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Post subject: New To Tubes
Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 1:53 pm
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I recently purchased a Blues Jr. Long story short, I returned it and am anxiously awaiting my Blues Jr NOS Tweed!

This is my first tube amp. I normally play at home with low to middle low volume (low enough that my wife doesn't kick me out of the house, but loud enough that she has to shut the door to watch TV). I jam with a garage band every saturday.

What would the expected life be of the tubes? Are all tubes replaced at the same time?

I know there are many variable, but I am just looking for a rough estimate.

Also, are there any "new" tube amp things I should look out for, do or not do, right out of the box?

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Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 2:16 pm
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Welcome to the blues junior club they are decent amps and a good value,anyhow the preamp tubes can be changed individually as needed and the power tubes ideally should be changed as a matched set,and as long as you stay with el84`s you do not need to rebias your amp. You also can try differant nine pin preamp tubes in the v1 and v2 sockets.Tubes like you mentioned have so many variables as to how long they will last, two of the precautions to take are let the tubes warm up for a minute or two before you start playing and let them cool down before you start toting your amp around.Here in Minnesota you need to let the amp acclimate to room temp. if you bring it in from the cold, welll thats any where its`s cold. Enjoy your new amp.


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Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 2:26 pm
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I've been playing primarily tube amps since the mid 60's. Tubes can last minutes or decades. There's no real rule of thumb. I have some preamp tubes that are well over 20 years old. The Groove Tubes power tubes in my HRDlx only lasted a few weeks. Power tubes should be replaced in matched pairs unless you only have one in your amp. Preamp tubes can go microphonic any time or never. The only rule of thumb is if you gig, have a spare set of tubes. If you change the power tubes you need to have the bias checked unless your amp is a cathode bias design. Even then it doesn't hurt to check it.

Also about 90% of tube amps problems come from the tubes so never panic unless you let out the magic smoke.

Some people say to replace them every year. It's a waste unless you hear a problem like power loss, ringing, rattling or strange crackling sounds. The amp and your ears will let you know. Current production tubes seem to be not as robust as tubes from the 50's, 60's and even the 70's.


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Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 4:23 pm
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63supro wrote:
Also about 90% of tube amps problems come from the tubes so never panic unless you let out the magic smoke.


+100

Very sound advice.

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Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 4:45 pm
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The best thing you could do is order a set of replacement JJ tubes. This series of amps sounds their best with JJ's in. The stock Groove Tubes are very sour and 'ice-picky'.

Congrats and enjoy!

CC

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Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 5:04 pm
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My favorite tubes are JAN Phillips.Especially of the 6l6 variety, but Supros right, they can last a long time or no time at all.


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Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 5:07 pm
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My favorite tubes are JAN Phillips.Especially of the 6l6 variety, but Supros right, they can last a long time or no time at all.


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Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 9:04 pm
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Celtic Cyclonus wrote:
The best thing you could do is order a set of replacement JJ tubes. This series of amps sounds their best with JJ's in. The stock Groove Tubes are very sour and 'ice-picky'.

Congrats and enjoy!

CC


So those are the power tubes then...what is a good source for tubes?

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Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 9:45 pm
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I am in 100% agreement with 63supro.

I would only add that the small-bottle EL34/6BQ5 (used in your amp) is, relative to 6L6s or 6V6s, a "hot-running" output tube. This shortens its service life significantly and it doesn't seem to matter whether the tube is a new JJ or an NOS JAN from the '60s. You'd be wise to keep a extra matched pair handy.

HTH

Arjay


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Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 2:09 am
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markara wrote:
Celtic Cyclonus wrote:
The best thing you could do is order a set of replacement JJ tubes. This series of amps sounds their best with JJ's in. The stock Groove Tubes are very sour and 'ice-picky'.

Congrats and enjoy!

CC


So those are the power tubes then...what is a good source for tubes?


Google Eurotubes my friend, Bob there does sets for each amp and deals in JJ's only. Here in the U.K. I get them from Hot-Rox U.K.

CC

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Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 5:17 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
I am in 100% agreement with 63supro.

I would only add that the small-bottle EL34/6BQ5 (used in your amp) is, relative to 6L6s or 6V6s, a "hot-running" output tube. This shortens its service life significantly and it doesn't seem to matter whether the tube is a new JJ or an NOS JAN from the '60s. You'd be wise to keep a extra matched pair handy.

HTH

Arjay


Also I've found EL34 and EL84's are also really prone to tube rattle in combos. They do run really hot. Even more than 6L6 and 6V6 power tubes.

I really like the NOS JAN Phillips tubes. JJ's are also a favorite of mine.


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Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 7:25 am
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I learned something new today since when did fender start putting el34`s in their Blues juniors. (not).


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Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 10:32 am
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That's why I chuckle every time someone says the Blues Jr or Pro Jr has "That Classic Fender Sound". It's not, in any way shape of form. LOL

They use EL84's not EL34's. If they used EL34's they'd get roughly 45 watts or so from a pair.


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Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 3:53 pm
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63supro wrote:
Also I've found EL34 and EL84's are also really prone to tube rattle in combos. They do run really hot. Even more than 6L6 and 6V6 power tubes.


Decades ago during my formative "garage band" years, my buddy had an old MIJ Guyatone (clone of a Fender) with a pair of EL84s and those tube elements shook like a chihuahua sh*tting a peach pit. I swear it made the devil's own noise. I think that's where my distrust of them came from.


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Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 10:10 pm
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:lol:


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