david
New Member
Posts: 26
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Post by david on Jan 15, 2012 7:18:03 GMT -7
I've got a Stang Ray head and 2x12 cab that I really like. But one thing that challenges me are the frequent (compared to my other amps) tube changes which are required. Its just knowing WHEN to change them.
I gig with this amp and don't enjoy tube issues showing up at a gig. So obviously I want to replace the tubes prior to an issue developing. BUT, I hate the thought of pulling out good tubes that still have an unknown - perhaps significant - amount of life left in them just to avoid a meltdown during a gig.
How do you guys do approach this issue? Wait till an issue arises, or proactively pull out good tubes to avoid issues? If you change tubes prior to an issue developing, how to you determine when to do it?
Thanks!
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Post by 6strang (aka Paul) on Jan 15, 2012 7:51:00 GMT -7
El84 tubes burn out pretty quick. When i was gigging every weekend i would change the power tubes every 6 months. I knew it was time when the amp would lose some upper end chime/life and sound well...flat. Now that i am a home/church player they should last at least a year or more. YMMV. Great amp!
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Post by Norrin Radd on Jan 15, 2012 13:29:49 GMT -7
El84 tubes burn out pretty quick. When i was gigging every weekend i would change the power tubes every 6 months. I knew it was time when the amp would lose some upper end chime/life and sound well...flat. Now that i am a home/church player they should last at least a year or more. YMMV. Great amp! Yup. That's what I do on mine. I just listen for it. When that home starts to fade - time for new tubes. I always bring a backup amp to gigs though, just in case. Something could always go wrong not even related to tubes. I know it's a pain, but one extra head just isn't that bad to haul every time, IMO.
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Post by muzacman02 "Jamie" on Jan 15, 2012 13:35:52 GMT -7
The Ray Will lose its mojo, I will agrre with Paul the Ray goes through tubes if you're using alot. I like to replace mine at least every 6 mos when I'm gigging alot, I used a Recommendation from another Ray owner and used TAD tubes, It really made it more aggresive, Which I like ;D I know from experience if you let the tubes go too long it makes evrything work harder. The Ray RULES!!!
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david
New Member
Posts: 26
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Post by david on Jan 17, 2012 6:22:00 GMT -7
I heard somewhere that Brad Paisley has the tubes changed in his Z's almost weekly. Anyone know if that is fact or fiction?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2012 14:55:03 GMT -7
I put a piece of artist tape on the back of the chassis of my amps w date of last tube change. It helps.
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Post by wubberdubber on Jan 17, 2012 17:26:46 GMT -7
That's a good idea roscoe. There was a time not so long ago when I could expect to get almost a year out of my power tubes, and that was gigging every weekend...those days seem to be gone, and I'm lucky to get 6 months out of a set of EL84's, in pairs OR quads. I can usually just feel and/or hear it when they're going down, and prepare accordingly.
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david
New Member
Posts: 26
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Post by david on Jan 19, 2012 7:09:55 GMT -7
You know, I think I'll try that idea of the tape with the date of the last tube change AND put a check mark on the tape for each gig I play.
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on Jan 19, 2012 7:50:59 GMT -7
You know, I think I'll try that idea of the tape with the date of the last tube change AND put a check mark on the tape for each gig I play. Both great ideas, Roscoe and David..!
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Post by brickwalljackson on Jan 24, 2012 21:08:35 GMT -7
What the other guys said. I play the piss out of mine so it's every six months. Takes the guess work out. The Ray eats tubes, but I don't care because it's the best damn amplifier in the history of amplifiers.
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