amp "troubles" - new tubes? (Atomic Reactor)

[clint_41]

so i played a gig today in my school gym with my Atomic, and i noticed a little problem that has gotten worse over time. at high volumes, the amp is less than flattering, which was not the case when i first got it. i had the master volume between 6 and 7 for the entire gig and the tone was.... not the best it has been. it is a little shrill and very solid-state like. when the amp was new, it was smoooooth as butta. not now. if the volume was pushed past 7 it was awful, especially with distortion. so - is this a sign that it needs new tubes? i have had it for a little over a year now, and i really dont know how fast tubes go out. since i have owned it, it has seen daily practice use (volume about 3) and band practice about once a week (volume about 6) and then a handful of gigs (volume at 6+). if it isnt the tubes, then what else could be the problem? any help would be appreciated. thanks.

 

[greendy123]

Re: amp "troubles" - new tubes? (Atomic Reactor)

I would get an amp tech to check it out for you. You could probably get new tubes anyways for it because you use it daily.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: amp "troubles" - new tubes? (Atomic Reactor)

I really know nothing about the reactors. While it could be a tube or two, the "take it to a tech" idea will probably save you money over the long run.

A year of hard banging on the power tubes is about right I'd guess depending on how much you play it. Would you say, you put 40 hours on it a week? 20 hours?

Give us an idea how often you play it and we'll be able to give you a better idea. I'm sure the power tubes they put in there originally were not the greatest.

 

[rinse_master]

Re: amp "troubles" - new tubes? (Atomic Reactor)

I have an atomic and it has 2 x JJ EL84's and a 12AX7A, if it helps.

 

[Mkf411]

Re: amp "troubles" - new tubes? (Atomic Reactor)

A year of playing could mean some new tubes are inorder. It wouldn't hurt to take it to a tech, especially if it needs to be re-biased with a new set of tubes.

But first, are you changing your guitar strings regularly? It could be the guitar that needs attention. Before you take it to a tech, try it with a different guitar or plug your guitar into a different amp. That way you'll know if it's the amp that needs attention.:fingersx:

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: amp "troubles" - new tubes? (Atomic Reactor)

I wouldn't pass judgement on any peice of gear based on playing it in a gym. Those are terrible rooms for gigging and really evaluating ANY factor about an amp...way too much boom and sound gets VERY weird.

 

[clint_41]

Re: amp "troubles" - new tubes? (Atomic Reactor)

I wouldn't pass judgement on any peice of gear based on playing it in a gym. Those are terrible rooms for gigging and really evaluating ANY factor about an amp...way too much boom and sound gets VERY weird.

ya, but i have noticed this problem getting worse over time. it was at this gig when i decided i need to do something about it.

aslo, i will check out my guitar and change strings. then take it into a tech to see what he can tell me. thanks for the help guys

 

[Scott_F]

Re: amp "troubles" - new tubes? (Atomic Reactor)

Most EL84 amps are cathode-biased. Some EL84 amps chew through tubes pretty quick. I'd get a new set of power tubes and pop them in there. It never hurts to have a back up set of power tubes anyway, but I'm betting that's your problem.

 

[clint_41]

Re: amp "troubles" - new tubes? (Atomic Reactor)

Most EL84 amps are cathode-biased. Some EL84 amps chew through tubes pretty quick. I'd get a new set of power tubes and pop them in there. It never hurts to have a back up set of power tubes anyway, but I'm betting that's your problem.

i have never done any work with tubes before. i am assuming i should get the exact same power tubes that were in there already. and does this require biasing the amp? if so i think i would need to take it to a tech anyways.

 

[greendy123]

Re: amp "troubles" - new tubes? (Atomic Reactor)

i have never done any work with tubes before. i am assuming i should get the exact same power tubes that were in there already. and does this require biasing the amp? if so i think i would need to take it to a tech anyways.

All you need to do is just get el-84 tubes, from there you can stick with the brand you have in there now or type a different brand. Each brand of a certain tube type give different types of tones, so stick with the same if you like the tone or use something different to find that perfect tube brand you will like forever.