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Post by myles on Jun 8, 2007 17:17:24 GMT -7
Myles - My Twin Reverb RI is about 4 years old, and I have never retubed it. Do you think the preamp tubes need changing? And I know the output tubes need changing. Which GT's would you recommend? Unless the amp is noisy, weak or microphonic in the front end the preamp tubes are probably fine. In the TRRI's I set up for folks I do change the stock V1, V2, and V5 to almost anything other than the stock Sovtek 12AX7WAs that come in the amp. The stock output tubes were the 6L6B(R) / Sovtek 5881 WXT. I replace these with 6L6GE #6 rating usually, biased at 30mA. If you want a less pricy quad the 6L6CHP black plate is also a great tube (but GT may be out of those at the moment in the middle ratings but GT dealers may have them in stock). Same 30mA and same rating as the GE's ... #6. If you want the amp to break up a little sooner drop to a 2 rating and bias at about 28mA to run colder and get a bit of grit due to increased cross over notch distortion.
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Post by eschak on Jun 9, 2007 6:36:41 GMT -7
Myles, Impedance affects: Assuming the same type of speakers and cabinet(speaker and amp impedance is matched the same)...how does the change in impedance affect the tone..2,4,8,16? What about the life of the tubes and components as they have to drive a higher load? in my case..a stang-ray with open back 2-12 Thanks Ed Match the impedance of the amp and speakers or performance will be a bit off one way (lower amp setting with higher speaker load) or the other way you risk destruction of the output transformer. Myles, I understand mismatching impedance is a bad thing. I only have 1 2-12 4 ohm cab (assume I could rewire it to 16 for an experiment)...so I haven't been able to a-b experiments. My question is relative effects on the amp if it is driving 4 ohms vs 16 and it is matched (stang-ray head can drive 4, 8, 16). Assuming the same speaker type. Tone: If you are driving 4 will the amp stay cleaner since it is driving less load? Dirtier or more overdriven is it drives a 16 ohm load? etc Tube and amp: Will the tubes last longer at 4 ohms vs 16 ohm load? other affects? Thanks Ed
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Post by squeallydan on Jun 10, 2007 10:14:56 GMT -7
Not sure if this is the place for this question but here goes.
My Maz Sr 2x12 is starting to make some noise. Which tubes should I cahnge to get rid of that? Power or preamp? This happened with my last Maz. When I changed tubes it went away. I just can't remember which tubes I changed. Thanks.
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Post by myles on Jun 11, 2007 9:23:59 GMT -7
Match the impedance of the amp and speakers or performance will be a bit off one way (lower amp setting with higher speaker load) or the other way you risk destruction of the output transformer. Myles, I understand mismatching impedance is a bad thing. I only have 1 2-12 4 ohm cab (assume I could rewire it to 16 for an experiment)...so I haven't been able to a-b experiments. My question is relative effects on the amp if it is driving 4 ohms vs 16 and it is matched (stang-ray head can drive 4, 8, 16). Assuming the same speaker type. Tone: If you are driving 4 will the amp stay cleaner since it is driving less load? Dirtier or more overdriven is it drives a 16 ohm load? etc Tube and amp: Will the tubes last longer at 4 ohms vs 16 ohm load? other affects? Thanks Ed Mismatching amp to cab impedance will affect tube life. Unless the amp is designed to mismatch on purpose (Bruce Zinky and the Fender Tone-Master) this is not a good idea on other amps.
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Post by myles on Jun 11, 2007 9:25:57 GMT -7
Not sure if this is the place for this question but here goes. My Maz Sr 2x12 is starting to make some noise. Which tubes should I cahnge to get rid of that? Power or preamp? This happened with my last Maz. When I changed tubes it went away. I just can't remember which tubes I changed. Thanks. Hmmm .... funny .... I can't remember what you changed to fix it last time either Rule #1 .... always document things .... when tubes were changed, bias setting on amps that have a bias adjustment, voltages if measured, etc. Noise? There are different noises from preamp tubes in the front end, preamp tubes in the end of the chain and power tubes. Since I cannot hear the noise it is going to be something of a trial and error thing on your part.
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Post by squeallydan on Jun 11, 2007 12:28:11 GMT -7
OK. This is a different amp than the one I previously changed tubes on. Thats why I said this happened with my "last Maz".
Its sort of a noise like when the TV is on static. It comes and goes and you can here it with the volume all the way down.
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Post by myles on Jun 11, 2007 17:32:35 GMT -7
OK. This is a different amp than the one I previously changed tubes on. Thats why I said this happened with my "last Maz". Its sort of a noise like when the TV is on static. It comes and goes and you can here it with the volume all the way down. Doesn't matter which MAZ is it ... the procedure is the same.
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Post by squeallydan on Jun 12, 2007 7:37:12 GMT -7
OK. This is a different amp than the one I previously changed tubes on. Thats why I said this happened with my "last Maz". Its sort of a noise like when the TV is on static. It comes and goes and you can here it with the volume all the way down. Doesn't matter which MAZ is it ... the procedure is the same. I understand that! Just trying to clear up my previous statement. I'll start trying some new tubes until the noise goes away. Thanks.
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jesse
New Member
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Post by jesse on Jun 13, 2007 12:38:46 GMT -7
Can anyone here tell me how different a RX-ES will sound w/a Celestion Gold vs. a Weber Blue Alnico? I heard an RX-ES at mass st. music w/the Gold and it seemed like it sounded a lot better than my combo w/the Weber, but I didn't have mine with me to A/B.
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Post by myles on Jun 13, 2007 16:01:57 GMT -7
Can anyone here tell me how different a RX-ES will sound w/a Celestion Gold vs. a Weber Blue Alnico? I heard an RX-ES at mass st. music w/the Gold and it seemed like it sounded a lot better than my combo w/the Weber, but I didn't have mine with me to A/B. I will let somebody else answer this one! This is sort of like asking for differences on two kinds of food. Actually, this would be a great question to pose to Ted Weber in his column here.
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Post by fuzzkarl on Jun 14, 2007 19:54:18 GMT -7
Myles,I had a ? about the Airbreak. I tried posting it in the Airbreak section,but it went unresponded for weeks,so I thought I'd delete it & run it by you,here. I got an AB recently,played a good handful of gigs & was noticing (and it seems I've read here others have too)that it seems to effect the amount that my pedals boost & I can't seem to get up over the regular mix for leads. So it accured to me,sence the AB is ment to be adjusted on the fly. It would be great if I could un-attinuate the amp with a footswitch in steps like the knob works .
Is this at all fiesable?(sorry Im a horrible speller) Thanks
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Post by myles on Jun 15, 2007 7:44:52 GMT -7
Myles,I had a ? about the Airbreak. I tried posting it in the Airbreak section,but it went unresponded for weeks,so I thought I'd delete it & run it by you,here. I got an AB recently,played a good handful of gigs & was noticing (and it seems I've read here others have too)that it seems to effect the amount that my pedals boost & I can't seem to get up over the regular mix for leads. So it accured to me,sence the AB is ment to be adjusted on the fly. It would be great if I could un-attinuate the amp with a footswitch in steps like the knob works . Is this at all fiesable?(sorry Im a horrible speller) Thanks Your idea would work fine but it would make the unit much more costly and complex.
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Post by fuzzkarl on Jun 15, 2007 8:49:50 GMT -7
How about putting it in a loop to bypass it altogether. That might be more of a jump then I need at some settings,but maybe worth a shot.
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Post by myles on Jun 15, 2007 10:45:13 GMT -7
How about putting it in a loop to bypass it altogether. That might be more of a jump then I need at some settings,but maybe worth a shot. I would leave it alone.
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Post by fuzzkarl on Jun 15, 2007 11:51:58 GMT -7
Fair enough,thanks
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 20, 2007 17:34:11 GMT -7
Hi Myles. I have a question for you about my Maz and its current preamp tube selection. I currently have two Sovtek 12AX7's in the V5 (12AX7LPS) and V4 (12AX7WB) slot of my Maz. These came with the amp when I bought it new. V3 is a GT 12AT7, and V2 and V1 are both GT 12AX7M's. V1 and V2 came in the amp when I bought it new. My question is whether I can replace V4 and V5 with the GT 12AX7M's, and what the difference would be tonally. I just wonder because I read your article on phase inverters and how important they are. I am wondering if replacing V4 and V5 with the 12AX7M would be a good choice, and what kind of differences in tone I would see if I replaced the two Sovteks with the GT 12AX7M. In addition, I am assuming V3 is the phase inverter spot on the Maz 18 Jr.? Thanks for your time and patience in reading my post! (P.S. my power tubes are GT EL-84S's which also came with the amp, and a Sovtek 5AR4 rectifier).
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Post by myles on Jun 21, 2007 8:33:47 GMT -7
Hi Myles. I have a question for you about my Maz and its current preamp tube selection. I currently have two Sovtek 12AX7's in the V5 (12AX7LPS) and V4 (12AX7WB) slot of my Maz. These came with the amp when I bought it new. A Sovtek 12AX7LPS in V5 is one of my favorite tubes to use in this phase inverter position. I also use 5751's at times in this position. The long plate LPS has a nice breakdown that is smoother than most short plate 12AX7 types.
V4 is a reverb return and the WB or WC Sovtek is a good tube in that position.V3 is a GT 12AT7 - This is the proper tube for the reverb driverand V2 and V1 are both GT 12AX7M's. V1 and V2 came in the amp when I bought it new. My question is whether I can replace V4 and V5 with the GT 12AX7M's, and what the difference would be tonally. I just wonder because I read your article on phase inverters and how important they are. I personally do not care for the M in V1 or V2 of this amp. It is a personal taste thing on my part, I find them too dark. I like a 12AX7R3 in V1 and ECC83S in V2. You can also swap them and get another nice tonal change. This is a very cost effective way of doing things.
Now if you want to hear something pretty stellar, In V1 use a Brimar NOS and in V2 and RFT NOS. Mike at www.kcanostubes.com has these. You can use the M's in V4 and V5 but the only change you will notice will be due to the output and gain of the M vs the original tubes. This is a spin of the wheel as the tubes have not been spec'd or traced and we have no idea where they sit.I am wondering if replacing V4 and V5 with the 12AX7M would be a good choice, and what kind of differences in tone I would see if I replaced the two Sovteks with the GT 12AX7M. In addition, I am assuming V3 is the phase inverter spot on the Maz 18 Jr.? V3 is the phase inverter spot if the the amp is a MAZ 18NR (non reverb). If the amp has reverb then V5 is the phase inverter.Thanks for your time and patience in reading my post! (P.S. my power tubes are GT EL-84S's which also came with the amp, and a Sovtek 5AR4 rectifier). Stick with the EL84S in a 5-6 rating. Always carry a spare rectifier. If you have a few extra dollars grab any NOS 5AR4/GZ34 and just pull the stock Sovtek one and keep it as a backup. With an NOS rectifier in the amp you will probably never need the backup unless the amp is dropped and the rectifier breaks.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2007 9:54:02 GMT -7
Great explanation.........you have a talent for breaking down things and explaining them........I appreciate the reply......thanks!
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Post by billyguitar on Jun 21, 2007 13:23:53 GMT -7
Myles, I have a pair of Groove Tube KT66s from the first batch they made about 10 or 12 years ago. How do those stack up to the new crop?
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Post by myles on Jun 21, 2007 13:44:25 GMT -7
Great explanation.........you have a talent for breaking down things and explaining them........I appreciate the reply......thanks! You are welcome although over at GT folks tell me that when they ask Aspen or myself what time it is we try to explain how to build a watch. Old addage but it always gets tossed our way
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Post by myles on Jun 21, 2007 13:46:22 GMT -7
Myles, I have a pair of Groove Tube KT66s from the first batch they made about 10 or 12 years ago. How do those stack up to the new crop? All I can say is hang onto them. They are better than anything made today, are no longer being made, and make a Route 66, JTM-45, or Bluebreaker just sing like nothing else short of the NOS GEC and the ones you have will handle over 525 plate volts with ease.
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Post by billyguitar on Jun 21, 2007 20:20:31 GMT -7
Sweet! I'll have to put them in my Route 66.
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Post by myles on Jun 22, 2007 9:44:13 GMT -7
Sweet! I'll have to put them in my Route 66. They are actually the tube that the Doc designed the Route 66 around
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Post by billyguitar on Jun 22, 2007 11:25:13 GMT -7
Well that's cool to know. Thanks Myles. I'm going to use my 66 tomorrow and I'll pop 'em in. I'm also going to take my old tweed Tremolux with a Celestion ndym Century in it. It'll be a doubley cool day, except it's a 3 hour gig in the sun. I'm gonna melt!!
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Post by John on Jun 25, 2007 7:31:34 GMT -7
Myles, I posted this in the speakers and cabinet section too:
Does anyone have any knowledge about comparing the following:
All things being equal (if possible), what's the volume difference between one 100db 12 inch speaker, and two 96db 12 inch speakers.
I figure the 2x12 at 96db is still going to be louder, simply because there's two of them. But does anyone know for sure?
I'm sure there's a mathematical formula out there, but I can't find it. (Not that I even want to)
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Post by myles on Jun 25, 2007 8:55:14 GMT -7
Well that's cool to know. Thanks Myles. I'm going to use my 66 tomorrow and I'll pop 'em in. I'm also going to take my old tweed Tremolux with a Celestion ndym Century in it. It'll be a doubley cool day, except it's a 3 hour gig in the sun. I'm gonna melt!! Try to stay cool
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Post by myles on Jun 25, 2007 8:57:05 GMT -7
Myles, I posted this in the speakers and cabinet section too: Does anyone have any knowledge about comparing the following: All things being equal (if possible), what's the volume difference between one 100db 12 inch speaker, and two 96db 12 inch speakers. I figure the 2x12 at 96db is still going to be louder, simply because there's two of them. But does anyone know for sure? I'm sure there's a mathematical formula out there, but I can't find it. (Not that I even want to) Post this in the Ted Weber thread .... talk about the right guy for the question!
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Post by Strato on Jun 25, 2007 21:55:19 GMT -7
Myles... Happy Birthday BTW...
I want another alnico speaker to go along with my weber 30w alnico blue dog in my cab paired with my Maz Jr head. I love the chime... Even more would be great.
I am really thinking about the Alnico Gold... I am afraid that the Blue will break up too soon and have a flabby bottom. And it looks like they only offer the Gold in 15 Ohms, not 16. Will this matter? And, Do you have a recommendation on which speaker I should use?
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Post by myles on Jun 26, 2007 9:37:54 GMT -7
Myles... Happy Birthday BTW... I want another alnico speaker to go along with my weber 30w alnico blue dog in my cab paired with my Maz Jr head. I love the chime... Even more would be great. I am really thinking about the Alnico Gold... I am afraid that the Blue will break up too soon and have a flabby bottom. And it looks like they only offer the Gold in 15 Ohms, not 16. Will this matter? And, Do you have a recommendation on which speaker I should use? 16 vs 15 ohms is no matter. On the speaker choice itself, post this in the Ask Ted Weber thread. Myles
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jaamz2
Full Member
^Those have come here to hate should leave now, for in their hatred they only betray themselves.....
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Post by jaamz2 on Jun 26, 2007 17:14:59 GMT -7
new guy amp question..... i was playing a maz 38 and vht ab'd when i started getting a strange sound. after ruling out cords and guitars i narrowed it down to the maz 38 nr being played thru a z best..... when i play the strings fretted it sounds like i am playing a 12 string. i took pedals out of loop strait to amp... was wondering if that what it sound like when a tube goes microphonic or just bad...... any suggestions? talked to the dr and a course of action is underway..... will let you know how it turns out :] jb
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