Tube Help

[Chickenwings]

Re: Tube Help

Doc Barlo...sounds like tung sols are the way to go for you...but what speaker are you planning on using? That might be a good way to get the extra bottom and still have the cool vintage feel you want. An efficient speaker with a smooth sounding flexible cone....a.la the cannabis rex by any chance?

[dr.barlo]

Re: Tube Help

The thing would be a head unit. And am gonna be using a G12H30 Anni. version (75Hz). I also have a (new) Jensen C12N, that I might try.

BTW, unless you guys lead me otherwise, my current choice is TungSol 6V6's...

B

[zzmoore]

Re: Tube Help

Just make sure you have a decent AY7 for your Bassman.
good luck

[guitarkid]

Re: Tube Help

I hate JJ tubes for the most part so my suggestions will differ a bit...

I'd say reissue Tung Sol 5881's for the Bassman and Tung Sol 6V6's for the DRRI.

Preamp tubes...I like the reissue Tung Sol's, I like the EH 12AX7 and 12AT7's. The new Svetlana 12AX7's are nice too for the price...they are low noise, lower gain than the Ting Sols and are less bright. Sovtek makes a good 5751 thats worth bringing up here if thats your thing.

Well the only problem that I have found with running the Tung-Sol 5881's in the 59 Basman RI's, is that these reissues have a higher plate voltage at 450v and up and the 5881's are only rated for up to 400v. I've read several stories of people running them in there 59 RI's and they either burn out really quick or blow up.

I will check out the other preamp tubes you mentioned though. And I actually have decided to go with the Tung-Sol 6v6's for the DRRI. Thanks for the suggestions man!

Just make sure you have a decent AY7 for your Bassman.
good luck

Yeah, I actually have a 12AY7 in the V1 position of it now. I might take it out though, because I have read that the 1/4w plate resistors in V1 can't handle a 12AY7 and it could possibly blow the resistor, over time. I've heard that its best to put a 1/2w plate resistors in place of the 1/4w. I'm not 100% sure on everything though, and I don't want to take a chance at damaging my amp. Thats why I am going to try a good 5751 in the V1 slot.

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Tube Help

Well the only problem that I have found with running the Tung-Sol 5881's in the 59 Basman RI's, is that these reissues have a higher plate voltage at 450v and up and the 5881's are only rated for up to 400v. I've read several stories of people running them in there 59 RI's and they either burn out really quick or blow up.

I will check out the other preamp tubes you mentioned though. And I actually have decided to go with the Tung-Sol 6v6's for the DRRI. Thanks for the suggestions man!

Yeah, I actually have a 12AY7 in the V1 position of it now. I might take it out though, because I have read that the 1/4w plate resistors in V1 can't handle a 12AY7 and it could possibly blow the resistor, over time. I've heard that its best to put a 1/2w plate resistors in place of the 1/4w. I'm not 100% sure on everything though, and I don't want to take a chance at damaging my amp. Thats why I am going to try a good 5751 in the V1 slot.

Who said the TS 5881 reissues will only take 400 volts???

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Tube Help

The thing would be a head unit. And am gonna be using a G12H30 Anni. version (75Hz). I also have a (new) Jensen C12N, that I might try.

BTW, unless you guys lead me otherwise, my current choice is TungSol 6V6's...

B

An alnico Celestion sounds really great in a 5E3 but they are close to the edge in terms of wattage (unless you get a Gold or HP clone) and they cost a lot but I really like them.

I'm thinking about trying the new Eminence EJ speaker myself...just gotta decide to drop 3 bills on it!

[guitarkid]

Re: Tube Help

Who said the TS 5881 reissues will only take 400 volts???

A few people had said so on a couple different forums. I don't remember exactly which ones. I'll have to go do a google search again to see. Lol

I think I might just stick with the tubes that I mentioned earlier though, but also pick up some Svetlana 12AX7's to try out too. And if for some reason I don't like some of them, I'll just try some others, and I'll always have plenty of spares.

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Tube Help

A few people had said so on a couple different forums. I don't remember exactly which ones. I'll have to go do a google search again to see. Lol

I think I might just stick with the tubes that I mentioned earlier though, but also pick up some Svetlana 12AX7's to try out too. And if for some reason I don't like some of them, I'll just try some others, and I'll always have plenty of spares.

There is no way those tubes can only take 400 volts...

A Deluxe Reverb has over 400 volts on the plates of 6V6's so there are some NOS 6V6's that shouldn't be used in a DR pr DRRI but a 5881 should easily handle 450 volts and then some...

As long as you don't exceed 23 watts dissipation per tube with a crazy hot bias voltage you'll be fine...

After all, the original 50's Fender Bassman amps came with Tung Sol 5881 power tubes!

[Powdered Toast Man]

Re: Tube Help

Hey, I know you were having trouble with your Bassman sounding harsh. Mine was too - until I adjusted the bias today! Is yours the LTD or the earlier reissue? If it's the LTD then you have the bias pot and I recommend bumping it up some. Really took the harsh edge off that I was getting.

[zzmoore]

Re: Tube Help

Yeah, I actually have a 12AY7 in the V1 position of it now. I might take it out though, because I have read that the 1/4w plate resistors in V1 can't handle a 12AY7 and it could possibly blow the resistor, over time. I've heard that its best to put a 1/2w plate resistors in place of the 1/4w. I'm not 100% sure on everything though, and I don't want to take a chance at damaging my amp. Thats why I am going to try a good 5751 in the V1 slot.

I think you will be happier of you just use 1 Watt CF plate resistors. But, by all means, try the 5751 and see what you think.
Change the PR's anyway.
best

[zzmoore]

Re: Tube Help

Who said the TS 5881 reissues will only take 400 volts???

Tung-Solo did.
And New Sensor does.

http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/thetubestore/ts5881.pdf

To my knowledge that has always been their spec.
But guitar amps have run power tubes over spec since Day #1 (almost) .
That is probably why he was told what he was.
best

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Tube Help

Tung-Solo did.
And New Sensor does.

http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/thetubestore/ts5881.pdf

To my knowledge that has always been their spec.
But guitar amps have run power tubes over spec since Day #1 (almost) .
That is probably why he was told what he was.
best

I know what the spec sheet says but thats design center...not design max.

TS 5881's had a design center of 360 volts 60+ years ago but even then they could take far more than that.

Leo Fender ALWAYS pushed the envelope on voltages applied to tubes in his amps and since almost every other amp out there as in some way or another based on a Fender everyone else pushed their tubes too...

The oldest original JTM-45's had Tung Sol 5881's and they ran over 400 volts...all the bigger, narrow panel tweeds ran TS 5881's and ran them over 400 volts, many of the wide panel tweeds ran TS 5881's at over 400 volts...you get the idea.

If you can New Sensor and ask them (and yes, I have) they will tell you that much like the original TS 5881's they are conservatively rated and can easily handle over 400 volts...As long as you do not exceed 23 watts per tube with the bias.

[zzmoore]

Re: Tube Help

No argument from me.
Just commenting on why the OP was being told about 400 VDC on the plates.
best

[Chickenwings]

Re: Tube Help

The thing would be a head unit. And am gonna be using a G12H30 Anni. version (75Hz). I also have a (new) Jensen C12N, that I might try.

BTW, unless you guys lead me otherwise, my current choice is TungSol 6V6's...

B

sell the c12n....get a cannabis...youll thank me later!

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Tube Help

sell the c12n....get a cannabis...youll thank me later!

Not for a 5E3...at least not in my opinion.