Post by 1juicy1 on Feb 6, 2012 17:11:29 GMT -7
Hi, I was just sharing an inexpensive DIY project I just completed on my Maz 18 NR combo that solved my tube rattle and microphonic PI problems. Ever since I bought my Maz new a couple years ago I've had problems with my Phase Inverter tube rattling and going microphonic. I've gone through the Sovtek LPS's llike crazy. I do think it is the best sounding PI but very susceptible to microphonics. Well after recently swapping speakers to a WGS ET-65 (very, very bass heavy) now all my tubes were rattling. It was driving me nuts and unusable for recording. Here was my solution and it works fabulously! First I purchased 6 silicon tube damper rings(I doubled-up, 2 per 12ax7a) from a guy (outahear) on The Gear Page classifieds. He sells them for $1.00 each and they are nice and heavy quality. Eurotubes (JJ dealer in Oregon) sells a super wide damper for about $3-4 each. You would only need one of their damper rings per tube. Next I purchased 3 tube spring containers from 'Amplified Parts' on Amazon.com www.amazon.com/Vacuum-Retainer-12AX7-12AT7-12AU7/dp/B005IYV0GG/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1328572824&sr=1-1
They are $1.75 each. Now just use a small phillips screwdriver, remove the 2 screws from the stock tube can bases, install the new retainers and DONE! No more rattle, period. In fact, I reinstalled 2 of the Sovtek LPS's that I thought were bad and they work perfectly. I think all combo amps should come this way from the factory, it wouldn't cost much extra. I called and asked some tube experts if the stock shielding cans provided any actual radio shielding and I was told very little. In fact the consensus was that the can type retainers actually contribute to tube rattle. I played at church this last Sunday and my amp was dead quiet. Anyway hope this helps!
They are $1.75 each. Now just use a small phillips screwdriver, remove the 2 screws from the stock tube can bases, install the new retainers and DONE! No more rattle, period. In fact, I reinstalled 2 of the Sovtek LPS's that I thought were bad and they work perfectly. I think all combo amps should come this way from the factory, it wouldn't cost much extra. I called and asked some tube experts if the stock shielding cans provided any actual radio shielding and I was told very little. In fact the consensus was that the can type retainers actually contribute to tube rattle. I played at church this last Sunday and my amp was dead quiet. Anyway hope this helps!