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Post by Johnkenn on Nov 6, 2014 20:27:36 GMT -6
'68 Custom Deluxe...getting some whooshing and noise after a while. Gotta be a tube...Here's what it came with:
Pre Amp Tubes: Groove Tubes® - (4 x 12AX7), (2 X 12AT7)
Power Tubes: Groove Tubes® - (2 x 6V6)
Any brand suggestions? Just gonna replace them all.
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Post by wiz on Nov 6, 2014 22:24:41 GMT -6
I like JJs
cheers
Wiz
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Post by svart on Nov 6, 2014 22:28:24 GMT -6
I'd say go to tubes and more.com and read their descriptions, then take the descriptions and divide the idea of the sound You imagined in your head by 100. Now you have an idea off what the differences really are. (Very small)
Now look at the prices and notice how vastly different they are. The sound you imagined You wanted while reading the descriptions will be around a thousand dollars.
Now talk yourself out of those in favor of the cheapest JJ ttubes, Just like everybody else does.
Enjoy your new tubes.
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Post by jeromemason on Nov 6, 2014 22:37:54 GMT -6
I'd go JJ's all the way around, they are good tubes and not crazy expensive either. Mojotone sells retube kits, or you can a la carte with different types if you want. Are you gonna replace the rectifier tube too?
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Post by 79sg on Nov 7, 2014 5:47:53 GMT -6
I use the Tungsol reissue 6v6's and 12ax7's as well as the JJ 12ax7's, you won't go wrong with either. www.tubesandmore.com/products/T-6V6GT-TUNGtubesandmore.com has a 10% off and free shipping sale going on until 11/30. Scott |
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Post by jimwilliams on Nov 7, 2014 9:52:21 GMT -6
When I designed guitar amps for Basson Sound I specified Electro harmonix 12AX7A EH preamp tubes, a telefunken copied smooth plate design. For higher gains we used Tung-sol 12AX7A's. Power tubes were matched 6CA7's.
My 1966 Deluxe Reverb is fitted with EH 12AX7A's and a pair of GE 6550 power tubes. I have larger 100 watt transformers installed and it does about 75 watts.
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Post by sinasoid on Nov 7, 2014 15:48:56 GMT -6
/initiate nerd mode
Tube amps are kind of my specialty.
First thing I would do is get some contact cleaner on those tube pins. Usually fixes about 60% of noise problems with tube amps—particularly those whooshing noises. Second, if the contacts and sockets are clean, go ahead and run a multimeter on the resistors on the B+ decoupling and the plate resistors. That's also a common failure point, especially for newer Fender amps. If it isn't the resistors, then go ahead and replace all the tubes, and the problem should be gone, 95% of the time.
For tubes, JJ's are the most reliable current production option. For my main amps, I tend to step up to JAN (Joint Army Navy? Used to power military equipment in the 60s) preamp tubes and NOS GE power tubes. JJ 6V6 are interesting because they can handle much higher plate voltages than any other 6V6, but I don't really like the sound of them.
Alright, /nerdmode
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Post by popmann on Nov 7, 2014 15:51:31 GMT -6
reminder: power tubes will need bias adjustment....don't replace them unless you intend to do that. Definately don't use JJ 6v6s if you like the sound of your amp--because their V6s sound more like L6s....you want someone who makes actual 6v6 tubes for the power if you do need to replace them.
Rectifier isn't going to cause a whooshing.
Preamp tubes are swappable by any hamfisted end user--and you mix and match different gain types--12ax7, 5751, 12at7, 12ay7, etc---obviously if you love the sound--stick with the gain structure you have....but, I'm just pointint out that you won't harm the amp by altering the preamp tubes' gain amount.
I've not run into any trend I would call definitively "better" about new production preamp tubes. JJs won't suck. They will also NEVER be best for a given amp. But,--again, they won't suck. I wouldn't guarantee that with Russian made tubes (EH and Sovetec)....the Chinese tubes (most GTs and Tung Sol and such) tend to sound great and be much less reliable--so, that's often the choice--reliable JJ or good sounding Chinese tube.
I will also point out for the record--v1 preamp tube makes the most difference in sound....and then the power tubes. If you're looking to be spendy--NOS in v1 is good because it will last for close to ever....NOS power is wonderful, but they DO need replacement more often, so--you're best finding new production tubes you like and sticking with them. Usually they're rated so you can replace them without rebiasing....if you stick with same brand and power/gain rating.
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Post by cowboycoalminer on Nov 7, 2014 16:00:58 GMT -6
Use JJ's here
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Post by sinasoid on Nov 7, 2014 16:01:37 GMT -6
mix and match different gain types--12ax7, 5751, 12at7, 12ay7, etc Well, with new production amps, usually tube swapping in the preamp is fine, but this is not the case with many vintage amps. Plate dissipation varies from tube to tube—12AX7 is rated for 1.2W, IIRC and the 12AT7 is rated for 2.5W. Varying max plate currents could potentially cause some issues. The 5751 and 12AY7 usually work fine as drop in replacements for 12AX7 preamp tubes. I personally like the 5751 in almost everything. |
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Post by ephi82 on Nov 7, 2014 17:09:51 GMT -6
reminder: power tubes will need bias adjustment....don't replace them unless you intend to do that. Definately don't use JJ 6v6s if you like the sound of your amp--because their V6s sound more like L6s....you want someone who makes actual 6v6 tubes for the power if you do need to replace them. Rectifier isn't going to cause a whooshing. Preamp tubes are swappable by any hamfisted end user--and you mix and match different gain types--12ax7, 5751, 12at7, 12ay7, etc---obviously if you love the sound--stick with the gain structure you have....but, I'm just pointint out that you won't harm the amp by altering the preamp tubes' gain amount. I've not run into any trend I would call definitively "better" about new production preamp tubes. JJs won't suck. They will also NEVER be best for a given amp. But,--again, they won't suck. I wouldn't guarantee that with Russian made tubes (EH and Sovetec)....the Chinese tubes (most GTs and Tung Sol and such) tend to sound great and be much less reliable--so, that's often the choice--reliable JJ or good sounding Chinese tube. I will also point out for the record--v1 preamp tube makes the most difference in sound....and then the power tubes. If you're looking to be spendy--NOS in v1 is good because it will last for close to ever....NOS power is wonderful, but they DO need replacement more often, so--you're best finding new production tubes you like and sticking with them. Usually they're rated so you can replace them without rebiasing....if you stick with same brand and power/gain rating. I've been babying an old Fender for many years. first definitely the contact cleaner as suggested. Clean and reseat. if you plan to retube I would suggest that you spend extra bucks and get two NOS for V1 and V2. the rest can be any solid current commercial tubes like JJ's. An old RCA or Aperex/GE12ax7 sing in V1 and V2 note that if your noises that are currently happening are accoMpanied by a loss in power and volume, it's your output tubes in which case buy current quality and get a tech to re bias. |
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Post by mulmany on Nov 8, 2014 20:27:49 GMT -6
I like the JJ ECC803 long plates. They make a gold pin version and non gold pin version, stay with the non gold pin. They have a smoother distortion characteristic then the standard ax7. They are only 4 bucks more and worth a try. I buy most of my generic amp tubes from tube depot. I use tubes and more alot but find there prices a little higher on normal tubes.
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Post by Johnkenn on Nov 14, 2014 16:39:21 GMT -6
/initiate nerd mode Tube amps are kind of my specialty. First thing I would do is get some contact cleaner on those tube pins. Dude...you are a genius. I bought some DeOxit, took our all the tubes and applied it. Holy shit - it's like a different amp altogether. I'm about to do this to every electronic piece I own. (Er...is that advisable?) Anyway - no whooshing, no crackle and I swear the amp sounds better. I should be able to apply this to the 500 series contacts too, right? |
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Post by mulmany on Nov 14, 2014 16:58:13 GMT -6
/initiate nerd mode Tube amps are kind of my specialty. First thing I would do is get some contact cleaner on those tube pins. Dude...you are a genius. I bought some DeOxit, took our all the tubes and applied it. Holy shit - it's like a different amp altogether. I'm about to do this to every electronic piece I own. (Er...is that advisable?) Anyway - no whooshing, no crackle and I swear the amp sounds better. I should be able to apply this to the 500 series contacts too, right? John, I have never had it happen, but there are cautionary tails on the net about deoxit and dust build up since it leave a residue to help protect the contacts. Basically over time the dust build up can cause the pins to bridge and cause fireworks. The recommendation is if you start using deoxit keep doing it on a regular basis to avoid the dust build up. Contact cleaning is always a good thing, and retentioning the pins. |
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Post by Johnkenn on Nov 14, 2014 18:00:05 GMT -6
Well, I figured I would do it once and if when it starts futzing up again, do it again...
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