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Post subject: dang a drri problem
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:15 pm
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Thankfully I dont have a gig until next weekend .Went to turn the amp on and there was lower volume and it was distorted.Smelled like something was burning. Reached around to take a look and the power tube next to the rectifier was glowing bright red all the way up.The one next to it was glowing normal.Went to shut it off for a few minutes and turned it back on and the tube was glowing normal , but it blew the fuse.I am thinking the power tube is shot.I am thinking about picking up a couple of power tubes and maybe a new rectifier and sticking them in and if all is well bias the tubes and be done with it.Any suggestions will be great.Thanks in advance.PS, i have a meter and I know how to use it.


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Post subject: Re: dang a drri problem
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:26 pm
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Sounds like you are correct, bad output tube. Be sure to check the screen grid resistors, and other components around the output tubes also for signs of damage. Hopefully the fuse blew before anything else was damaged. Pull the output tubes, replace the fuse and make sure that it doesn't blow before installing the new tubes. It is OK to have the amp on with the tubes removed. When installing new output tubes, start with the bias adjustment lowered (all the way down wouldn't hurt), and bring the bias up slowly while watching the test point reading, and watch the output tubes when powering on to make sure that they don't red plate also. :idea:

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Post subject: Re: dang a drri problem
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:32 pm
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Thanks shimmilou, I thought thats what it sounded like.Its been a workhorse for almost a year and a half.Any recommendations for tubes? I am prolly gonna stop by GC and get what they have in stock and order the real tubes online.


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Post subject: Re: dang a drri problem
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:49 pm
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All you'll find at GC is Groove Tubes... don't bother.

If you want the best tone then get you some NOS RCA. For new tubes I would get these

http://thetubestore.com/tungsol6v6.html

I'm using this for rectifier, seems to be holding up...

http://thetubestore.com/teslagz34.html


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Post subject: Re: dang a drri problem
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:56 pm
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I like the GT tubes, and GC sells them. I like the "GT 6V6 S" myself, 8 to 10 rating red label for the clean headroom. If you like more breakup, try the 1 to 3 rating blue labels. The 4 to 7 white labels would be good for overall sound, clean and breakup compromise. Although with the new stickers on the GT tubes, I think that the label colors may be the same so look for the number ratings. If GC doen't have the GTs, Mesa Boogie tubes are good also, and would be similar to the 4 to 7 rating white label GTs, a mid range tube good for overall sound. 8)

P.S.
GC has GTs, Mesa, Tungsol, JJ, Ruby, Mullard, Genalex, Electro Harmonix, Svetlana, Sovteks and all kinds of different tubes to choose from. :)

http://www.guitarcenter.com/New-Gear.gc?internal=1&src=tubes&Search.x=32&Search.y=11&Search=Go

P.P.S.
Thetubestore is also a great place to buy tubes, great people there. I routinely order from them for tubes that GC doesn't carry.

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Post subject: Re: dang a drri problem
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 5:36 pm
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I just bought some jjs from them for my Blues jr.They are very helpful.


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Post subject: Re: dang a drri problem
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 6:54 pm
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Cool, keep us posted if the tubes were the only problem, and your thoughts on the sound of the new tubes. :idea:

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Post subject: Re: dang a drri problem
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 8:38 am
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Well , went to GC and picked up exactly the same power tubes that were in there and stuck them in along with a new fuse.Everything came came up an ran, so my hunch was correct.Havent rebiased them , I dont have a probe.I did talk to the local amp tech who only deals with JJs and NOS.He will sell me some new NOS RCAs for 26 bucks apiece and install them and rebias them for free.I am gonna do that and have him replace the rectifier and preamp tubes while hes at it.


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Post subject: Re: dang a drri problem
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 7:06 pm
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That's a great price for the RCAs, make sure the pair he installs are closely matched.


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Post subject: Re: dang a drri problem
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 8:56 pm
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budglo wrote:
Well , went to GC and picked up exactly the same power tubes that were in there and stuck them in along with a new fuse.Everything came came up an ran, so my hunch was correct.Havent rebiased them , I dont have a probe.I did talk to the local amp tech who only deals with JJs and NOS.He will sell me some new NOS RCAs for 26 bucks apiece and install them and rebias them for free.I am gonna do that and have him replace the rectifier and preamp tubes while hes at it.


what a relief.

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Post subject: Re: dang a drri problem
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 9:07 pm
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I'm glad that's all it was. My DRRI did the same thing when a power tube went bad. It blew fuses and one tube glowed like crazy. Looked like it was about to self-destruct! :shock:

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DRRI


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Post subject: Re: dang a drri problem
Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 9:23 pm
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cedarblues wrote:
That's a great price for the RCAs, make sure the pair he installs are closely matched.


+1!

I'd call it a bargain.

Glad to hear your rig is back in the groove, Bud.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: dang a drri problem
Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2011 4:07 am
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Thanks guys.As someone who troubleshoots electrical systems for a living, I always think burning smell +blown fuse = disaster. This time it was just a blown fuse and a bad tube. I think I am gonna buy a bias probe to be able to check the bias periodically.


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Post subject: Re: dang a drri problem
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 5:30 am
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All electronics are filled with smoke,when a leak develops,well,that's when you see it. :lol:
Seriously,that's a great price for NOS RCAs,you'll love the way they sound.


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Post subject: Re: dang a drri problem
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 9:13 am
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Glad your amp is working again budglo! :)

Rebelsoul,

Any info about the original factory smoke that is put into components is a well guarded industry secret. I have tried for years to figure out how they put the smoke in, with no success. AAMOF, when I ask the factory about how they do it, they just laugh and act like I'm crazy (it's a government conspiracy). But I have noticed that better quality components contain more smoke than cheap ones, but the cheap ones leak more often. :idea:

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