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Last gasp of a dying tube
For 40 years I have been dedicated to Fender amps. I started with a bkack face Princeton Reverb, moved to a blonde Showman, then started buying Tweeds for under $150. I have been using my Current 50s Tweed Deluxe since the 90s. It had all original tubes when I took possession of it.
Last night at rehearsal the volume was dying. Turned up to 3 it has always had plenty if bark and bite. I looked into the back and saw one tube was barly glowing. It's going into the shop today for a full inspection. I am thinking about a total retube to avoid disaster at live gigs. Any suggestions on new tubes? I am not willing to hunt for NOS tubes, but rather the best if new tubes. A friend suggested JJ tubes. I appreciate any and ll advice and recommendations
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#2
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#3
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I don’t think you can go wrong with JJs. These days quality control is good. I definitely would go with ‘hard’ tubes to begin with, rather than something that’s soft and supple to begin with then fail later after a relatively short time. These days some folks are going with a broken-in sound right from new; I wouldn’t.
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#4
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#5
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JJs are good. Their 6v6 tubes are durable enough for a DR, which runs plate voltages well over the tube design’s rated load. Their 12ax7s aren’t bad either.
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#6
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These guys are my go-to:
https://www.thetubestore.com/ BTW I've been using their built-to-order Preferred Series house-brand tubes for the last eight years, and I can't say enough good things about them; although they don't have a 6V6 in their lineup (yet - probably in the works as we speak given their past record) IME you can't go wrong with the 12AX7's and 5AR4, and they stand behind their product with a six-month warranty...
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"Mistaking silence for weakness and contempt for fear is the final, fatal error of a fool" - Sicilian proverb (paraphrased) |
#7
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assuming it is a power tube, i'd just replace the two power tubes only. i've used standard jj tubes as well as the preferred tubes steve mentions. 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 |
#8
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One of my best friends is a crack shot amp repairman specializing in vintage amps. He has huge vintage Fender amp collection, and in that collection he has two tweed Deluxes. He also has a tube stash of NOS tube so in his lifetime he'll probably never have to buy a NOS tube. That said, he has tried many of the newer tubes, and he specifically pointed out that modern Tung Sol 6V6GT tubes really seem to sound good in these circuits, and last pretty long for an import modern tube. I've personally had good luck with Genelex Gold Lion 6V6GT tubes in my vintage and modern amps which include... Vintage: 1950 Chicago Webster, 1961 Ampeg Mercury, 1964 Fender Deluxe Reverb Modern: TopHat Club Deluxe, Victoria Regal II, Ampeg Jet handwired reissue, Frenzel Super Deluxe. The one tube that stood out as a tube that didn't sound right in these amps is the JJ 6V6S tube which sounded more like a 6L6 which is not a sound I like in these amps. |
#9
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I suggest matching specs on tubes.
Ed
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"Quote The Raven, NEVERMORE !" |
#10
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For V1, EHX makes a good 12AY7. I also like their 6V6 for Tweed amps. For the lone 12AX7, whatever floats your boat. Shuguang, JJ, etc all make a decent one.
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"You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great." -Zig Ziglar Acoustics 2013 Guild F30 Standard 2012 Yamaha LL16 2007 Seagull S12 1991 Yairi DY 50 Electrics Epiphone Les Paul Standard Fender Am. Standard Telecaster Gibson ES-335 Gibson Firebird |
#11
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I had Russian made Sovtek, under the Groove Tube moniker in my Blues Jr.: really hard/severe/ heavy duty perhaps designed for space/scientific applications and much criticized on line. Thing is, that pair of EL84s would have lasted for decades but I had to let that amp go just when it started to perform really well. This post is off topic/ folks here know about the Tweed circuit - I don’t. However, its worth to keep in mind back in the 1950s the goal was clean headroom/ breakup was to be avoided.
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#12
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Lots of good suggestions so far, so I will simply add the title would make a great song hook
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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 |
#13
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#14
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No Tubes
I gave up on tubes years ago. Sold all my tube equipment for some really good money. I can't hear enough difference between solid state or digital and tubes to justify the outrageous expense and weight of tube equipment. I am happy with the sound and I will never go back to tubes.
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"My opinion is worth every penny you paid for it." "If you try to play like someone else, Who will play like you". Quote from Johnny Gimble The only musician I have to impress today is the musician I was yesterday. No tubes, No capos, No Problems. |
#15
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Thanks for every bit of information and knowledge shared. Turns out the very old Tung Sol Rectifier tube is the one that’s failing. Over the years he has replaced the pre amp tubes. The other power amp tubes are Tung Sol as well. I suppose I could use the McIntosh tubes in the 30 Watt mono amp if they would fit.
My local guy, Carl Boeman, carries JJ tubes. He likes all except the rectifier, and he has something else.He has been in the business for 40 years at least. Being in Bakersfield, I would see Buck Owens amp I’m for regular service. One member here offered me some of his Ruby Tubes and others. Incredible kindness. I’m in a bit of a bind because I have a gig this Sunday. I will copy and save all the recommendations. Matt PS, regarding solid state, I have a Tech 21 65 Watt that is by far the best sounding SS amp I have ever owned. It kicks butt on the GK stereo guitar amp with 2 small speakers,
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