#16
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathode_bias http://carlscustomamps.com/cathode-vs-fixed-bias/ Answer to question #2: Depends on how hard, how often, and how long (at a given stretch) you play, as well as the particular circuit/position in which the tubes are being used - and, of course, the quality of the tubes themselves. I've heard tell of owners of McIntosh audio gear from the late-50's who are still running the original tubes (mostly in the lower-stress preamp and rectifier positions, but there are still a select few who have the OEM power tubes); in the guitar-amp world, Dennis Kager told me that a number of the older cathode-bias Ampegs (particularly the top-panel Jet/Rocket) were so conservatively designed (in terms of the voltages applied to the tubes) that it wasn't uncommon for well-maintained examples from the early-60's to still have their original tubes, and still with plenty of life left. On the other hand, if you're in a Deep Purple tribute band and running your '71 200W Marshall Major full-tilt every night (something every guitarist should add to his/her bucket list, BTW: the musical equivalent of strapping into a Top Fuel dragster and laying down a 330 MPH pass - and the justly-revered 100W Plexi doesn't even come close), you'll probably be replacing those big old KT88 power tubes every 4-6 months (at considerable expense), the preamp tubes at least once a year. Practically speaking, you know your own playing habits, and your ear is good enough to know when your amp no longer has the "it" factor that brought a big smile to your face the first time you plugged in - aside from obvious hums/hisses/crackles, that's usually the signal that a tube replacement might be in order... Corollary to questions #1 & 2: If you're considering a retube job - or even if you just want to learn a little bit of the tubehead jargon - don't do anything until you've visited these folks: http://www.thetubestore.com/ Wonderful customer service, extremely knowledgeable (read some of their in-depth tube reviews), very easy to deal with, fast shipping - they've been my source for several years and I can't recommend them highly enough; call/e-mail them and tell them exactly what your tonal requirements are (or ask for recommendations) - they'll be more than glad to help you assemble a tube package that meets (or exceeds) your needs...
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#17
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I do know what you mean about Macintosh and apparent the tube life. In the 70,s the three main high end amps we sold the most of were Macintosh, Phase Linear ,and then Carver ( when Phase Linear was bought by Pioneer and Bob Carver started Caver ). And the subject of changing tubes in the Macintosh was never discussed and something I never thought about really.
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Enjoy the Journey.... Kev... KevWind at Soundcloud KevWind at YouYube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...EZxkPKyieOTgRD System : Studio system Avid Carbon interface , PT Ultimate 2023.12 -Mid 2020 iMac 27" 3.8GHz 8-core i7 10th Gen ,, Ventura 13.2.1 Mobile MBP M1 Pro , PT Ultimate 2023.12 Ventura 12.2.1 Last edited by KevWind; 04-17-2017 at 03:18 PM. |
#18
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kev: i have several 60s amps that are still running their original output tubes. i've purposely rolled the preamp tubes for my liking tho.
i also have a couple of 60s dynaco st70s with original output tubes. play music!
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2014 Martin 00015M 2009 Martin 0015M 2008 Martin HD28 2007 Martin 000-18GE 2006 Taylor 712 2006 Fender Parlor GDP100 1978 Fender F65 1968 Gibson B25-12N Various Electrics |
#19
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Just for the sake of learning if nothing else
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Enjoy the Journey.... Kev... KevWind at Soundcloud KevWind at YouYube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...EZxkPKyieOTgRD System : Studio system Avid Carbon interface , PT Ultimate 2023.12 -Mid 2020 iMac 27" 3.8GHz 8-core i7 10th Gen ,, Ventura 13.2.1 Mobile MBP M1 Pro , PT Ultimate 2023.12 Ventura 12.2.1 |
#20
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http://www.thetubestore.com/Resource...7-Tube-Reviews http://www.thetubestore.com/Tubes/12...C81-Tube-Types http://www.thetubestore.com/Resource...6-Tube-Reviews You'll see the designation JAN, meaning Joint Army-Navy, preceding the manufacturer's name (GE, RCA, Sylvania, Philips, etc.) on some of these tubes. FYI these are the US/NATO-manufactured surplus mil-spec tubes that the hardcore Fender guys would sell their gonads to get, and if you're willing to pay the price they're arguably the most durable tubes on the market; good news is that there's also some old Soviet-bloc military stuff out there, equally rugged and usually far cheaper (I'm running these in both my Bugeras, BTW) - read some of the reviews/specs, I think you'll find it enlightening...
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#21
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if your amp is open backed, you should able to see all of the tubes and their brands. play music!
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2014 Martin 00015M 2009 Martin 0015M 2008 Martin HD28 2007 Martin 000-18GE 2006 Taylor 712 2006 Fender Parlor GDP100 1978 Fender F65 1968 Gibson B25-12N Various Electrics |
#22
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#23
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Enjoy the Journey.... Kev... KevWind at Soundcloud KevWind at YouYube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...EZxkPKyieOTgRD System : Studio system Avid Carbon interface , PT Ultimate 2023.12 -Mid 2020 iMac 27" 3.8GHz 8-core i7 10th Gen ,, Ventura 13.2.1 Mobile MBP M1 Pro , PT Ultimate 2023.12 Ventura 12.2.1 |
#24
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I looked at the Tubestore's pages with re-tube kits for specific amps, hoping there might be some info for Supro...they have quite a few amps in there and I expect that the Supros will show up in there sooner or later, but for now...no Supros. Incidentally, that's a real eye-opener, seeing the prices of the various tubes sets, with some of their "Ultimate" re-tube packages selling in the neighborhood of $600.00 or more! Some of those amps don't even cost that much (but maybe that's why...?). With what little I do know of tube characteristics, my guess is gonna be something along the lines of Phillips or similar....USA mil-spec?
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Larrivee L-10 Custom Larrivee DV-10K Larrivee L-03 Taylor 412K ('96) Yamaha LL16-12 (SOLD) PRS 'Studio' (SOLD) Rickenbacker 660-12 (SOLD) Fender USA Deluxe Strat Fender USA Roadhouse Strat Fender MIM/USA Partscaster Fender MIM Nashville Tele Kelsey Custom Hardtail Strat Fender MIM P-Bass |
#25
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FYI JAN (US mil-spec) tubes are a scarce commodity and becoming increasingly so - hence the elevated prices on the most popular types (12AX7, 6L6, 5AR4, etc.) - and although a few boutique builders use them it wouldn't be practical for a mass manufacturer like Supro. As I said earlier, I'm thinking they source theirs from either Russia (most likely IMO) or Eastern Europe (Slovakia, Poland, Czech Republic): supply is plentiful, prices are reasonable, and they're durable enough to handle running Class-A @ 50W output - conditions that would result in certain failure for lesser tubes...
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#26
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even tho i don't own a supro, i thought i'd find out what tubes they use for those who do. this is from supro's david koltai:
We use: JJ brand for all preamp tubes JJ brand for all 6V6 power tubes (Supreme amp) Sovtek brand for 5881 / 6L6WGC power tubes (Royal Reverb / Coronado / Comet / Thunderbolt / Rhythm Master) EHX brand for 6973 power tubes (Dual-Tone / Tremo-verb / Black Magick / Neptune / Saturn) ALL TUBES are tested and matched in house at Supro factory in NY best David Koltai play music!
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2014 Martin 00015M 2009 Martin 0015M 2008 Martin HD28 2007 Martin 000-18GE 2006 Taylor 712 2006 Fender Parlor GDP100 1978 Fender F65 1968 Gibson B25-12N Various Electrics |
#27
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#28
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Interesting...looking further for myself, I ran across this page, which I had not seen before;
https://suprousa.com/tech/power-amps/ This lists the tubes used in various Supro amps and tells a little bit about why. One thing I noticed was that the TremoVerb, which is identical to the Titan except for the power rating of 25 watts, uses the EHX 6973 power tubes, while the 50 watt Titan uses the Sovtek 6L6. Thanks to Steve DeRosa and muscmp for teasing these details out.
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Larrivee L-10 Custom Larrivee DV-10K Larrivee L-03 Taylor 412K ('96) Yamaha LL16-12 (SOLD) PRS 'Studio' (SOLD) Rickenbacker 660-12 (SOLD) Fender USA Deluxe Strat Fender USA Roadhouse Strat Fender MIM/USA Partscaster Fender MIM Nashville Tele Kelsey Custom Hardtail Strat Fender MIM P-Bass |
#29
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Guess neither Clapton, Knopfler, nor Santana are in danger of being deposed quite yet
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Enjoy the Journey.... Kev... KevWind at Soundcloud KevWind at YouYube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...EZxkPKyieOTgRD System : Studio system Avid Carbon interface , PT Ultimate 2023.12 -Mid 2020 iMac 27" 3.8GHz 8-core i7 10th Gen ,, Ventura 13.2.1 Mobile MBP M1 Pro , PT Ultimate 2023.12 Ventura 12.2.1 Last edited by KevWind; 04-22-2017 at 07:14 AM. |
#30
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Congrats on your NAD!
I love Supros, and Tone Kings, and Carrs, and too many to list,,,. |