this!