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Post subject: Vibration-absorbing stabilizer on pre-amp tubes
Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 8:59 pm
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I am new to tube amps and have a few questions. The manual for my Blues-Deluxe Reissue says "A vibration-absorbing stabilizer is installed around the pre-amp tubes to minimize tube microphonics that normally develop over time. The stabilizer can be used with all preamp tubes compatible with your Blues Deliuxe amplifier."

Why is there no stabilizer on the output tubes?

I thought the tubes become microphonic with age?

How will I know when its time to change the tubes?


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Post subject: Re: Vibration-absorbing stabilizer on pre-amp tubes
Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 9:53 pm
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Location: Natural Bridge, Virginia
Preamp tubes are the most likely ones to become microphonic, especially the first two.

You can buy vibration absorbers for the power amp tubes if you like:

http://www.eurotubes.com/eurotubes-Euro ... -Rings.htm

Unless they suddenly fail, preamp tubes will last a long, long time. Power tubes will start to sound weak, distort, and generaly sound bad. Make sure the power amp tubes are biased properly.

See my thread

viewtopic.php?f=13&t=80142&p=911995

for mods and tips to get the best out of the BDRI.

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Post subject: Re: Vibration-absorbing stabilizer on pre-amp tubes
Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 11:29 am
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+1 Especially V1. I shock mounted the V1 preamp tube on my 5E3 clone by using rubber grommets. I've used tube dampers for years. I always found it better to use them before you have a rattle problem. I used them on my power tubes too.

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Post subject: Re: Vibration-absorbing stabilizer on pre-amp tubes
Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 6:05 pm
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So what actually happens to the tube without a stabilizer?


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Post subject: Re: Vibration-absorbing stabilizer on pre-amp tubes
Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 6:40 pm
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It vibrates! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Look at the insides of a tube. Pretty delicate, don't you think? In a combo amp like the BDRI, the tubes are bombarded with high levels of sound across the frequency band. The tubes vibrate which can loosen and damage the elements inside of a tube making them microphonic at best and possibly causing the elements to short out at worst. Anything you can do to keep that from happening is a good thing. 8)

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Post subject: Re: Vibration-absorbing stabilizer on pre-amp tubes
Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2013 5:40 pm
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I was surprised how warm the control panel gets. I assume this is normal? Since the tubes are mounted right below it and its metal.


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Post subject: Re: Vibration-absorbing stabilizer on pre-amp tubes
Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2013 6:10 pm
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Perfectly normal. :D

Now, if ou ever find that you can't touch the control panel without burning your fingers, shut the amp off immediately and take it to a qualified amp tech. :shock:

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