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Post subject: Tube suggestions for Blues Deluxe Reissue
Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 8:16 am
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I have a Blues Deluxe Reissue, and I would like to install some better quality tubes than the stock ones to really bring out the richness of the amp. I've been looking at some of the 6L6s and 12AX7s on vacuumtube.com, but I'm not sure which ones will give me a warm, smooth, creamy overdrive as well as clean tone with a lot of headroom and which ones are just overpriced NOS tubes from the '50s.

I am going to put a Jensen C12K in the amp this week, and I know this will make a big difference, but I really want to make this amp sing. I know it has potential to be a great sounding amp. Any suggestions for some of these tubes to make this amp really sound like the one it's based on or improve the quality of sound significantly?


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Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 8:31 am
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If you can find any NOS GE 6V6 power tubes along with any NOS US or WE preamp and rectifier tubes (I believe the NOS rectifier tube was a GE 5y3), they sound even better and last longer.

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Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 9:00 am
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Probably Miami Mike meant NOS GE 6L6 power tubes.
Although, there are some that prefer the sound of the 6V6 to a 6L6.
But I don't know that the two could be swapped out in this amp.

My preference of power tubes, after some years of trial and error experimenting (mostly error :roll: ), has come down to liking the Groove Tubes that Fender puts in their amps.

I may be the only person alive that likes Groove Tubes - but even so that may be - that's what works best for me for tone, sound and reliability.

The thing I found that really improves an amp is "time". Play that amp constantly for a few months. When everything is settled in and the speaker is broken in - then see how you like it. You may find that it sounds fine, and nothing needs to be replaced. That way you get the sound and don't have to spend the extra money. If not - you can always modify to your hearts content. It's your money - until "they"have it. :D


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Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 1:17 pm
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rholloman wrote:
Probably Miami Mike meant NOS GE 6L6 power tubes.
Although, there are some that prefer the sound of the 6V6 to a 6L6.
But I don't know that the two could be swapped out in this amp.

My preference of power tubes, after some years of trial and error experimenting (mostly error :roll: ), has come down to liking the Groove Tubes that Fender puts in their amps.

I may be the only person alive that likes Groove Tubes - but even so that may be - that's what works best for me for tone, sound and reliability.

The thing I found that really improves an amp is "time". Play that amp constantly for a few months. When everything is settled in and the speaker is broken in - then see how you like it. You may find that it sounds fine, and nothing needs to be replaced. That way you get the sound and don't have to spend the extra money. If not - you can always modify to your hearts content. It's your money - until "they"have it. :D

Couldn't agree more with Rholloman. I still have my Groove Tubes in my BDRI and the richness is already there. Good luck on your search, let us know what you decide. I too have experimented, but realize what I had been searching for was already in my posession.


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Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 1:34 pm
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I have had the amp since March. The speaker is now partially blow and needs replacement, and I can't tell if I have a tube issue right now or not (or if there is another issue). I'm going to see how things sound with the new speaker before I buy any tubes, but I was looking for feedback for new tubes in case I have a problem there, too.

I hope the sound problem is just the speaker, although the amp has fluctuated in volume and completely not put out any sound for extended periods of time since last Wednesday.

I did like the sound of the amp before the speaker went and I hope all the problems are because of that. Any tube help would be greatly appreciated, though.


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Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 1:52 pm
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Hi: I like JJ's, and have installed JJ 6v6s tubes in my BDRI. To my ear they sound great. I'm also looking at installing a 12at7 and 12ay7 in positions v3 and v1 respectively. I think if it's not too expensive and you can learn to bias the amp yourself, it might be interesting to have a collection of both power amp and preamp tubes to dicker with. I guess most people wouldn't want to fiddle constantly with the thing, but it sounds interesting at the moment. Sorry to hear about the speaker problem you're having. Good luck.


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Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 7:14 pm
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Don't want to bash anyone's favorite tubes, but I don't care for Fender's Groove Tubes. I've had nothing but bad luck with them in both my Fenders (a Blues jr. and a Blues Deluxe ReIssue). My preference is Tung Sol 12AX7's for the pre-amp and Tung Sol 5881 power tubes. They break up at ever so slightly less vol. than the stock ones.

At the risk of having the whole fraternity of tube afficiondos come down hard one me, I think that NOS tubes are touted because they're no longer made (elevating the price), not because they're better. But that's just one person's opinion and you know what opinions are like! :shock:

I get my tubes at http://www.thetubestore.com

If you're looking for a 'bigger' (not louder) sound and have $300, I highly recommend the new Hot Rod Deluxe 112 Extension cabinet to match your amp.

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Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 10:08 am
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StuckItToYa wrote:
I have had the amp since March. The speaker is now partially blow and needs replacement, and I can't tell if I have a tube issue right now or not (or if there is another issue). I'm going to see how things sound with the new speaker before I buy any tubes, but I was looking for feedback for new tubes in case I have a problem there, too.

I hope the sound problem is just the speaker, although the amp has fluctuated in volumeand completely not put out any sound for extended periods of time since last Wednesday.

I did like the sound of the amp before the speaker went and I hope all the problems are because of that. Any tube help would be greatly appreciated, though.


The part of your post highlighted in red and especially the part in dark red reminded me of some problems I had with a Blues Junior I had a few years back.

The problems with the BJ was solved by cleaning and tightening the little tube pin holders in the tube sockets and keeping the tubes pushed in and seated. It was amazing how much trouble was caused by the poor connections. Occasionally, after that, a tube would work lose again. And a simple wiggle and/or push into place would fix it again.

It may be worth checking into - and it won't cost you to try - if you're carefull.


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Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:48 pm
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I don't think any of the tubes are loose, but I'll check. What did you use to clean the contacts? I think my tube issue is something to do with the tubes themselves, since I have breakup on the clean channel when I have the volume at 3 or 4. I meant to put this in the above post, but didn't.


It sounds like I am having the same issue as the guy in the other Reissue thread. I personally don't mind Groove Tubes, but am not overly impressed and want something else. I shouldn't have breakup this low, and I would like the amp to not break up much at all unless I kick on the second channel. I am currently using pedals for overdrive on the clean channel, and the gain channel for extra flavor.

I'll be buying a tweed 112 extension cab eventually. I've been putting it off since I first bought the amp because lugging around 112 around isn't feasible for gigs and practice right now.


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Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:51 pm
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That other thread is this one: http://fender.com/community/forums/view ... hp?t=11162


My distorted tube problem sounds similar to his. Sorry about the double post, too - I don't know how to edit the posts on this forum yet.


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Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 5:02 pm
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StuckItToYa wrote:
.... What did you use to clean the contacts? ...


It was electrical "contact cleaner", in a spray can.

An electronics store like Radio Shack should have it.

If you can't find that, some alcohol on a cut down cotton swab (edited for: or a tooth pick with a bit of cotton twisted on the end) should work.

Also cleaning the individual pins on the tubes could help, and wouldn't hurt.
I found this more important with some NOS JAN tubes I tried.

Many of the troubles with tube amps can be traced to the tubes and their connections. Which is one the reasons why solid state came into being.


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Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 5:20 pm
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Also one thing that I haven't seen mentioned is:
If you do replace your power tubes, the two 6L6s, with anything other than the same color groove tubes that came in it - you will need to check the bias, and probably adjust it for whatever tubes you use.

If you are not familiar with this - do a search on a few guitar forums for bias, why to check and adjust it, and of course how to do this on your specific amp.

If you're not comfortable with doing the bias work, you still have a couple of options. one is take the amp to a tech and pay him to do it, and/or, two would be to put the same color groove tubes in yourself leave the bias as it is.

Hope this helps.

Good luck


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