HELP!!!! Tube Amp Wizards, Please!!!!!

gordon_39422

gordon_39422

New member
So, I bought a Hot Rod Deluxe last week used, and have been rather disatisfied with the tones I have been getting since I brougth it home. Well, I bought a multi-meter from Radio Shack and came home anxious to re-bias my tubes to see if that would help. Well, upon inspection, the multi-meter needed a specific battery, so I had to drive 30 miles one-way back to the Shack and get the stupid battery. When I got home, I could finally get to work. WRONG!! I had to make the bed as my wife washed the sheets today.

The point being, one of my output tubes is not glowing or even getting warm. The amp was reading 38mV, so it was biased, but apparently only one tube was pulling his weight. I unplugged and let them cool, and switched sockets to see if it was tube or amp, and it is definitely tube. Is this the most likely candidate for the problem in the first place. I have a credit with the store and can upgrade, but if replacing the tubes will solve the problem, then I would like to keep the bargain I have now. Besides, I wanted to upgrade to some better Output tubes and step down to 12AT7's for the preamps.

So there it is in a nutshell!!! Thanks for checking this out, and for any advice you may offer!!!

Allen
 
Re: HELP!!!! Tube Amp Wizards, Please!!!!!

I guess, you could start by buying some new tubes, or retube completely...

But, Ill let the dudes who actually know something give you the advice. :)
 
Re: HELP!!!! Tube Amp Wizards, Please!!!!!

I would take the amp back to the store and demand!! they fix it for free.
If they apreciate your Biz? They should ! After all they sold you a Amp w/t
an bad tube or maybe a deeper problem? If they don't make good on it
I wouldn't buy new tubes from them. Take your Biz else where. there's
many online tube vendors.
 
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Re: HELP!!!! Tube Amp Wizards, Please!!!!!

gordon_39422 said:
it is definitely tube. Is this the most likely candidate for the problem in the first place.
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I think you kind of answered the question yourself

I don't know about demanding they fix it, but I feel they should at least hook you up with some tubes

BTW, I haven't looked at the tube chart, but I'd suggest just subbing one 12AT7 - that should be enough, depending on the position

someone posted a site here the other day that has a lot of info on these amps
 
Re: HELP!!!! Tube Amp Wizards, Please!!!!!

Curly said:
someone posted a site here the other day that has a lot of info on these amps
Click to expand...
(in a Jim Carrey tone of voice) IT WAS MEEEEE!!!!

I actually found the link here on the forum a few weeks earlier when I was considering the purchase of the amp. Some VERY useful stuff about HRDx's.

Yeah, I realized that my post was more of a vent than so much of a question, after I read it again.

The amp works fine, it just breaks up (in a cool way) very early, around the 9 o'clock position, or 3 on the dial. I am not going to play it until I get the new tibes. I would hate to cook the amp.

As far as the shop that sold me the amp goes, I will bring it Monday and try to get some compensation for the tubes. Meanwhile, I ordered some Tesla (JJ) 6l6gc's from the Tube Depot. If everything goes well, I will be playing my amp again Monday night (probably on some GT's, booooh!) until I get the JJ's around FRI. Then I will be JAMMING come this weekend, and have a set of GT's for backup tubes!

Thanks for the replies!!

Allen
 
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Re: HELP!!!! Tube Amp Wizards, Please!!!!!

gordon_39422 said:
I am not going to play it until I get the new tibes. I would hate to cook the amp.
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Would that be wise, or is there no potential for damage playing on one bad output tube? It does not illuminate, flouresce, or get warm.:question:

I just dont know if I can take playing through my practice amp for the next few days!!!!!!!!! :sad: :crying: :angryfire

Later guys!!
Allen
 
Re: HELP!!!! Tube Amp Wizards, Please!!!!!

honestly, I wouldn't risk it ... in some cases, it might damage the power tranny - certainly a lot more costly than a pair of tubes
 
Re: HELP!!!! Tube Amp Wizards, Please!!!!!

Curly said:
honestly, I wouldn't risk it ... in some cases, it might damage the power tranny - certainly a lot more costly than a pair of tubes
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+1 That a Push/Pull curcuit. think of it as trying to ride a SEE-SAW by
yourself...Not a good idea right? :laugh2:
 
Re: HELP!!!! Tube Amp Wizards, Please!!!!!

try some 5751, 12ay7 or 12av7 b4 trying the 12at7. the 12at7 is a high current tube (compared to the 12axy anyway..) and can sound funny sometimes, in certain circuits that were designed for a 12ax7's. good luck with the set of power tubes yer having troubles with.

germ
 
Re: HELP!!!! Tube Amp Wizards, Please!!!!!

If I recall correctly, I think that non-glow is normal on the HRD.
 
Re: HELP!!!! Tube Amp Wizards, Please!!!!!

Gordon. Have you heard of the "volume box"? Lots of HRD owners have built one. It's just a volume pot in line with the effects loop. It allows you to crank your master volume without blowing your head off.. those little amps are louder than ****e!
I built one for my HRD and it really does work.
 
Re: HELP!!!! Tube Amp Wizards, Please!!!!!

I had a Hot Rod Deville 2x12 and it was way too freaking loud. If I knew then what I know now, I'd have immediately put a set of 6L6WGB (5881) power tubes in it and rebiased. I tried the different preamp tubes, but none of that gave me the breakup I was looking for.

The Hot Rod is one thing to my ears.... a great clean amp. Nothing more, nothing less. Get a nice distortion pedal if you want to grind.

Leopards don't change their spots. Something to keep in mind.
 
Re: HELP!!!! Tube Amp Wizards, Please!!!!!

and I built one of those volume boxes, but all it did was give me a lot of preamp distortion. I'd take a good distortion pedal over that any day.
 
Re: HELP!!!! Tube Amp Wizards, Please!!!!!

kmcguitars said:
I would take the amp back to the store and demand!! they fix it for free.
If they apreciate your Biz? They should ! After all they sold you a Amp w/t
an bad tube or maybe a deeper problem? If they don't make good on it
I wouldn't buy new tubes from them. Take your Biz else where. there's
many online tube vendors.
Click to expand...

That's what I would do. Hopefully it's just a bad tube, but if it's something deeper, you don't want to start throwing money into it yet. Let the seller try to have the situation corrected.

Jeff
 
Re: HELP!!!! Tube Amp Wizards, Please!!!!!

I certainly appreciate the feedback, guys. Scott, that is the ONLY thing I look for in a Fender amp. I truly can't stand the gain channel(s). Mine is breaking up rather early, but I am positive that is due to only one tube performing its duties. I am not 100% certain, but I did switch sockets, and the bad tube still did not perform in the new location. I'll check into those 6L6WGB's. I already orderd the 6L6GC's from the Tube Depot. I am looking to eliminate breakup at low to moderate volumes, so I will be exploring with the 12AT7. Of course, I will re-bias upon installation.

Oh yeah, I think this amp takes pedals like few others. As such, my OD/Disto needs will be met by pedals. This baby is going to be configured to ring like a bell!!
 
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