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- Path: sparky!uunet!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!linac!att!cbnewsk!cbnewsj!att-out!cbfsb!cbnewsg.cb.att.com!kew
- From: kew@cbnewsg.cb.att.com (steve.w.askew)
- Subject: Re: Tube swapping/amp question
- Message-ID: <1992Dec21.162618.24450@cbfsb.cb.att.com>
- Summary: Tube swapping
- Sender: news@cbfsb.cb.att.com
- Organization: AT&T
- References: <BzGywo.yE@acsu.buffalo.edu>
- Distribution: usa
- Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 16:26:18 GMT
- Lines: 47
-
- In article <BzGywo.yE@acsu.buffalo.edu>, gebo@acsu.buffalo.edu (Tom Gebo) writes:
- >
- >
- > kew@cbnewsg.cb.att.com (steve.w.askew) suggested swapping the stock
- > tubes in an amp for certain different tube types. My question is how do you
- > determine which tubes are acceptable alternates for the stock tubes? Could
- > using the incorrect tubes possibly fry some other components in the amp? I
- > have a Carvin X100 that came with Groovetube EL84 and 12AX7's. The amp is
- > a few years old and I have noticed more hiss coming from it. Is this the
- > tubes? Is there a way that I could test them to see if they are shot? Besides
-
- No! the old TV tube testers give only limited applicable data for
- tubes used in guitar amps. Buy a couple of 12AX7's the can be had
- for under $10 each. If the amp is a few years old the more than
- likely need replacing.
- > the stock tubes, what would be some replacement choices? Finally, there is a
- > power selector switch on the back of the amp (25%, 50%, 100% of 100W), how does
- > this work? Does it actually lower some voltages or something, or is the amp
- > running at full output all the time and it just "soaks up" the extra power
- > somehow? I know this is a lot of questions, but if someone has the time to
- > reply I would appreciate it.
- >
- In the Carvin Im not sure, but in Marshall and Fender amps you could
- always remove the 2 outside power tubes to reduce the power by 50%.
- But you had better change the Impedence selector to compensate.
- > Thanks,
- > Tom
- >
- > gebo@artemis.eng.buffalo.edu
-
- Well this is what I understand. In the preamp section a 12AX7 is
- rated at a gain of 100. The other 2 tube types that I am familar
- with are the 12AT7 rated a gain of 75, and the 12AY7 rated at a
- gain of 50.
-
- As Far as Power Tubes 5881 are replacement for 6L6's but unless
- your going from a matched pair to a matched pair I would rebias.
- All other Power tube substitions are a mod, unless you own a modern
- amp has a switchable bias for EL34/6L6/6550/5881/6V6.
-
-
- For a excellent laymans explanation pick up Aspen Pittmans "Tube
- Amp III" this is a great book for the novice. Its not a bad book
- for the more experienced either.
-
- Steve
- Doin That Blues ThAng!
-