It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 10:58 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 13 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Question concerning tube change ?
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 3:37 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2012 4:31 am
Posts: 582
Location: Woonsocket, R.I.
I figure only the folks here in the Fender forums can help me with this one. As most of you know, I acquired a 1996 Fender Roc-Pro 700 combo just over a month ago which has a 12AX7/ECC83 tube preamp. Now it sounds fine and everything but I have one question, when I got it, the guy I got it from never told me if the tube that is in it, was the original or is a replacement. Not knowing that , I'm not sure if I should take the chance now and replace it or wait until it starts acting up. I love this amp and it sounds great, but I just want to be sure as to when to change the tube in it. I've never had a tube amp before being a solid state guy , so this is all new to me. Thanks.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Question concerning tube change ?
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 3:43 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
It is always a good idea to have plenty of spares, preamp, output, rectifier, whatever your amp might need in an emergency. But, if it ain't broke, don't "fix" it. :wink:

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Question concerning tube change ?
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 7:26 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2007 2:19 pm
Posts: 8827
shimmilou wrote:
It is always a good idea to have plenty of spares, preamp, output, rectifier, whatever your amp might need in an emergency. But, if it ain't broke, don't "fix" it. :wink:


+1 I've had tubes last for decades. If you buy power tube be sure to buy them in matched pairs. Usually if I run an amp with two 6V6 power tubes I buy a matched Quad Set. That way if I'm on a gig, I don't need to worry about re-biasing after a tube change. YMMV

_________________
Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Question concerning tube change ?
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 9:05 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2011 6:10 pm
Posts: 2261
Location: Elay
I had a similar concern recently with my Vox amp. I have a gig coming up, the amp started sounding a little louder when I turned it on and I realized I had never changed the tube and the down and out musician I bought it from probably didn't. I didn't want to take the chance of it crapping out on me on stage.
The amp is a hybrid and only has one 12AX7 tube, but I couldn't get at it. So I paid a tech $20 to change it. He said the old tube was still working but very weak on one side. I feel better about taking it to the gig now. But if your amp isn't leaving the house, then get as much mileage as you can out of what you have.

_________________
'10 American Deluxe HSS Sunset Metallic
'10 JA-90 Thinline Telecaster
'15 Music Man JP-15 Blueberry Burst
'07 Les Paul Standard Faded LCPG #82
'14 Carvin ST300
'12 Carvin CS424S
'66 Guild Starfire IV w/Bigsby
'14 Warmouth Partscaster Daphne Blue


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Question concerning tube change ?
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 9:23 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Tue Sep 11, 2012 2:14 pm
Posts: 2561
There is no predicting how long a Tube will last.

Tube Life can be affected by a variety of reasons, such as the number of On/Off cycles, your power supply, Temp changes, being physically jostled, etc.

As mentioned, it's good to have spares on hand, but preventative maintenance isn't necessary (unless maybe you're a gigging pro). Use it until the sound degrades to your ear, then swap-in the spare.

cheers!

_________________
Image

'11 FSR Am. Vtg. Ltd. Ed. CAR '57 Stratocaster (SN# LE02639)
'14 American Deluxe Ash Stratocaster
'12 Telebration Empress Telecaster
'99 Deluxe Nashville Telecaster
'12 FSR Telecaster HH
'10 Heritage H-535
'99 Martin DC-1E
'13 Lanikai Tenor Ukulele


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Question concerning tube change ?
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 10:25 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2012 4:31 am
Posts: 582
Location: Woonsocket, R.I.
Well my amp is a hybrid and I do use it with my band. So far it's been running fine with no problems. I think I am going to go and buy a couple of JJ 12AX7/ECC83's this week just to be on the safe side. I see that Guitar Center sells them for only 14 bucks apiece so that isn't a problem. Plus seeing that my amp is a solid state/tube hybrid, it should be pretty easy for myself to change the tube by myself shouldn't it ?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Question concerning tube change ?
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 11:35 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2013 8:03 am
Posts: 575
Location: In the Land of "Stratocaster"
Shouldn't be too bad to change a tube... just be careful and use common sense... don't force anything (don't want to break a pin or damage the tube socket)... make sure the amp's unplugged etc...

Some models are easier than others to access the tubes... if you run into anything freaky and you're unsure about how to go about things... take it to a qualified tech.

I agree with the others saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"... If there isn't any problem(s) with the amp's sound and funcionality... hold onto the new tubes for when a tube(s) begin to fail. Until then... continue to enjoy using the amp 8)

_________________
★ ★ ★ ★ ★


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Question concerning tube change ?
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 2:22 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2012 4:31 am
Posts: 582
Location: Woonsocket, R.I.
Thanks everyone for the help. I do appreciate it and will take everything you all have told me into consideration.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Question concerning tube change ?
Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2014 4:13 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2012 4:31 am
Posts: 582
Location: Woonsocket, R.I.
I did get in touch with a dealer on E-bay who told me that JJ 12 AXzA/ECC83's are the ones that'll be perfect for my amp and they're only 14 bucks each, so I'm going to buy a couple of them this week and bring them to Noll Guitars where they have a qualified amp tech on staff who'll install one in the amp for me . Since I've never done anything like that before, I'm not going to attempt it myself and risk ruining my amp. Better to be safe than sorry. They told me that their amp guy will do it for only 15 bucks so that's a bargain.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Question concerning tube change ?
Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2014 6:41 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2007 2:19 pm
Posts: 8827
I usually get all my JJ's from Bob at Eurotubes. I've been smoked too many times with tubes on EBay.

_________________
Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Question concerning tube change ?
Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2014 4:22 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2012 4:31 am
Posts: 582
Location: Woonsocket, R.I.
63supro wrote:
I usually get all my JJ's from Bob at Eurotubes. I've been smoked too many times with tubes on EBay.


I only deal with sellers who have a high rating and no negative reviews. This way I know I'm not getting screwed over Supro. I ordered my new tube yesterday and it should be here in a few days.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Question concerning tube change ?
Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 7:24 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2007 2:19 pm
Posts: 8827
Jeff, Eurotubes is a respected dealer that only sells JJ's. He backs what he sells, has great service and prices and personally answers any and all questions. He's out of Portland, Oregon.

_________________
Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Question concerning tube change ?
Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2014 3:29 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2012 4:31 am
Posts: 582
Location: Woonsocket, R.I.
63supro wrote:
Jeff, Eurotubes is a respected dealer that only sells JJ's. He backs what he sells, has great service and prices and personally answers any and all questions. He's out of Portland, Oregon.


I just installed the JJ that came in today and it sounds great !!!! Much better than the stock Fender that was in it.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 13 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Solid Body Love Songs and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: