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Post subject: Replacement tube suggestions?
Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 8:30 pm
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I don't know what I am doing but I am sure someone does. I am seeking input regarding the replacment of my power and pre-amp tubes in my DeVille 212. Any tips would be appreciated, especially on where to buy them. Thanks so much.


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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 10:52 pm
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Hi Fatoldsun,

Do you like the sound that you have now, or want something different? There are so many types and brands to use, depending on whether you want early breakup, clean headroom or something in between. Is your amp the Blues Deville or Hot Rod Deville? The original output tubes may be the "colored label" Groove Tubes. The blue for early breakup, white for mid range, and red for clean headroom. With any new output tubes, you should check the bias to make sure it is set properly for each particular set. New preamp tubes do not require any bias adjustment. I prefer Groove Tubes myself. I think that they are worth the extra money.

Read about Groove Tubes here.

http://www.groovetubes.com/main.html

I get mine at guitar center.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/New-Gear.gc?internal=1&src=Groove+Tubes&Search.x=39&Search.y=7&Search=Go

Eurotubes also has some nice tubes and tube sets that are very inexpensive. Choose Hot Rod Deville or Blues Deville.

https://ssl.eurotubes.com/cart/index.php?page=view_submenu&category_id=7

Also TheTubeStore for more variety.

http://thetubestore.com/

The Eurotubes and TheTubeStore sites have a lot of great info about tubes, TheTubeStore site even has their own in depth reviews of many types of tubes. You may want to check out the sites and read up on the different types of tubes and the sound that you might like. :)

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Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 3:54 am
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On top of the global picture given by Shimmilou here is my stock that I'm confortable with on my BDRI (not far away from HRD).

Power valves:
6L6GC Sovteck 5881 --> appreciated
6L6GC JJ on arrival --> tested as creamy
Winged C forecasted --> tested as favorite

Double Noval triodes:
EH 12ax7
ECC803 JJ (not tested yet)
ECC83 JJ (one is balanced triodes in case I've to change the PI stage) --> Airly sound
Mullard 12ax7 new production (on arrival)
Tung-Sol 12ax7 new production (on arrival)
JJ ECC81
Mesa boogie spax7 --> very low noise and cristal
Siemens 12ax7 (original from production 1980 but not a collector)
V1 is the valve that makes the main color f the sound. It recommanded to have matched triodes for V3 even if it is not mentionned on Fender drawings.

(I've also 2 EL84 JJ for my Vox)

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Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 6:10 am
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Thank you Simmilou Tissan: I should have mentioned I have a Hot Rod DeVille. All of the tubes Groove Tubes and have Fender written on them. The larger ones (GT6L6B) have Groove Tube written in white or cream color. The smaller tubes have red writting. I do like the sound I have now so I think I will look for tubes that match the ones in there as close as possible. Again, I am struggling through this so thanks for your patience but od the ones on the market, which ones closely match these. I like Guitar Center so thanks for that tip. I really appreciate everyone's help.


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Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 7:25 am
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These are probably what you have in there now for output tubes (first link below). If possible, with the amp turned off and tubes cool, pull one of your output tubes and look for another label (not the white Fender GT label) on the tube in black writing. If the black writing says "5881WXT Sovtek" then these are likely the ones that you have. Select "Medium 4-7 GT Rating" for the white labels mid range, "Low 1-3 GT Rating" for the blue early breakup, and "High 8-10 GT Rating" for red high headroom. Just push the chrome looking output tube retainers towards the chassis a little bit, and carefully pull the tube with a very slight circular motion until it clears. Try to grasp the tube at the base instead of the glass. When reinstalling, no need to hold the tube retainer out of the way, just line up the notch on the tube base with the slot in the socket and push in with a slight circular motion until firmly seated.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Groove-Tubes-Gold-Series-GT-6L6-R-Matched-Power-Tubes-105811988-i1125717.gc

Your preamp tubes are the probably the same as far as the lettering on the tubes, look at each one closely for the original label. You likely have "12AX7WA Sovtek", or "12AX7WC Sovtek" like these.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/New-Gear.gc?internal=1&src=Sovtek+12AX7&Search.x=35&Search.y=13&Search=Go

:)

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Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 7:51 am
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Thank you so much shimmilou. That really helps. Are bias adjustments best left to a qualified/experienced tech or is it easy to do it yourself?


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Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 8:12 am
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Power valves have to be bias properly. It's quite easy even for non skilled electroniciant.
Other valves (12ax7) are self biased then nothing to do;
Please follow this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19IUadZJf-c
This biasing is conventional.

Take care, valves are working with high voltages that can be fatal to human.

8) 8) 8) 8)

You can use Grooves tubes or other brands no issues too.

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Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 8:16 am
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No problem Fatoldsun, especially for a fellow Hot Rod owner. I have HRDvl 4x10, same amp as your HRDvl 2x12, but only with different speakers and output transformer. I also have a HRDlx 1x12 40 watts which is also a great amp. The bias adjustment is very easy, if you are handy with a volt meter, can read schematics, and are aware of the hazards of working under the hood with lethal voltages. If any of this makes you uncomfortable, or if you don't have a meter, I would let an amp tech do it for you. For someone that is experienced, it is a very simple job that would take fifteen to thirty minutes to do properly. You might check to see if your local GC has anyone that can do the bias adjust for you if you buy tubes from them. Many shops will adjust the bias for you for little-to-no cost if you buy a new set of tubes from them. Let us know what your experience is like if you decide to get new tubes. :)

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Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 8:37 am
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You all are great. I really appreciate all the input and support. I will do my best to give back to this forum and will let you know how it all turns out.


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Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 5:34 pm
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If you really want to mod out the tone of your amp with a tube change try Yellow Jackets, www.yellowjacketstc.com they are converters that let you use EL84/6BQ5 tubes in sockets that are being used for 6V6,6L6,EL34 and 7591 tubes.That would give you a noticeable change in tone.

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Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 6:53 pm
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One last question...what would I gain (or lose) by using Groove Tube gold Series GT12AX7-C instead of using the Sovtek 12AX7-WA pre-amp tubes, beside the GT's costing more. Tone difference?


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Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 7:47 pm
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The GT12AX7-C is the Chinese version, which will give you a warmer, and more driven smooth tone, not as aggressive as the WC. The WA will be much cleaner sounding than the other two. So, if you want the tone as clean as possible, between those three choices, the WA would be the one to get. I have a few of the C tubes, and I've tried them in all positions of a few of my amps, and they generally made the sound warmer, looser sounding, with a little less output volume than either the WA or WC. Some call the C a "more bluesy" sound, and compare it to a Mullard tube. If you find that your sound is a little too strident, the C tube will loosen it up a bit. I like the WA in all three spots in my HRDlx (1x12), but I like the WC better in all three spots in the HRDvl (4x10) and the BJr (1x12). I use the red label output tubes for very clean sound, and the WCs in the HRDvl and BJr give them a little bit more edgy sound when the input is pushed harder with pedals. :idea:

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Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 8:00 pm
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I've purchased twice from www.dougstubes.com. Phone Doug, tell him the type of tone you like, and he will make recommendations for you.


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Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 7:50 am
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Tung sol 12ax7 reissues are good for modern amps


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Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 3:58 pm
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JJ's from Eurotubes. I cannot say this strongly enough. They woke up my HRDx like nobody's business.

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