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Post by detuned on Apr 17, 2007 10:03:10 GMT -7
I hate tube rattle. It doesn't bother some folks, but bugs the heck out of me.
I have a Maz Jr NR 2X10 combo (world's longest amp name!), & I realize that the combos tend to rattle more, tubes eventually wear down, & that EL84's are called "buzz pencils" for a reason, but there must be something that can be done! :-)
What do *you* do to stave off the dreaded tube rattle? Can it be eliminated entirely? Are NOS tubes, or different brands less susceptible to the buzz?
Help a Z brother out!
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Post by zdogma on Apr 17, 2007 10:28:56 GMT -7
Its a problem.
I had it with my ghia, and my soldano astroverb and my pro junior. Tube rings help. They aren't perfect, but definately reduce it. You can also use a little rubber o ring or small ring of shrink wrap around the end of the tube. I use the Duende Critura rings from the tube store, expensive but they seem to last forever.
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Post by texasjim on Apr 17, 2007 10:52:37 GMT -7
Peavey Classic Series amps have that problem frequently. Some is "chassis rattle" and some is "tube rattle".
One guy builds a "Tube Tamer", which is a length of metal tubing with four holes drilled in the side, same spacing as the EL-84's. The tubing lays across the tips of the tubes, with the points inserted into the holes. There are two springs that hook into the piece of tubing, and then stretch to the chassis to hold it and the tubes down rigid, supposedly. I've seen a picture of it, but never in person, as my Peavey amps never had tube or chassis rattle.
I suppose you could Google and find it. I'd make one if I had the problem.
Ask Myles which EL-84's resist rattle best.
Texas Jim
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Post by genobluzgtr on Apr 18, 2007 2:26:11 GMT -7
check out this ebay seller's Tube Dampers. They are high-temp silicon rings that keep the glass on the tube from expanding as much when heated. It doesn't eliminate the really bad rattling but will minimize it a very noticeable amount. Lighter rattle simply goes away when I use these (I have them on every tube in every amp now, except the ones that have tube shields). search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZsandyphotoQQhtZ-1
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Post by detuned on Apr 19, 2007 10:40:53 GMT -7
Tube Dampers.
Got it, thanks!
:-)
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Post by DRZ on Apr 19, 2007 14:45:41 GMT -7
Tube Dampers. Got it, thanks! :-) They do work. I bought 500 and use them all EF-86 tubes now 2 on each. Amp Play Test has been shortened with much less headaches since using them. Z
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Post by detuned on Apr 20, 2007 13:53:25 GMT -7
Straight from the source: even better.
Being both impatient & a cheapskate at heart, I went downstairs & wrapped some rubber bands around the tubes this afternoon. Monday I have rehearsal, so we'll see how it works.
Thanks all!
:-)
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Post by Rockville on Apr 20, 2007 14:29:36 GMT -7
Peavey Classic Series amps have that problem frequently. Some is "chassis rattle" and some is "tube rattle". One guy builds a "Tube Tamer", which is a length of metal tubing with four holes drilled in the side, same spacing as the EL-84's. The tubing lays across the tips of the tubes, with the points inserted into the holes. There are two springs that hook into the piece of tubing, and then stretch to the chassis to hold it and the tubes down rigid, supposedly. I've seen a picture of it, but never in person, as my Peavey amps never had tube or chassis rattle. I suppose you could Google and find it. I'd make one if I had the problem. Ask Myles which EL-84's resist rattle best. Texas Jim I bought one of these and I had to remove it because it rattled too much. That was on a Peavey Classic. Good idea in principle but far from perfected yet.
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