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Post subject: Replacement Tube Suggestions
Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2012 9:32 am
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I've got a late 80s red knob dual showman which I believe has the original tubes. Tubes consist of four 6L6-GC's, four 7025's, and one 12AT7. I'm guessing the time to replace them is long overdue. Any suggestions on where to start browsing? Any suggestions on tube type? I think I would probably avoid the high-end (most expensive) brands but I don't want to go cheap either.

Thanks for any and all assistance.


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Post subject: Re: Replacement Tube Suggestions
Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2012 9:53 am
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I'd start with a matched quad of EHX power tubes.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Replacement Tube Suggestions
Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2012 10:32 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
I'd start with a matched quad of EHX power tubes.

Arjay


Thanks Arjay. Any reason for EHX over other brands like JJ, Tung-Sol, Sovtek, etc? Have you had good luck with EHX?

I've been browsing on thetubestore website. Are there other recommendations for shopping?


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Post subject: Re: Replacement Tube Suggestions
Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2012 11:41 am
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They sound good, they seem durable (thus far), and they're reasonably priced.

And yes......I'm currently using some (but no, I have no affiliation with the company).

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Replacement Tube Suggestions
Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2012 2:00 pm
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dshalfstack...Not try to contradict Arjay here, but give you another choice...here is a place I have used and they are great. New tubes and NOS as well and decent prices. I would recommend a quartet of thier Tube Amp Doctor (TAD) 6L6's, I am using some in my '84 Concert and love them, I had forgotten just how good this amp could sound. Highly recommended tube.

Here is a link.
http://www.kcanostubes.com/content/tad- ... r-quartets

These guys at the link above were great, and got my order out quick and had some good prices on NOS tubes too!

FWIW

T2

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Post subject: Re: Replacement Tube Suggestions
Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 4:14 am
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T2Stratman wrote:
dshalfstack...Not try to contradict Arjay here, but give you another choice...here is a place I have used and they are great. New tubes and NOS as well and decent prices. I would recommend a quartet of thier Tube Amp Doctor (TAD) 6L6's, I am using some in my '84 Concert and love them, I had forgotten just how good this amp could sound. Highly recommended tube.

Here is a link.
http://www.kcanostubes.com/content/tad- ... r-quartets

These guys at the link above were great, and got my order out quick and had some good prices on NOS tubes too!

FWIW

T2


Thanks for the link T2. I'm curious, what is the difference between 6L6 GC and 6L6 WGC?


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Post subject: Re: Replacement Tube Suggestions
Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 4:31 am
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Do not replace tubes without a bias check and adjustment.


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Post subject: Re: Replacement Tube Suggestions
Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 4:45 am
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stratele52 wrote:
Do not replace tubes without a bias check and adjustment.


Yes, you're correct. The amp has test ports for bias and balance with adjusters for each. According to the manual, should be easy.


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Post subject: Re: Replacement Tube Suggestions
Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 8:51 am
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dshalfstack wrote:
T2Stratman wrote:
dshalfstack...Not try to contradict Arjay here, but give you another choice...here is a place I have used and they are great. New tubes and NOS as well and decent prices. I would recommend a quartet of thier Tube Amp Doctor (TAD) 6L6's, I am using some in my '84 Concert and love them, I had forgotten just how good this amp could sound. Highly recommended tube.

Here is a link.
http://www.kcanostubes.com/content/tad- ... r-quartets

These guys at the link above were great, and got my order out quick and had some good prices on NOS tubes too!

FWIW

T2


Thanks for the link T2. I'm curious, what is the difference between 6L6 GC and 6L6 WGC?


I used the short bottles, just because they were very similar to the JAN 6L6WGB Phillips I had in my Concert. But from what I read...Warm, full bodied sound that gets better as your turn up the volume for the 6L6GC...Classic Vintage Tone. Warm cleans, rich mids, deep lows detailed and musical, full bodied tone for the 6L6WGC.

T2

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Post subject: Re: Replacement Tube Suggestions
Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 9:44 am
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I've used the taller TADs in my SR and loved them!

http://thetubestore.com/tad6l6gc.html

"The new 6L6 GC-STR has a tight low end and has all the guts and bite to perfectly accomplish all the rocking sounds from SRV to modern NU-Metal. They have powerful deep bass and a clear, airy top end."

That is a very accurate description.


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Post subject: Re: Replacement Tube Suggestions
Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 10:02 am
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WTF is "NU-Metal"......some type of isotope alloy made from Nitrogen and Uranium?

:lol:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Replacement Tube Suggestions
Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 10:58 am
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LOL I have no clue! I was talking about the tight low end and that SRV tone...


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Post subject: Re: Replacement Tube Suggestions
Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 11:20 am
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" What is the difference between 6L6 GC and 6L6 WGC? "

In the old days, the "W" in front of the rest of the letters indicated a mil spec tube. I've never seen a US made 6L6WGC. Just WGA and WGB's. Most mil spec US made 6L6GC's were 7581 and 7581A. Made by Sylvania, GE, and Philips ECG. They are very good tubes.

Now, the Russians made quite a few mil spec 6L6 type tubes in the 1960-80's. Reflektor factory made 6P3S-E or 6N3C-E tubes, for instance. And many get relabeled by New Sensor or Sovtek with the mil spec "W." But, their plates are not up to the voltage of a 7581A. More like the 5881 or 6L6WGB range.

You can run 450-475 VDC on the plates --- but be SURE that the Screen Grid is running a good, steady 5-10 volts below the anode. And that you are not biasing the tube to run over 20-25 watts per tube, at idle (Class AB1, push-pull mode).


http://www.thegearpage.net/board/archiv ... 96577.html


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Post subject: Re: Replacement Tube Suggestions
Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 11:23 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
WTF is "NU-Metal"......some type of isotope alloy made from Nitrogen and Uranium?

:lol:

Arjay



I'm still trying to figger out what "Post Rock" is. :x

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Post subject: Re: Replacement Tube Suggestions
Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 11:57 am
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
" What is the difference between 6L6 GC and 6L6 WGC? "

In the old days, the "W" in front of the rest of the letters indicated a mil spec tube. I've never seen a US made 6L6WGC. Just WGA and WGB's. Most mil spec US made 6L6GC's were 7581 and 7581A. Made by Sylvania, GE, and Philips ECG. They are very good tubes.

Now, the Russians made quite a few mil spec 6L6 type tubes in the 1960-80's. Reflektor factory made 6P3S-E or 6N3C-E tubes, for instance. And many get relabeled by New Sensor or Sovtek with the mil spec "W." But, their plates are not up to the voltage of a 7581A. More like the 5881 or 6L6WGB range.

You can run 450-475 VDC on the plates --- but be SURE that the Screen Grid is running a good, steady 5-10 volts below the anode. And that you are not biasing the tube to run over 20-25 watts per tube, at idle (Class AB1, push-pull mode).


http://www.thegearpage.net/board/archiv ... 96577.html


I must admit, most of what you just said went way over my head but I appreciate the information. Looks like I need to do some research.

You mentioned not to bias the tubes over a certain wattage. The test ports on the back of my amp allows the measurement of voltage and the manual indicates what voltage to set it at when setting the bias. Is measuring the watts an old school method or am I missing something?


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