Tubes turn bad

Re: Tubes turn bad

Generally, no. The light doesn't change color when they're "going" bad. If the "are" bad, then sometimes it can be characterized by an excessively "hot" looking red-ish glow, not the typical "ooh, that's a purdy orange" glow. Sometimes you get a blue "haze" on the inside surface of the glass, that's just some normal, run of the mill impurities getting hit by electrons, so don't worry, that's fine, and it looks cool too! ;) Now if it's a purple glow on the outside of the glass, then you've got issues. I can't remember what the cause of the purple glow is, but I'm sure some more knowledgeable tube guys will chime in. Google something like "Budda tube advice" there's this expert that answeres all these FAQ's about tubes, it's good stuff.
 
Re: Tubes turn bad

i don't know if its the tubes, can be the caps or something else .. the volume is going loud and soft while playing the guitar. sucks .. first time happening to me
 
Re: Tubes turn bad

Is it an older amp? It could be bad jacks. Take some contact cleaner and spray it on the jacks, or, if you're lazy like me, and don't want to go find your contact cleaner, just take a plug, and plug and unplug it in all the jacks like, 20 times, should take off any dirt, etc, that could be causing what I assume to be an intermittent signal.
 
Re: Tubes turn bad

Is it an older amp? It could be bad jacks. Take some contact cleaner and spray it on the jacks, or, if you're lazy like me, and don't want to go find your contact cleaner, just take a plug, and plug and unplug it in all the jacks like, 20 times, should take off any dirt, etc, that could be causing what I assume to be an intermittent signal.

Definitely try the contact cleaner method or it could also be a bad speaker cord.
 
Re: Tubes turn bad

if your volume is fluctuating, your power tubes could very well be on their way out. you might not be able to tell just by looking at them, but getting a new set is something to look into.
 
Re: Tubes turn bad

Is it an older amp? It could be bad jacks. Take some contact cleaner and spray it on the jacks, or, if you're lazy like me, and don't want to go find your contact cleaner, just take a plug, and plug and unplug it in all the jacks like, 20 times, should take off any dirt, etc, that could be causing what I assume to be an intermittent signal.

It has 2 inputs. Both inputs are giving the same problem of the volume fluctuating thingy. I don't think its the ports. I read on the web that tubes, which have some silver layer will turn brown when they're about to die out.
Mine does have the silver layer but its not in any colour.

Is this a myth or something to know about
 
Re: Tubes turn bad

38439664536094l.jpg


There are 2 Bias pots for this amp. Duhz ... I wish I know how to bias

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This pic shows the 6 power tubes(2 w/o tubes) for the amp. Anyone knows which bias pot is for which AND any has bias this amp before ?
Thanks
 
Re: Tubes turn bad

I think you can do that just for testing, but it's best to have it biased correctly to have the best sound possible and avoid tube problems. It doesn't matter if its same brand and model, all tubes are a bit different.
 
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