power tubes, matched set?
- Thread starter BloodRose
- Start date
Brow
Active member
Re: power tubes, matched set?
A word of warning: chances are very likely you WILL need to get the amp biased after changing the valves. I'd always heard that Splawns were biased pretty hot.
When Toe-Knee sorted mine for me he found that the stock valves (Valve Art brand) were biased extremely hot. When we put the matched set of JJs in he had to turn the bias pot pretty much all the way in the opposite direction to get the JJs in the 'correct' bias range.
If we had just put the new JJs in on the same bias setting as the old valves they'd been running far too hot and wouldn't have lasted long at all
A word of warning: chances are very likely you WILL need to get the amp biased after changing the valves. I'd always heard that Splawns were biased pretty hot.
When Toe-Knee sorted mine for me he found that the stock valves (Valve Art brand) were biased extremely hot. When we put the matched set of JJs in he had to turn the bias pot pretty much all the way in the opposite direction to get the JJs in the 'correct' bias range.
If we had just put the new JJs in on the same bias setting as the old valves they'd been running far too hot and wouldn't have lasted long at all
Re: power tubes, matched set?
Thanks Bro! Yeah, Im really kinda green at tube changes, so I assumed (so I planned) on having a tech install them for me and bias it. Its my understanding that you have to bias an amp when changing power tubes unless you get a set thats same brand and same rating as before, or have a self biasing amp.. So.. I finally got the $ to buy tubes, so Im gonna order them.. then have to save for the bias.. I just hope it fixes it. I MISS my splawn!!
Thanks Bro! Yeah, Im really kinda green at tube changes, so I assumed (so I planned) on having a tech install them for me and bias it. Its my understanding that you have to bias an amp when changing power tubes unless you get a set thats same brand and same rating as before, or have a self biasing amp.. So.. I finally got the $ to buy tubes, so Im gonna order them.. then have to save for the bias.. I just hope it fixes it. I MISS my splawn!!
Brow
Active member
Wattage
High Voltologist
Re: power tubes, matched set?
Never done it before then take it to a shop to have it done. They'll guarantee the tubes (or should anyway) and set a proper bias for it.
Don't waste a good set of tubes, don't take a chance at frying the resistor grid and or shocking yourself.
Never done it before then take it to a shop to have it done. They'll guarantee the tubes (or should anyway) and set a proper bias for it.
Don't waste a good set of tubes, don't take a chance at frying the resistor grid and or shocking yourself.
TwilightOdyssey
Darkness on the edge of Tone
Re: power tubes, matched set?
Valves do not typically carry a warranty.
Valves do not typically carry a warranty.
Re: power tubes, matched set?
No worries.. I wasnt planning to do it on my own.. I dont have the tools to check the bias, so I wouldnt risk damaging the amp..
No worries.. I wasnt planning to do it on my own.. I dont have the tools to check the bias, so I wouldnt risk damaging the amp..
Wattage
High Voltologist
Re: power tubes, matched set?
NO but any shop you buy the tubes from that does the biasing should cover them if they pop right after install, that's been my experience anyway.
Get the tubes from the shop that will do the work is my best recommendation. If you don't have a worthy tech shop that you use now, find one. A good tech is worth their weight in gold. Too many of the online shops sell crap and then lie about it. Bringing their tubes to a good tech is a slap in his face IMO.
@Bloodrose - you seem like you have a lot of real decent gear but you always have some issues, a real tech will solve them if they are solvable. If it's that you can't afford the work I suggest letting one piece go so that you have some gear money for maintenance and repair. Tube amps all require maintenance, it is a must. If you can legitimately do it yourself, you're golden but if not don't screw around that's why there are pros that make a living doing the work.
Pennywise and pound foolish is not a good gear mgmt scheme.
NO but any shop you buy the tubes from that does the biasing should cover them if they pop right after install, that's been my experience anyway.
Get the tubes from the shop that will do the work is my best recommendation. If you don't have a worthy tech shop that you use now, find one. A good tech is worth their weight in gold. Too many of the online shops sell crap and then lie about it. Bringing their tubes to a good tech is a slap in his face IMO.
@Bloodrose - you seem like you have a lot of real decent gear but you always have some issues, a real tech will solve them if they are solvable. If it's that you can't afford the work I suggest letting one piece go so that you have some gear money for maintenance and repair. Tube amps all require maintenance, it is a must. If you can legitimately do it yourself, you're golden but if not don't screw around that's why there are pros that make a living doing the work.
Pennywise and pound foolish is not a good gear mgmt scheme.
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Re: power tubes, matched set?
I have sent back, or returned many tubes that were DOA, or died of infant mortality; for a refund.
Who are you buying from.?
I have sent back, or returned many tubes that were DOA, or died of infant mortality; for a refund.
