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Post subject: Is it time to replace my tubes? (supersonic)
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 1:11 pm
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Hey long time no post,
So i've owned my supersonic since summer '08.
It was previously used but in great condition, etc...
Now i've been giging more and more.
My question is: should i replace my tubes (all of them?) for the summer.
I'll be playing 4-6 shows a month (sets anywhere from 1h30 to 2h30).
and this isn't considering jam/practice/recording which we'll also be doing.
Do i wait till they die on me OR go ahead and swap them all?
Anything i should consider if i do change them (re-biasing)?
Thanks you!
p.


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Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 1:19 pm
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Just carry a spare set on gigs. Tubes can last for years or even decades. The tubes will let you know when they need changing either by going microphonic usually preamp tubes, or blowing fuses which is usually the power tubes. I wouldn't really worry about it.


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Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 2:23 pm
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63supro wrote:
Just carry a spare set on gigs. Tubes can last for years or even decades. The tubes will let you know when they need changing either by going microphonic usually preamp tubes, or blowing fuses which is usually the power tubes. I wouldn't really worry about it.


+1


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Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:33 pm
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Vulkan wrote:
63supro wrote:
Just carry a spare set on gigs. Tubes can last for years or even decades. The tubes will let you know when they need changing either by going microphonic usually preamp tubes, or blowing fuses which is usually the power tubes. I wouldn't really worry about it.


+1


+2


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Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 7:39 am
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You may want to purchase some tubes and fuses as backups since you gig. You wouldn't want to blow one during a show and not be able to finish

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Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 8:23 am
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+! whats been said.
Just carry some spares for each tube type in the amp & spare pairs for the power tubes in your kit box.

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Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 10:26 am
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Sometimes a power tube will cause other damage when it goes bad. It is best to change them and keep the old tubes as spares. I have seen many times when a tube has caused damage even tho they are fused. In any case if a fuse blows you should never re-fuse without changing the bad tube or tubes first. Many problems are caused by just trying to change fuses. I would rather be safe than sorry.

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Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 10:52 am
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Cap47 wrote:
Sometimes a power tube will cause other damage when it goes bad. It is best to change them and keep the old tubes as spares. I have seen many times when a tube has caused damage even tho they are fused. In any case if a fuse blows you should never re-fuse without changing the bad tube or tubes first. Many problems are caused by just trying to change fuses. I would rather be safe than sorry.


I have to agree with this, and a Mesa tech once told me the same thing. He said to change your tubes every two years regardless of if there is a failure. He said a tube can damage other parts of the amp when they go. Luckily for me, the fuse blew, I put in a new one, it blew immediately, and I knew something was wrong. Then I changed all power tubes and it has not blown a fuse or tube since. That was almost 9 years ago :shock: The amp still sounds good and I can't get new Mesa STR420's anymore. i hate to change them.

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Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:44 am
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Yep it sure can. It depends on the amps design and the quality and value of the components. Losing screen resistors seems to happen a bit.


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