Randomly trying different tubes in place of the specified tube without understanding the electrical characteristics of the tube and amp is a good way to damage either or both. Several preamp tubes are readily interchangable (5751, 12AX7, 12AY7, and to some extent 12AT7), but swapping power amp tubes may result in greater current draw on the heater power supply, mismatched impedances between the output tube and the primary side of the output transformer, incorrect bias settings that may or may be able to be adjusted out, and other problems. A excellent example of all this is Neal Young's 5E3 Deluxe where he has swapped 6L6GCs in place of the specified 6V6GTs. The amp runs so hot (temperature wise) that fans must be used to keep the transformers from melting!

_________________
Bill

_________________

Ok.....seeing the above picture makes me VERY VERY jealous! Now I gotta say, having tried the DRRI in a store, that I really like that amp! I don't know that it necessarily sounds like a Twin or a Super but, it is a very use-able tone. As a matter of fact, I couldn't make the thing sound bad! Well...I didn't try very hard....I just tried out a bunch of different EQ settings and every one of em sounded EFFING COOL!

My point?...By no means would I ever bag on a Twin Reverb beyond the fact that the sucker is WAY TOO heavy, and won't fit in my car (in addition to how ridiculously loud it is). The Deluxe is cheaper, smaller, lighter weight and I am fairly convinced that you could make some very nice sounds with it without doing a single thing to the tubes. I actually own a Hot Rod Deluxe III which is alright but, I'm thinking very seriously about putting it (and another amp I own) up for a sale to buy a DRRI.

_________________

Yeah, I'm running an American std Strat fitted out with custom shop pu's.
That, in conjunction with a series of high end and boutique handwired effects units. All I'm missing is the amp. Definately have a few options to try out, that being said, if i had enough cash i'd be buying a two rock in a heartbeat. those things are incredible

What is a two rock?

_________________

"DO NOT BUY AMPS WITH PCBoards"

"I say, get a used DDRI." (I assume you meant "DRRI")

Topp, you do realize those two pieces of advice are contradictory?

I vehemently disagree with the anti-PCB advice. Every Mesa/Boogie ever built is PCB based, as is every Soldano, every Diesel, lots of other boutique brands. (Mesa may be too big now to be called "boutique", but even when Randall Smith made every one himself he used PCB's.) The original Ampeg SVT was a PCB amp (as are all the SVT reissues). Marshall JCM800's. The list of revered classic PCB amps could go on for pages.

If the PCB reissue Fenders sound different that the original tagboard Fenders (a big "if" that people have argued about for years), my opinion is that it's due to the changes in the transformers, cap values, etc, not because of the PCBs.

And you seem to still be under the impression that the OP already has a Twin Reverb. He doesn't -- the Twin Reverb and the Deluxe Reverb are amps that he's considering as a possible future purchase to replace his current solid-state amp.

(I hope this doesn't sound like I'm one of those "cranky old men who pick on you" -- that's not my intention. You're a nice guy, very interesting, and very knowledgeable. I don't mean to be antagonistic or disrespectful when I argue with your comments and I apologize if I come off that way.)

Two Rock is a boutique amp company. John Mayer is probably the most famous user, but they were around before he came on the scene.

My impression is that they're Dumble-inspired, but since I've never played any of the Two Rock models and never even seen a Dumble (except in videos) I can't vouch for that.

Yes. But, if you gotta do it, DDRI is not the end of the world.
I have several PCB based amps and solid state amps.
But, if there is a choice with pricing being close, gotta give a
Deluxe Reverb a chance against a Deluxe Reverb Reissue.

I should have better stated:
"DO NOT BUY AMPS WITH PCBoards if you can get the tube amps at similar pricing"
Sorry about that.

Brand new DRRI's are around $1000 and right now there are some Pre-1980s DRs
for $1000-$1200. Which would one choose? Anyway my thoughs vs bad writing

_________________

_________________

"DO NOT BUY AMPS WITH PCBoards if you can get the tube amps at similar pricing"

Yeah, for the most part I'll agree with that. But with a new amp you get a 5 year transferrable warranty, you don't need to worry about whether the electrolytic caps need to be replaced, you don't need to be an expert to check if any weird mods have been done over the years, you don't need to risk dealing with some flaky nutcase on eBay or CraigsList, and you help support a company we all love. And at a lot of dealers you can return a new amp and get something else if you discover the amp just doesn't fit your needs.

You lose most of that if you buy a used RI (depending on how old it is), but used reissues sell for a lot less than originals.

Everything in life involves trade-offs and compromises. For some people buying an original is the right choice but for others a reissue is the right choice.

I agree. That is why I shared for the guy to buy a used DRRI.
Cheapest version of the lot. A new DDRI will be close to a vintage player's amp.
It is one of those trade-off kinda thing
Is that my idea
Toppscore

_________________

BTW, I am a cranky old man and I meant no disrespect toward my fellow cranky old men. I just wanted to be clear that I don't have a vendetta against you or anything like that.

I like to be challenged -- it clarifies my thoughts, teaches me, helps me see things from other people's perspectives. When I nitpick your posts it's meant in that spirit.

Great! My minister told me to reach beyond those that love me.
I like cranky old men.
As long as they brush their teeth and comb their hair

_________________

searchfortone, I apologize for taking this thread off-topic but that seems to be pretty common around here so I hope you don't mind too much.

Topp, here's an article Randall Smith wrote about PTP vs PCB. I don't agree with all of Randall's opinions but I do agree with his opinion about PCB's. I may have given the impression that Mesa's are entirely PCB -- they're a mix of PCB's and "handwired" chassis-mounted pots and tube sockets. (Soldano, Diesel, and many other boutiques do use board-mounted tube sockets and board-mounted pots.)

http://www.mesaboogie.com/US/Smith/point-to-point.html

edited to add: I wish I had remembered that article back in the thread where they were stomping on you for misusing the term "PTP" -- Randall calls old tag-board Fenders "PTP" and it is a very common misuse of the precise meaning of "PTP".