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Topic: TUBE AMPS

GOOD AFTERNOON CHORDIANS!
Tubes:  We all love them, but it’s like ice cream, some vanilla taste better than others, also we all have our own taste (as all things in life).  This being said, after really getting into some of our topics I ended up with a case of AAS (Amp Acquisition Syndrome).  As much as I would like sell the two I have, the fact is the Berhinger 1x12 V-Tone is not worth that much being cosmetically broken (the input jack is shade tree fixed, though a good one and one of the effects knobs is broke at the stem but still works).  My other amp is the first generation Bugera Vintage 5 (V5).  The newer ones have had the infinium circuit and the upgraded Turbosound speaker.
I can’t run out and buy a Blackstar, Peavey 6505 (God I wish!), or Mesa (kill me now) even a 20W combo are not even in the picture, nor is any new amp, I looked into upgrading my Bugera.  First mods and really the only ones affordable.  New tubes and speaker.  After a lot of reading and then talking to the “Tube Guy” at  Tommy’s Guitar shop (local owned and been around forever!).  I was aksing about the “Flavors” of different 12AX7’s and EL34’s.  I learned that JJ tubes are very good and that JJ also produces the MESA tubes To a high and stringent performance spec.  Higher than the basic JJ tubes.  So yep, I went with a MESA 12AX7. (25 bucks) Most power tubes come in pairs, and JJ has them in single order option, Since JJ makes the tubes for MESA, I went with their EL34.  It also is priced nice at a nice $13.00.  I am also switching out the speaker to a Celestion Eight 15.  This provides more of a rock tone than the Turbosound or Jensen from all reviews and advice from “The Tube Guy” LOL.  So I will be waiting for my presents to myself. And I will not swap till all parts are in my hands.  Ill make some sound demos of stock, then the new tubes, and then the new speaker with new tubes.

P.S. IF YOU READ THIS FAR, THANKS AND LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS.

“Find your own sound.  Dont be a second rateYngwie Malmsteen be a first rate you”

– George Lynch 2013 (Dokken, Lynchmob, KXM, Tooth & Nail etc....)
  • From: Probably Somewhere
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Re: TUBE AMPS

I love playing with different tubes for sound. You just found a new rabbit hole! Have fun!!!

  • From: Nova Scotia, Canada
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Re: TUBE AMPS

Hey Beamer ...

You've done a pile of research on this, which is always the best way to start. If I may suggest a lower-cost alternative to the Celestion speaker line, have a look at Warehouse Guitar Speakers. They have an extensive line with comparable matches to almost everything in Celestion's stable, at approx. half the price:

https://wgsusa.com/

I replaced the stock speakers in my Peavey VK212 a couple years ago with WGS speakers, and they're dynamite. Their chart gives the approx. Celestion equivalents, so you can pick what you want for sound easily.

All the best!

  • From: Perth
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Re: TUBE AMPS

Sounds like you've done a lot of research into it, I still run stock tubes in my HK18 ...

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  • From: Scott County, Virginia, U.S.A.
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Re: TUBE AMPS

Research, research and more research is usually the best way to proceed with a major expenditure,  I start out that way, but in the end I always go with my "gut" decision. Newer aint always the best,  it sounds like the Berhinger is worth fixing, looks aren't everything (but then again I was always the last guy to leave the bar).

Live in the "now" - a contentment of the moment - the past is gone - the future doesn't exist - all we ever really have is now and it's always "now".
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Re: TUBE AMPS

Bluejeep

hysterical last line !! LOL    smile  smile smile

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7 Reply by beamer (edited by beamer 2017-12-03 18:05:26)

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Re: TUBE AMPS

THANKS GUYS, 
- Well as always TF I find this out AFTER I pay LOL.   I'm not worried the 8 inch Celestion was only 30 bucks. the JJ power tube was 13 (and Musicians friend has the 17% off sale right now)  and the MESA was 25 so  +/- $60 is not a bad  investment.

- Neo depending on how old it is you may want to consider the tube upgrade also,  In the words of  one of the Roy Blankenship (famous amp customizer' in N. Hollywood,)  "Just cause its old  it does not mean is valuable or good, parts get old and NEED to be replaced"  this is a great vid, you may want to watch 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz3XDNmiIvo&t=512s

- Blue Jeep  I found a page with a guy hot rodded the V5 and can make it a 10 Watt, but hell after all his mods  and the cost, I could just buy a high out put Black star! LOL

“Find your own sound.  Dont be a second rateYngwie Malmsteen be a first rate you”

– George Lynch 2013 (Dokken, Lynchmob, KXM, Tooth & Nail etc....)
  • From: Perth
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Re: TUBE AMPS

beamer wrote:

- Neo depending on how old it is you may want to consider the tube upgrade also,  In the words of  one of the Roy Blankenship (famous amp customizer' in N. Hollywood,)  "Just cause its old  it does not mean is valuable or good, parts get old and NEED to be replaced"  this is a great vid, you may want to watch 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz3XDNmiIvo&t=512s

It's this one: http://hughes-and-kettner.com/products/ … r-18-head/

Not sure of the age, I got it second hand a couple of years ago now, but I haven't really been using it that much ...

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Re: TUBE AMPS

neophytte wrote:
beamer wrote:

- Neo depending on how old it is you may want to consider the tube upgrade also,  In the words of  one of the Roy Blankenship (famous amp customizer' in N. Hollywood,)  "Just cause its old  it does not mean is valuable or good, parts get old and NEED to be replaced"  this is a great vid, you may want to watch 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz3XDNmiIvo&t=512s

It's this one: http://hughes-and-kettner.com/products/ … r-18-head/

Not sure of the age, I got it second hand a couple of years ago now, but I haven't really been using it that much ...

watching that vid is still a great lesson in why things work smile

“Find your own sound.  Dont be a second rateYngwie Malmsteen be a first rate you”

– George Lynch 2013 (Dokken, Lynchmob, KXM, Tooth & Nail etc....)
  • From: Perth
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Re: TUBE AMPS

beamer wrote:
neophytte wrote:
beamer wrote:

- Neo depending on how old it is you may want to consider the tube upgrade also,  In the words of  one of the Roy Blankenship (famous amp customizer' in N. Hollywood,)  "Just cause its old  it does not mean is valuable or good, parts get old and NEED to be replaced"  this is a great vid, you may want to watch 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz3XDNmiIvo&t=512s

It's this one: http://hughes-and-kettner.com/products/ … r-18-head/

Not sure of the age, I got it second hand a couple of years ago now, but I haven't really been using it that much ...

watching that vid is still a great lesson in why things work smile

I'm watching it right now smile

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Re: TUBE AMPS

The amp I take as a backup if the system where I am playing  is  Roland AC-90solid state amp because it travels nicely.  I have only used it two times when  the amp in the local sound system did not work. At one place their system went out completely in the middle of a concert and the other was for charity and they did not have a system. I bought this one new and it also has a case.

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Re: TUBE AMPS

They are here!
https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/24312656_10215609028078059_316225228166527362_n.jpg?oh=85a926c20f67edfbe34a645a61354ac0&oe=5AD1849F

“Find your own sound.  Dont be a second rateYngwie Malmsteen be a first rate you”

– George Lynch 2013 (Dokken, Lynchmob, KXM, Tooth & Nail etc....)

13 Reply by Tenement Funster (edited by Tenement Funster 2017-12-07 19:21:39)

  • From: Nova Scotia, Canada
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Re: TUBE AMPS

Nice!!!

Great choice to go with EL34's instead their "swap-able" counterparts (6L6's). EL34's break up nicer (IMHO) to get that fat & crunchy Marshall tone, whereas 6L6's tend to have a bit more sparkle and twang. Does your amp self-bias, or are the tubes pre-biased for it?

Happy NTD, Beamer!

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Re: TUBE AMPS

Tenement Funster wrote:

Nice!!!

Great choice to go with EL34's instead their "swap-able" counterparts (6L6's). EL34's break up nicer (IMHO) to get that fat & crunchy Marshall tone, whereas 6L6's tend to have a bit more sparkle and twang. Does your amp self-bias, or are the tubes pre-biased for it?

Happy NTD, Beamer!


From everything I learned, with only 1 pre amp tube and 1 power tube,  there is no need to worry about biasing (even the amp guy in the above listed  vid mentions that and i think I can trust him lol)

“Find your own sound.  Dont be a second rateYngwie Malmsteen be a first rate you”

– George Lynch 2013 (Dokken, Lynchmob, KXM, Tooth & Nail etc....)
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Re: TUBE AMPS

Next on the list is a micro 4X8 half stack smile By raping the V5 of its new speaker and buying 3 more (@ 30 bucks a pop its more than affordable) Celestion's, I can make a nice cab, and then taking a saw to the V5 box, I can fit it into a nice looking head.  I will rename it as I did my Berhinger into a Triumph amp.  I have another tank badge I can use smile

“Find your own sound.  Dont be a second rateYngwie Malmsteen be a first rate you”

– George Lynch 2013 (Dokken, Lynchmob, KXM, Tooth & Nail etc....)
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Re: TUBE AMPS

Put the links to the after tubes in the Electric area.
ill post the b4 sound bite there also.

“Find your own sound.  Dont be a second rateYngwie Malmsteen be a first rate you”

– George Lynch 2013 (Dokken, Lynchmob, KXM, Tooth & Nail etc....)
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Re: TUBE AMPS

This is where I have to Quote Shakespeare in Hamlet.  As Hamlet said.  TUBEY or not TUBEY.  I had to do that.

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Re: TUBE AMPS

joeyjoeyjoey wrote:

This is where I have to Quote Shakespeare in Hamlet.  As Hamlet said.  TUBEY or not TUBEY.  I had to do that.

Dang!!! That's the corniest pun I've ever read ... wish I'd thought of it! lol

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Re: TUBE AMPS

Tenement Funster wrote:
joeyjoeyjoey wrote:

This is where I have to Quote Shakespeare in Hamlet.  As Hamlet said.  TUBEY or not TUBEY.  I had to do that.

Dang!!! That's the corniest pun I've ever read ... wish I'd thought of it! lol

+1!

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