Power tubes?? Who, What, When Where how?? - Page 54

MM54 · 11-09-2010, 06:37 PM

Not really, just be careful when you put it in to line up the pins right and it should work fine though.

cagamp1 · 11-09-2010, 07:05 PM

Now I'm thinkin I want to try a set of them NOS Tung-Sol 5881's too. I keep hearing about them. I also want to try 7581's. Anyone had a listen to those?

RiverRatt · 11-09-2010, 07:06 PM

I was just thinking if you could remove the base from an old tube and get the pins out of it, then cut the sides off so you have a flat base with the guide pin attached, it should slide over the other tube's pins and line up fine. Maybe tack it on with a little super glue.

RiverRatt · 11-09-2010, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cagamp1

Now I'm thinkin I want to try a set of them NOS Tung-Sol 5881's too. I keep hearing about them. I also want to try 7581's. Anyone had a listen to those?

They are definitely NOT the same as a 6L6GC tone-wise. I want to see what a pair of them can do. I'm hoping the eBay tube will match up close enough to the one I have that I can use them in one of my 6L6 amps. I've never used a 7581.

MartyStrat54 · 11-09-2010, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiverRatt

I just snagged another Tung-Sol 5881 off the 'bay for $17 shipped. It tests good but has a broken guide pin. Any way to replace those?

It amazes me how many power tubes are sold with broken index pins. It makes me stop and wonder how the rest of the tube has been treated.

I have fixed a few where I was given the broken index pin. Without it, there isn't anything you can really do.

cagamp1 · 11-09-2010, 07:16 PM

Antique Electronic supply sells a nice little replacement guide pin that slides on over the metal pins.

Antique Electronic Supply

Its located under Vacumm Tube Accesories / Adapters.

RiverRatt · 11-09-2010, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cagamp1

Antique Electronic supply sells a nice little replacement guide pin that slides on over the metal pins.

Antique Electronic Supply

Its located under Vacumm Tube Accesories / Adapters.

That's exactly what I was talking about! I'm always a day late an a dollar short.

MartyStrat54 · 11-09-2010, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cagamp1

Antique Electronic supply sells a nice little replacement guide pin that slides on over the metal pins.

Antique Electronic Supply

Its located under Vacumm Tube Accesories / Adapters.

Good call on that. I had forgotten about it. Nowadays, when one thing goes in my brain, one thing must come out.

cagamp1 · 11-09-2010, 10:57 PM

I actually need some...maybe on my next order.

thetragichero · 11-10-2010, 12:50 AM

got a few choice tubes from alan that should be here tomorrow to try in the picovalve... can't wait!

RiverRatt · 11-10-2010, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thetragichero

got a few choice tubes from alan that should be here tomorrow to try in the picovalve... can't wait!

Yeah, I hope they work out for you. I think I'm sending my Pico back. It just isn't what I had thought it would be. It's too picky about tubes and frankly doesn't sound very good IMO unless you use something close to a 6L6. I complained about it to the guys at Jet City and they thought I might not appreciate the subtleties of a Class A amp. The only way this amp sounds good is balls-out gain and I just don't need a head like that. I'm thinking I might try their JCA20H Soldano-design or maybe a Blackstar.

thetragichero · 11-10-2010, 12:14 PM

from what i've read on this forum, that blackstar ht-5 is pretty rad

solarburnDSL50 · 11-10-2010, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiverRatt

Yeah, I hope they work out for you. I think I'm sending my Pico back. It just isn't what I had thought it would be. It's too picky about tubes and frankly doesn't sound very good IMO unless you use something close to a 6L6. I complained about it to the guys at Jet City and they thought I might not appreciate the subtleties of a Class A amp. The only way this amp sounds good is balls-out gain and I just don't need a head like that. I'm thinking I might try their JCA20H Soldano-design or maybe a Blackstar.

They been get'n good player reviews on HC. Jet City offers them on their website with mods already on them too. Anywhere from loops to circuit tweeks if you are into certain modder's sounds. Not that you have to have a modded one. They just have those tweeks if you're into it. I wouldn't mind getting their 50 watter especially at the price it is but man I really want a plexi circuit amp...

From the sounds of it regarding the PV I'd send it back too. Its not do'n it for you and I don't F' around with amps any more once I've taken them through their paces either.

JetPacks - Jet City Amplification

johnfv · 11-13-2010, 04:13 PM

I'd be curious to hear impressions of the Blackstar amps. I agree the Pico does not seem as flexible with power tubes as they would lead you to believe but for me it does a great high gain tone at low volume - currently seeing more action than any other amp I have. The JCA20H has an excellent EL-84 "bark" but you may want to play with the preamp tubes to get more headroom; it is pretty high gain stock. I took it over to a friend for some recording and it sounded so good he won't give it back

RiverRatt · 11-13-2010, 06:53 PM

I don't know what I'll do. What I really need is a mid-powered head or combo that's portable and goes from clean to blues to crunch. I've got that 1966 2x12 Marshall cab that would be perfect for a smaller head. I'm still eyeing that Ceriatone 1974 TMB clone, but I may just sit on the cash for awhile and check out one of those Blackstar HT20s my friend is carrying now. I guess it's better to wait until I find something I can't live without.

MartyStrat54 · 11-15-2010, 09:12 PM

JCMJMP is knowledgeable and picky. He got a Blackstar 20 and is very happy with it.

RiverRatt · 11-15-2010, 11:43 PM

Yeah, I've got to try one of those first-hand as soon as I can get to the store again. I never seem to have much free time these days.

Here's my new toy. It's a pretty close match for my other Tung-Sol. If I can get past this guide pin thing without frying my Ampeg, I'm looking forward to this test.

MartyStrat54 · 11-16-2010, 09:51 PM

Personally, I've never broken a guide pin. It seems you would have to be sort of an oaf to break one.

MM54 · 11-16-2010, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartyStrat54

Personally, I've never broken a guide pin. It seems you would have to be sort of an oaf to break one.

I was thinking the same thing, if the pin got snapped off, it makes you wonder how the rest of the tube was treated

Then again, the only time I've seen it happen, I took a 5U4 out of its socket for the first time in probably 25 years, the pin just stayed in there, and that wasn't abusive to the tube at all.

thetragichero · 11-16-2010, 11:08 PM

i bet he broke it off in the picovalve
i know i have

on tubier note, the high-testing, matched 6v6s (nos tung sol) i just put in the 5e3 sound worse than the unmatched tubes (nos rca) i had in there before (unappealing distortion sound on every single note)
is this a tube issue i should bring up to the seller, or is it too much juice?

DirtySteve · 11-17-2010, 10:46 AM

What are the effects of humidity on tube amps? I have 2 Class 5 amps and they both sound equally like shit the last several days!

I'm at a loss... They are lifeless with little sustain and and they lost all their umph and just sound brittle and weak!

The apartment I live in has crappy insulation. I have one of those humidity tester things and the humidity went from between 60 - about 67% all summer, down to about 30 - 35% in the last few weeks and then yesterday it was back up to around 60% again. That’s inside, not outside! I know humidity effects guitars. All of my guitars need a truss rod adjustments, but how does it effect tubes?

Both amps are set up the same with the exception of preamp tubes.

solarburnDSL50 · 11-17-2010, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirtySteve

What are the effects of humidity on tube amps? I have 2 Class 5 amps and they both sound equally like shit the last several days!

I'm at a loss... They are lifeless with little sustain and and they lost all their umph and just sound brittle and weak!

The apartment I live in has crappy insulation. I have one of those humidity tester things and the humidity went from between 60 - about 67% all summer, down to about 30 - 35% in the last few weeks and then yesterday it was back up to around 60% again. That’s inside, not outside! I know humidity effects guitars. All of my guitars need a truss rod adjustments, but how does it effect tubes?

Both amps are set up the same with the exception of preamp tubes.

Do a tube check/change on one of them to see if it changes for the better. Hopefully you have some known good spares around to pop in and see...Then I'd consider other things.

cagamp1 · 11-17-2010, 11:10 AM

DirtySteve
Humidity won't do anything to your tubes. Unless you leave them outside on the back patio.

I lived in Louisiana for 40 years...humidity 60-100% all the time outside.

You have a common problem with something that you may be connecting to both amps.
Figure out what that may be. ie: wall socket, power strip, speaker cable or cab connections...

DirtySteve · 11-17-2010, 11:43 AM

They are plugged into the same power strip and I'm using the same guitar cables and all. I'll look at those things. I guess with the change in the weather lately my mind went straight to that and I forgot all my basic troublesooting skills. Thanks!

cagamp1 · 11-17-2010, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirtySteve

They are plugged into the same power strip and I'm using the same guitar cables and all. I'll look at those things. I guess with the change in the weather lately my mind went straight to that and I forgot all my basic troublesooting skills. Thanks!

Yes, and humidity can play a factor there.

Maybe one day I might create a tech thread on interconnect...the most overlooked and misunderstood piece of gear.

RiverRatt · 11-17-2010, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartyStrat54

Personally, I've never broken a guide pin. It seems you would have to be sort of an oaf to break one.

I broke one on a big RCA 5R4 rectifier once, and it was in a new ceramic socket. Like TTH said, the PicoValve was horrible about this when changing tubes and it had tight ceramic sockets as well. All you can do is work the tube back and forth until it comes out. I was doing this when the pin broke, and I didn't feel particularly oafish when it happened. I was pissed off, though.

I won't use ceramic octal sockets any more. Triode Electronics has some nice micanol octal sockets that are a lot more tube-friendly.

MartyStrat54 · 11-17-2010, 07:11 PM

I prefer the micanol. Some people have actually cracked a 12XX7 tube in a ceramic socket putting in the tube.

thetragichero · 11-17-2010, 07:21 PM

yeah i have those triode electronic sockets in my 5e3... they're WONDERFUL

RiverRatt · 11-17-2010, 08:22 PM

AAARRRGGGHHH! I've had two amps take a shit on me in the last 2 days. I got that old Harmony working and was going to sell it and then the tremolo quit working. Now, I just put the Tung-Sol 5881's in the Ampeg and fired it up and I think one of those 40-year-old caps bit the dust. I've been noticing a lack of tone and volume and foolishly ignored it. Now the volume has dropped to nearly nothing and it's motorboating and tailing off into static and pops. The only tube I can't replace is the 7199. I've tried everything else. I guess I'm going to have to open it up and try to find a replacement for the damned things. It doesn't have cans, just the big orange ones that look like dynamite or something.

MartyStrat54 · 11-17-2010, 08:28 PM

I guess this post belongs over in, "Do I Really Need To Change My Caps?"

11-09-2010, 06:37 PM	#1591 (permalink)
MM54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Erie, PA Posts: 7,779	Re: Power tubes?? Who, What, When Where how?? Not really, just be careful when you put it in to line up the pins right and it should work fine though. __________________ -Matt If you don't understand what I'm saying, assume I'm making a joke. Trust me. Lachesky Amplifiers - Home of the CA10 Orders for 2013 CA10s are now being accepted! "... And I come from a place where they drag your hopes through the mud because their own dreams are all dying"

11-09-2010, 07:05 PM	#1592 (permalink)
cagamp1 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 667	Re: Power tubes?? Who, What, When Where how?? Now I'm thinkin I want to try a set of them NOS Tung-Sol 5881's too. I keep hearing about them. I also want to try 7581's. Anyone had a listen to those?

11-09-2010, 07:16 PM	#1596 (permalink)
cagamp1 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 667	Re: Power tubes?? Who, What, When Where how?? Antique Electronic supply sells a nice little replacement guide pin that slides on over the metal pins. Antique Electronic Supply Its located under Vacumm Tube Accesories / Adapters.

11-09-2010, 10:57 PM	#1599 (permalink)
cagamp1 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 667	Re: Power tubes?? Who, What, When Where how?? I actually need some...maybe on my next order.

11-13-2010, 04:13 PM	#1604 (permalink)
johnfv Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Austin TX Posts: 2,097	Re: Power tubes?? Who, What, When Where how?? I'd be curious to hear impressions of the Blackstar amps. I agree the Pico does not seem as flexible with power tubes as they would lead you to believe but for me it does a great high gain tone at low volume - currently seeing more action than any other amp I have. The JCA20H has an excellent EL-84 "bark" but you may want to play with the preamp tubes to get more headroom; it is pretty high gain stock. I took it over to a friend for some recording and it sounded so good he won't give it back __________________ My Amps: Marshall: '68 Plexi Super Tremolo 100, Class 5 head; Fender '65 blackface Showman, early 80s HiWatt 50, early 90s Dual Rectifier, Ceriatone: 18W TMB, 2204 HW, DZ30; Jet City: JCA20H and Pico Valve; Egnater Tweaker. Various Marshall and other cabs: 4x12, 2x12, 1x12 My Strats: early 80s '62 re-issue, '87 Strat plus, '10 EJ maple neck; Multiple Warmoth partscasters; Gibson: '08 Firebird V, '11 SG, '66 Melody Maker, '81 ES-347; various other guitars

Today
Marshall Amps	Sponsored Links __________________ This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on Marshall Amp Forum

11-15-2010, 09:12 PM	#1606 (permalink)
MartyStrat54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Now in Muskogee, by Tulsa Posts: 18,277	Re: Power tubes?? Who, What, When Where how?? JCMJMP is knowledgeable and picky. He got a Blackstar 20 and is very happy with it. __________________ MARTY MARTIMUS MAXIMUS ONLINE TUBES AND OTHER STUFFHyperlink Wilder modded JCM 2204 (Sold my JMP to Joe.). Many other amps. Strats and Explorer are my main guitars.

11-16-2010, 09:51 PM	#1608 (permalink)
MartyStrat54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Now in Muskogee, by Tulsa Posts: 18,277	Re: Power tubes?? Who, What, When Where how?? Personally, I've never broken a guide pin. It seems you would have to be sort of an oaf to break one. __________________ MARTY MARTIMUS MAXIMUS ONLINE TUBES AND OTHER STUFFHyperlink Wilder modded JCM 2204 (Sold my JMP to Joe.). Many other amps. Strats and Explorer are my main guitars.

11-17-2010, 10:46 AM	#1611 (permalink)
DirtySteve Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeland FL Posts: 6,617	Re: Power tubes?? Who, What, When Where how?? What are the effects of humidity on tube amps? I have 2 Class 5 amps and they both sound equally like shit the last several days! I'm at a loss... They are lifeless with little sustain and and they lost all their umph and just sound brittle and weak! The apartment I live in has crappy insulation. I have one of those humidity tester things and the humidity went from between 60 - about 67% all summer, down to about 30 - 35% in the last few weeks and then yesterday it was back up to around 60% again. That’s inside, not outside! I know humidity effects guitars. All of my guitars need a truss rod adjustments, but how does it effect tubes? Both amps are set up the same with the exception of preamp tubes.

11-17-2010, 11:10 AM	#1613 (permalink)
cagamp1 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 667	Re: Power tubes?? Who, What, When Where how?? DirtySteve Humidity won't do anything to your tubes. Unless you leave them outside on the back patio. I lived in Louisiana for 40 years...humidity 60-100% all the time outside. You have a common problem with something that you may be connecting to both amps. Figure out what that may be. ie: wall socket, power strip, speaker cable or cab connections...

11-17-2010, 11:43 AM	#1614 (permalink)
DirtySteve Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeland FL Posts: 6,617	Re: Power tubes?? Who, What, When Where how?? They are plugged into the same power strip and I'm using the same guitar cables and all. I'll look at those things. I guess with the change in the weather lately my mind went straight to that and I forgot all my basic troublesooting skills. Thanks!

11-17-2010, 07:11 PM	#1617 (permalink)
MartyStrat54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Now in Muskogee, by Tulsa Posts: 18,277	Re: Power tubes?? Who, What, When Where how?? I prefer the micanol. Some people have actually cracked a 12XX7 tube in a ceramic socket putting in the tube. __________________ MARTY MARTIMUS MAXIMUS ONLINE TUBES AND OTHER STUFFHyperlink Wilder modded JCM 2204 (Sold my JMP to Joe.). Many other amps. Strats and Explorer are my main guitars.

11-17-2010, 08:28 PM	#1620 (permalink)
MartyStrat54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Now in Muskogee, by Tulsa Posts: 18,277	Re: Power tubes?? Who, What, When Where how?? I guess this post belongs over in, "Do I Really Need To Change My Caps?" __________________ MARTY MARTIMUS MAXIMUS ONLINE TUBES AND OTHER STUFFHyperlink Wilder modded JCM 2204 (Sold my JMP to Joe.). Many other amps. Strats and Explorer are my main guitars.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode