Sovtek KT88 lifespan?

[Gone_Shootin]

When I bought my Splawn, the original owner included the original Sovtek KT88s. According to him, they had 2 years of steady use before he had the 6550s installed.

I'm thinking about trying the KT88s and I'm wondering how much life they should have left in them in case I like them better than the 6550s?

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: Sovtek KT88 lifespan?

When I bought my Splawn, the original owner included the original Sovtek KT88s. According to him, they had 2 years of steady use before he had the 6550s installed.

I'm thinking about trying the KT88s and I'm wondering how much life they should have left in them in case I like them better than the 6550s?

Thats a tough one to answer..Tube life is based on alot of variables..How much the amp gets used,voltages that the tubes are exposed to,movement of the amp and vibration effects on tubes...Basically if the amp sounds good,doesn't seem to lack power,lows are tight and strong...Then the tubes are fine..If it ain't broke don't fix it works here also.

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Sovtek KT88 lifespan?

Thats a tough one to answer..Tube life is based on alot of variables..How much the amp gets used,voltages that the tubes are exposed to,movement of the amp and vibration effects on tubes...Basically if the amp sounds good,doesn't seem to lack power,lows are tight and strong...Then the tubes are fine..If it ain't broke don't fix it works here also.

Yep, I'm considering all of that as well. I read somewhere that Splawns run higher voltages in the poweramp (I wanna say it's 500 volts on either the plates, screens, or both, cant remember for sure), so that definetly is a factor. But according to the previous owner, they were working just fine when he had the 6550s installed. He was just getting nervous about all the use they've had.

Using them in the Splawn would help me get the next mod I have planned for my Marshall done (I want to run 6550s in it).

 

[Surgeon]

Re: Sovtek KT88 lifespan?

The only way to know is to use them. I always find it too bad when people just throw away tubes that were used but still working. It usually happens when you get a new used amp. I'm the first one to retube in those cases but I always keep the "original" ones as well. You'll never know when they can be useful and, if you ever sell the amp, you can put 'em back in and keep the ones you liked best...

 

[philthis]

Re: Sovtek KT88 lifespan?

Many people will tell you as the tube weakens you will find yourself turning up the treble. Newer tubes seem to have an over abundance of treble till there broken in. I have always just chucked old tubes but now I realize this can be a mistake as old tubes when burned in well tend to have maximum tonal character.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Sovtek KT88 lifespan?

Not related, but it's good to see you around, John.