Need new tubes for the amp

Spicy Lauren

its been a while since i was here. hope everyone is going well

ok so im going into studio soon.
Time to change them valves. I've to admit the ones fitted at the moment are still the original ones... I've the amp 4 years and have used it fairly regularly. its a fender blues deluxe reissue. I love my amp. Sounds great although there's a bit of rattling on one of the lamps which i've never managed to get fixed. Had a few sound engineers to have a look at it and the only way we found to reduce the rattling was to use dukt tape but it only slightly reduced the noise, but anyway, im not here to talk about that.

So yeah time to change the tubes. I've never done this before.
just googled the type of amp to find which model of tubes to get and it came out 'two 6L6 output tubes and three 12AX7 preamp tubes'

first question: do I have to change them all?
2nd question: where is the best place to get them?
3rd: where do i bring the amp for someone to do it for me? i dont really want to venture out there on my own. I'll watch though, so i can do it myself next time.

thank u kindly Gentlemen!

Lauren x

Seziertisch

The preamp tubes (12ax7s) you can just unplug and replace with the new ones. The amp will need to be rebiased for the power amp tubes. In terms of where to get tubes the technician you get to do the job will probably be able to provide them for you, though it will probably be cheaper for you to order them yourself. Tubes make a pretty big difference to the sound and there is quite a choice out there. This place gives a little review for each of the different makes of tube http://www.svvintageamps.com/

Otherwise, if you have a few extra quid it might be worth your while to track down some NOS tubes for the preamp section (the very first tube is the most important one). I have used Mullard and RCA and they do sweeten things up quite nicely. There is/was also a new company in Britain, TechTube valves that had started doing a new 12ax7, which unfortunately seems to have gone to the wall. There is/was quite a buzz about the sound of these.

In terms of places to get the power amp tubes changed and the amp rebiased there is a guy, Mark something, I can't think of his second name who comes very highly recommended.

Spicy Lauren

oh wow changing the pre-amp ones sounds like massive surgery. It kind of scares me in case it doesnt go well... Do these have to be changed very often? how often is it recommended to change them? What does rebiased mean exactly?

I didnt even know there were different manufacturers of valves. I just innocently assumed they were made by the amp manufacturer, in this case Fender.

Soooo! Well I guess yeah I do want my amp to sound as well as it possibly can, so i wont mind spending a bit of money on the valves. Which brand or manufacturers should i really look out for?
Lauren

Dord

It's a Hotrod Deluxe isn't it?

If it is, then check out this. They're in the US but even at that they're still one of the cheapest around.

12AX7s are also known as ECC83s. It's just a different naming scheme.

Seziertisch

Spicy Lauren wrote: »

oh wow changing the pre-amp ones sounds like massive surgery. It kind of scares me in case it doesnt go well... Do these have to be changed very often? how often is it recommended to change them? What does rebiased mean exactly?

I didnt even know there were different manufacturers of valves. I just innocently assumed they were made by the amp manufacturer, in this case Fender.

Soooo! Well I guess yeah I do want my amp to sound as well as it possibly can, so i wont mind spending a bit of money on the valves. Which brand or manufacturers should i really look out for?
Lauren

Nope, changing preamp tubes is probably about as challenging as changing a light bulb. In terms of biasing the poweramp tubes, its not a big operation, there is a bias pot somewhere in your amps that will need to be readjusted. This will give you an idea of what it involves and why. http://www.duncanamps.com/technical/lvbias.html

In terms of what you should go for, have a look around online and see what people recommend for your particular amp. NOS (New old stock) preamp tubes might definitely be an idea (even if just to have a few for recording) as preamp tubes last a long time and can be easily experimented with. NOS power amp tubes (the 6l6s in this case) are a bit different. Sometimes they can burn out quite quickly (after costing quite a bit) and they are not something that you can just take in and out as you want (rebiasing). Have a look at what the guy has to say in the link from my first post.

Spicy Lauren

Hey Dord, no its a Blues Deluxe Reissue.

Just found the manual here. It is fitted with 3 12AX7 preamp tubes. It also says 'GT6L6B fender Groove Tubes' whatever that means.

It recommends that I choose the same colour-coded pair of tubes as the original ones otherwise it will need adjustment. Does that mean that if I buy the same colour pair of tubes, the amp wont have to be rebiased?

I'll have a look at what colour the original ones are. Amp not near me right now.
Will revert back when i find out.

thanks ladios x

Seziertisch

The Groove Tubes tubes in Fender amps are colour coded and bias matched allowing you to swap them in and out without rebiasing. These Fender tubes tend to be a bit more expensive so you are not going to make a huge saving on labour. Otherwise, they don't have the best rep soundwise, though in terms of reliability they are supposed to be quite good. That said, I don't think they sound "bad" by any means, just that there is better sounding stuff out there.

In your situation, KT-66 tubes might be worth looking at. They are different from a 6l6 but still compatible. I have not heard but they enjoy quite the rep soundwise, though some brands are considered better than others.

darrenw5094

JJ valves are the business.

www.eurotubes.com

Spicy Lauren

Spicy Lauren wrote: »

It recommends that I choose the same colour-coded pair of tubes as the original ones otherwise it will need adjustment.

right. well i had a look and I didnt really know what to look for...
what is meant to be colour-coded? the text on the lamp or is there meant to be coloured stickers on the valves?

Seziertisch

Spicy Lauren wrote: »

right. well i had a look and I didnt really know what to look for...
what is meant to be colour-coded? the text on the lamp or is there meant to be coloured stickers on the valves?

The writing on the tubes is what they are talking about. The ones you have in there already are probably red.

Spicy Lauren

yes! Red text! Silly me was looking for a coloured sticker :rolleyes:

Organeer

Hi,
The "Mark" someone mentioned is from Aladdin Amps in Tallaght. He is great for repairing all valve amps. He is a guitarist himself so he knows his stuff. Try Googling him. If you only want valves, try Jimi's in Ballymount.

Spicy Lauren

Organeer wrote: »

Hi,
The "Mark" someone mentioned is from Aladdin Amps in Tallaght. He is great for repairing all valve amps. He is a guitarist himself so he knows his stuff. Try Googling him. If you only want valves, try Jimi's in Ballymount.

thank u kindly my good sir