Eurotube Site |
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Nov 25 2008, 12:36 PM
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Someone a few weeks ago mentioned this site. It really will answer your tube amp questions. I have had a Carvin 50 Bel Air tube amp sitting for 6 months after blowing a fuse, but now I have diagnosed the problem (using the page at the site)
https://ssl.eurotubes.com/euro-i.htm?page=faq#2. And I will not even think of taking my amp to a tech to replace tubes, there is absolutely no need, you can do this kind of thing yourself (determine your problems are tube related, and then take care of replacement and biasing yourself.) Provided you are not mentally deficient, drunk, or both. The key is watching your tubes. You can tell which is bad by testing as he said.... 1) Take out the power tubes. Turn on the amp. If it does not blow a fuse, you problem is probably tube related. 2) Turn off the amp. Put the 1st tube in (make sure you kept them in order when you took them out). Turn on the amp, and watch the tubes. If the metal plate starts to heat up and glow, turn it off, you found a bad tube. Or if the blue lights in the middle of the tube don't turn on. 3) If the first tube was fine (you can actually play your guitar with only 1 of the 4 installed...at least I could), then turn off the amp, put the second tube in, and watch the tubes for 5 minutes. You can tell bad tubes by how they look when turned on. And when one goes bad, it will cause the others to go bad (or blow a fuse). In my case I had one that was clearly bad. It looked like the others at standby, but when I turned on the amp (out of standby) the blue lights in the middle of that tube did not come on. Then I would see other tubes with the metal plating starting to glow orange (you immediately turn off the amp when you see this...you don't want to blow the transformer). After substituting for the bad tube, I found I had a second tube that still functions, but it clearly is about to blow, other tube's plating would start to glow after a few minutes. That should not happen. It also looked different at standby, the light at the top was brighter than on the others. Just watch for inconsistencies to help you diagnose the problem. Anyway, I now know that my amp is fine, just needs a new set of tubes. I think what happened was tube 4 shorted out, and this effected tube 3 before the fuse blew, and so tube 3 would do the same thing if I used it. Anyway, the site is great, thanks for whoever mentioned it, you learn a lot from the forum. Just be sure to read all he writes. For example, you need to clean your sockets, he says that is important. This post has been edited by fkalich: Nov 25 2008, 12:56 PM |
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Nov 25 2008, 02:08 PM
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Some amps don't allow it, but some good quality amps can run even with just one tube, just like tank can run with just about any fuel
-------------------- - Ivan's Video Chat Lesson Notes HERE
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Nov 25 2008, 03:13 PM
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QUOTE (fkalich @ Nov 25 2008, 01:04 PM)  I will definitely buy from the guy. Well invested money! Customer care, he's available for questions also after you've payed for your tubes and things. spray some electric spray on the pins of the old tubes you're replacing, jack em in and out of the socked a couple of times before you plug the new one in. I learned that from him and it makes perfect sence, of course the sockets should be cleaned before you start using new tubes. :-) -------------------- My bands homepage
All time favourites: B. Streisand - Woman in Love, M. Hopkin - Those were the days, L. Richie - Hello |
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Nov 25 2008, 06:06 PM
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QUOTE (fkalich @ Nov 25 2008, 12:36 PM) Someone a few weeks ago mentioned this site. It really will answer your tube amp questions. I have had a Carvin 50 Bel Air tube amp sitting for 6 months after blowing a fuse, but now I have diagnosed the problem (using the page at the site) https://ssl.eurotubes.com/euro-i.htm?page=faq#2. And I will not even think of taking my amp to a tech to replace tubes, there is absolutely no need, you can do this kind of thing yourself (determine your problems are tube related, and then take care of replacement and biasing yourself.) Provided you are not mentally deficient, drunk, or both. The key is watching your tubes. You can tell which is bad by testing as he said.... 1) Take out the power tubes. Turn on the amp. If it does not blow a fuse, you problem is probably tube related. 2) Turn off the amp. Put the 1st tube in (make sure you kept them in order when you took them out). Turn on the amp, and watch the tubes. If the metal plate starts to heat up and glow, turn it off, you found a bad tube. Or if the blue lights in the middle of the tube don't turn on. 3) If the first tube was fine (you can actually play your guitar with only 1 of the 4 installed...at least I could), then turn off the amp, put the second tube in, and watch the tubes for 5 minutes. You can tell bad tubes by how they look when turned on. And when one goes bad, it will cause the others to go bad (or blow a fuse). In my case I had one that was clearly bad. It looked like the others at standby, but when I turned on the amp (out of standby) the blue lights in the middle of that tube did not come on. Then I would see other tubes with the metal plating starting to glow orange (you immediately turn off the amp when you see this...you don't want to blow the transformer). After substituting for the bad tube, I found I had a second tube that still functions, but it clearly is about to blow, other tube's plating would start to glow after a few minutes. That should not happen. It also looked different at standby, the light at the top was brighter than on the others. Just watch for inconsistencies to help you diagnose the problem. Anyway, I now know that my amp is fine, just needs a new set of tubes. I think what happened was tube 4 shorted out, and this effected tube 3 before the fuse blew, and so tube 3 would do the same thing if I used it. Anyway, the site is great, thanks for whoever mentioned it, you learn a lot from the forum. Just be sure to read all he writes. For example, you need to clean your sockets, he says that is important. Thanks! I needed this. |
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Nov 27 2008, 01:28 PM
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Bob is awesome guy,I bought several tube kits from them
and got answers for every single question I asked,highly recommended.
-------------------- Youtube
MySpace Website Album "Let It Out" on iTunes and CD Baby Check out my video lessons and instructor board! The Pianist tune is progress,check it out! "ok.. it is great.. :P have you myspace? Can i to personalize this for you guy?" |
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