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Post subject: Silverface Vibrolux Reverb - Tube Replacement
Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 12:06 pm
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Hello,
I am wondering what would be a good complete tube replacement for a Silverface Vibrolux Reverb? There are many brands to choose from and tone is something that I want to keep in mind as this amp is used mainly for playing blues music at local venues..

Thanks
Pooch


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Post subject: Re: Silverface Vibrolux Reverb - Tube Replacement
Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 12:30 pm
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How deep are your pockets?

:mrgreen:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Silverface Vibrolux Reverb - Tube Replacement
Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 12:34 pm
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Haha!! Well it's for a buddy of mine so I will relay info to him... Let's go with the good, better and best method :D


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Post subject: Re: Silverface Vibrolux Reverb - Tube Replacement
Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 1:02 pm
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JMHO...

Best: True NOS RCA 7025, Raytheon 12AX7A, Telsa E83CC (all for the 12AX7's). True NOS Siemens or Valvo E81CC (for the 12AT7's). Black plate RCA 6L6GC. Mullard GZ34.

Medium: Sylvania 12AX7, GE 12AX7. Sylvania 12AT7WA, Philips 12AT7WC. GE 6L6GC or 7581A. Sylvania big bottle 6L6GC. Sylvania or GE 5AR4.

Current: Gold Lion B759/ECC83. JJ 12AX7. Mullard ECC83. EH 6L6GC. Tungsol 6L6GC-STR. Gold Lion U77/GZ34.


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Post subject: Re: Silverface Vibrolux Reverb - Tube Replacement
Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 1:16 pm
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
JMHO...

Best: True NOS RCA 7025, Raytheon 12AX7A, Telsa E83CC (all for the 12AX7's). True NOS Siemens or Valvo E81CC (for the 12AT7's). Black plate RCA 6L6GC. Mullard GZ34.

Medium: Sylvania 12AX7, GE 12AX7. Sylvania 12AT7WA, Philips 12AT7WC. GE 6L6GC or 7581A. Sylvania big bottle 6L6GC. Sylvania or GE 5AR4.

Current: Gold Lion B759/ECC83. JJ 12AX7. Mullard ECC83. EH 6L6GC. Tungsol 6L6GC-STR. Gold Lion U77/GZ34.


Uh......it's a silverface, Steve.

It may take a 5U4GB in the V9 socket (AB568 and newer). If so, there are plenty of vintage NOS rectifiers available that are reasonably priced.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Silverface Vibrolux Reverb - Tube Replacement
Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 1:28 pm
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Yeah the chart inside the amp says 5u4gb 6l6gc 6l6gc 12at7 12ax7 7025 12at7 7025 7025 from left to right..

Is tungsol, electro harmonics, or even jj tubes any good?? The amp has a mix of old peavy RCA and a few that aren't marked...


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Post subject: Re: Silverface Vibrolux Reverb - Tube Replacement
Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 2:16 pm
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I've used Tung-Sol's and Electroharmonix with thus far excellent results. For a Vibrolux, I'd recommend the EH as adequate for the task -- good sounding, reasonably priced, and durable. The T-S STR is a special tube that's generally reserved for Fender's ultra-linear models where plate voltages may exceed 500 VDC. They're great tubes but IMO overkill for a Vibrolux Reverb.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Silverface Vibrolux Reverb - Tube Replacement
Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 2:47 pm
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I think that's what I'll do... Tungsol for the power side of the amp and Electro Harmonics for the pre-amp side.. Would be pretty interesting to see how they work together :idea:


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Post subject: Re: Silverface Vibrolux Reverb - Tube Replacement
Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 3:42 pm
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That might be very nice. I would probably reverse that, TS pre and EH output. Accounting for taste is difficult.

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Post subject: Re: Silverface Vibrolux Reverb - Tube Replacement
Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 3:51 pm
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True... Personally I have seen/heard amps with tungsol in the power side and they work quite well in the older amps..

Ok my next question... When looking at tubes detailed indications 7025 / 12ax7A / 12ax7 / 12at7 these all have indicators and differences as I am reading more and more about them... How detrimental is it to actually stick to the diagram found in the side of the amp vs using an alternate in that location?


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Post subject: Re: Silverface Vibrolux Reverb - Tube Replacement
Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 4:04 pm
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michaelbpuccio wrote:
True... Personally I have seen/heard amps with tungsol in the power side and they work quite well in the older amps..

Ok my next question... When looking at tubes detailed indications 7025 / 12ax7A / 12ax7 / 12at7 these all have indicators and differences as I am reading more and more about them... How detrimental is it to actually stick to the diagram found in the side of the amp vs using an alternate in that location?


Use 12AT7's for those locations specified on the tube chart, with a balanced bottle at V6. For sockets V1 and V2, a 7025 or 12AX7A is preferred (you want tubes with a good S/N ratio there). A 5751 may also be used -- they sound very smooth and organic when used as a 1st/2nd gain stage. Use a quality 12AX7A at V4 for solid reverb performance and low noise. V5 is the least critical of the pre-amp bottles -- any garden-variety-but-decent 12AX7 will do.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Silverface Vibrolux Reverb - Tube Replacement
Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 4:19 pm
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Oops! My 1971 VLR came with a GZ34 (and the tube chart for the GZ34).

Agreed! Get a good NOS 5U4GB.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-NIB-Date-ma ... 27e6c4ff4f


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