dave
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by dave on Mar 17, 2006 14:00:00 GMT -7
The EL84 tubes on my '97 Ghia feel quite loose. The tubes push quite firmly into the socket but the socket itself (brown bakelite) wobbles about within the metal sleeve. If you rock one tube (they can really flap about despite being firmly gripped by the socket) the other wobbles in unison as well because of the resistor-cap link between the two tubes!
I think this affects the sound slightly - when I put the Ghia on the floor, not on the cab, the sound is tighter. When sitting on the cab there is a slight buzz in the sound when really cranked.
I'll get my tech to look at it when I get a chance, but just wondering - do the tube bases 'age' when run hot over the years, work loose and need replacing?
Or, should there be metal spring holding the tube down (err I mean up) like in my Z-28?
Or, is all this perfectly normal and my ears area playing tricks on me (as usual)?
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Post by Lefty on Mar 19, 2006 18:57:24 GMT -7
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dave
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by dave on Mar 20, 2006 9:02:43 GMT -7
Thanks - I thought they might have been missing. Found a UK supplier who has them for 60p each (bargain) who also makes and sells amp kits. Never come across him before. He sells a 'Mini Z' and a 'Ghia' Kit (well a 5w single ended EL84 amp and a 18w 2xEL84 plexi clone with only a volume and tone control. Spooky). www.ampmaker.com if anyone is interested.
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Post by myles on Mar 21, 2006 18:39:33 GMT -7
Sometimes it is just a simple matter of retensioning the tube pins themselves, especially on preamp tubes. That's why Aspen Pittman at GT came up with these a decade or more ago: www.groovetubes.com/product.cfm?Product_ID=1642 The one on the left of the photo. I have actually given a LOT of these out to folks at shows and when they come to my place. I am sure I have given a few to some of the folks in here too. They work great to re-align the pins on EL84's as well. Sometimes that is all that is needed.
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Post by Lefty on Mar 21, 2006 20:29:53 GMT -7
I have this one I got from Lord Valve years ago...a great tool to have.
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