I have a RD-1 now for about a year, and it's cool for practicing at low volumes. The question is, if i can do tube replacement when it will be necessary by myself, without biasing it at all? It has power and preamp tubes. So while i know the higher tube wattage amp heads needs biasing, i am wondering if this little 1 watt amp need it too?
Randall Diavlo RD-1 question about tube replacement
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SlyFoxx
Glossless
Re: Randall Diavlo RD-1 question about tube replacement
It's using a single 12au7 for the power section so no, it will not need to concern yourself with bias. Just pop in a new one and you're good to go. Just make sure you don't confuse it with the two 12ax7's in there are well. They are all traditional pre-amp tubes and thus have the same pin configuration and look basically the same.
It's using a single 12au7 for the power section so no, it will not need to concern yourself with bias. Just pop in a new one and you're good to go. Just make sure you don't confuse it with the two 12ax7's in there are well. They are all traditional pre-amp tubes and thus have the same pin configuration and look basically the same.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Re: Randall Diavlo RD-1 question about tube replacement
Yes. No rebiasing necessary. I've swapped a couple different 12AU7's and 12AX7's in there, and it's all been good.
Yes. No rebiasing necessary. I've swapped a couple different 12AU7's and 12AX7's in there, and it's all been good.
Re: Randall Diavlo RD-1 question about tube replacement
Great, cause i don't know nothing about biasing at all.. When those Rubys will die, i will pop in JJ ECC82 in power section and Tung Sols in preamp sections.. May i ask you what was your selection of tubes when you changed them? I am running RD-1 through Orange 1x12 with V30, with clean boost of Boss SD-1. I was thinking couple of times to try this little head with 2x12, but i don't have money for that right now. Would 2x12 improve the bottom end on this little amp? The distortion and the whole sound is very clear, that's what i like about that amp, the whole different story compared to Cube 20X for practicing, much better sound on RD-1 at very low volumes. I prefer tone knob at about half to 3/4 and tss at middle or right. I am definately keeping it.
Great, cause i don't know nothing about biasing at all.. When those Rubys will die, i will pop in JJ ECC82 in power section and Tung Sols in preamp sections.. May i ask you what was your selection of tubes when you changed them? I am running RD-1 through Orange 1x12 with V30, with clean boost of Boss SD-1. I was thinking couple of times to try this little head with 2x12, but i don't have money for that right now. Would 2x12 improve the bottom end on this little amp? The distortion and the whole sound is very clear, that's what i like about that amp, the whole different story compared to Cube 20X for practicing, much better sound on RD-1 at very low volumes. I prefer tone knob at about half to 3/4 and tss at middle or right. I am definately keeping it.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Re: Randall Diavlo RD-1 question about tube replacement
I am using a PPC112 too! FWIW, I think the bottom-end is fine with this little amp through the 1x12, but running it through a 4x12 definitely makes it sound bigger. I usually run the TSS to the right when running a 1x12, but I feel it sounds better in the middle with an open-sounding 4x12. I guess a 2x12 would be a good middle ground, but I personally don't feel it lacks bottom-end with the PPC112. It's certainly not got the low-end of a 100W, but it's pretty chunky to my ears.
I like a JJ ECC83S in the first position to smooth out the highs and tighten up the lows. I like the stock Ruby 12AX7AC5 in there too as well as the Tung Sol 12AX7. I find the Tung Sol is the most open-sounding with big lows and some shimmer on top, but I prefer focused like the JJ rather than open in this position, personally. I like the stock Ruby 12AX7AC5 in the second position. I use an Electro Harmonix 12AU7A to brighten up the power section a bit, though I lost a little bit of volume compared to the stock Ruby 12AU7. I actually kinda dig that because I get to crank it a bit more. The stock Ruby is nice too, though. It's beefier and louder, and the Tung Sol 12AU7W is a good middle ground between the EHX and the Ruby.
I am using a PPC112 too! FWIW, I think the bottom-end is fine with this little amp through the 1x12, but running it through a 4x12 definitely makes it sound bigger. I usually run the TSS to the right when running a 1x12, but I feel it sounds better in the middle with an open-sounding 4x12. I guess a 2x12 would be a good middle ground, but I personally don't feel it lacks bottom-end with the PPC112. It's certainly not got the low-end of a 100W, but it's pretty chunky to my ears.
I like a JJ ECC83S in the first position to smooth out the highs and tighten up the lows. I like the stock Ruby 12AX7AC5 in there too as well as the Tung Sol 12AX7. I find the Tung Sol is the most open-sounding with big lows and some shimmer on top, but I prefer focused like the JJ rather than open in this position, personally. I like the stock Ruby 12AX7AC5 in the second position. I use an Electro Harmonix 12AU7A to brighten up the power section a bit, though I lost a little bit of volume compared to the stock Ruby 12AU7. I actually kinda dig that because I get to crank it a bit more. The stock Ruby is nice too, though. It's beefier and louder, and the Tung Sol 12AU7W is a good middle ground between the EHX and the Ruby.
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L
Little Pigbacon
Guest
Re: Randall Diavlo RD-1 question about tube replacement
I don’t even remember this.
I don’t even remember this.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Re: Randall Diavlo RD-1 question about tube replacement
How did the Mullard compare to the Ruby?
L
Little Pigbacon
Guest
Re: Randall Diavlo RD-1 question about tube replacement
That’s a question for future Pigbacon. I haven’t plugged that amp in since I got home with it.
That’s a question for future Pigbacon. I haven’t plugged that amp in since I got home with it.
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Re: Randall Diavlo RD-1 question about tube replacement
Thanks for suggestions. If i could get new Rubys here in my country i would probably just stick with them.. but i can only buy Tung sols, JJ's or Electro Harmonix. Rubys are not available here. So, if there will be improvement in tone with Tung Sol/JJ mix that's cool. I can't lose anything, i am gonna experiment a little when the Rubys will die. I have the RD45 too, but i need to take it to the service, because, for some reason there is no sound from it anymore.. i runned the 45 through marshall 1960 cab for about a year, and the low end was incredible. i sold 1960 later, because i decided to try out some 2x12. the sound from Orange PPC112 is awesome too. 1x12's are directional and focused.
Thanks for suggestions. If i could get new Rubys here in my country i would probably just stick with them.. but i can only buy Tung sols, JJ's or Electro Harmonix. Rubys are not available here. So, if there will be improvement in tone with Tung Sol/JJ mix that's cool. I can't lose anything, i am gonna experiment a little when the Rubys will die. I have the RD45 too, but i need to take it to the service, because, for some reason there is no sound from it anymore.. i runned the 45 through marshall 1960 cab for about a year, and the low end was incredible. i sold 1960 later, because i decided to try out some 2x12. the sound from Orange PPC112 is awesome too. 1x12's are directional and focused.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Re: Randall Diavlo RD-1 question about tube replacement
There won't be an improvement in tone. It will sound (slightly) different, and you may like it better or not. But I wouldn't say there will be an improvement. I dig those Chinese Rubies, personally. I dig Tung Sol and JJ 12AX7's too. I'm usually not a fan of EHX's myself, but the 12AU7 goes well with the amp's voicing, I think.
There won't be an improvement in tone. It will sound (slightly) different, and you may like it better or not. But I wouldn't say there will be an improvement. I dig those Chinese Rubies, personally. I dig Tung Sol and JJ 12AX7's too. I'm usually not a fan of EHX's myself, but the 12AU7 goes well with the amp's voicing, I think.
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