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Post by deaconblues on Dec 18, 2012 7:09:08 GMT -7
My '03 Ghia has a voracious appetite for V1 preamp tubes. Halfway through our gig last night I had to replace the third one in about two months. These are NOS tubes so I'm inclined to think it's not bad tubes. Any ideas?
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Dec 18, 2012 9:04:14 GMT -7
What are the symptoms?
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Post by deaconblues on Dec 18, 2012 13:56:09 GMT -7
Starts to lose volume and then dies completely. Rectifier seems to be running hotter than normal, also.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Dec 18, 2012 17:32:40 GMT -7
Have you tried cleaning the tube sockets with DeOxit or another cleaner? I'm wondering if the tubes are just losing conductivity to the socket.
Have you confirmed that the tubes are "dead" by trying them in another amp or in another position in the Ghia?
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Post by deaconblues on Dec 18, 2012 17:49:58 GMT -7
Didn't have much time today to commit to tracking down the problem. I'll check the tubes and sockets tomorrow. Thanks, Steve.
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Post by DRZ on Dec 19, 2012 1:28:34 GMT -7
Have you tried cleaning the tube sockets with DeOxit or another cleaner? I'm wondering if the tubes are just losing conductivity to the socket. Have you confirmed that the tubes are "dead" by trying them in another amp or in another position in the Ghia? Again for the hundreth time I concure with Steve. The Chicago made black " Connector Corp." sockets don't hold up as well as some, especially in a 10 year amp in position V1 that may have lot's of NOS tubes swapped in during tone tasteing sessions. You can eliminate that problem by installing a new Belton ( brown) 9 pin socket, if in fact the socket is the problem. A loose socket will cause problems like you are having . Also don't think that what is left of NOS 12AX7 are so superior anymore. I use about 600 pre amp tubes a month and refuse to purchase NOS 12AX7's anymore. Nothing left but stems and seeds for the most part, but slick tube salesmen will tell you differant when they offer you a $60.00 12AX7. The Mica spacers are 40 years old in a 1970 circa tube and quickly deteriate from use in a hot guitar amp. But your problem does seem to be a streched out V1 socket, from the little data given. DR.Z
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Post by deaconblues on Dec 19, 2012 7:22:11 GMT -7
Thanks, Doc. I'll have it on the bench as soon as I finish my morning cup of java.
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Post by deaconblues on Dec 19, 2012 17:31:25 GMT -7
Turns out it WAS the tube socket. I cleaned and re-tensioned the black Connector Corp. socket. I'll order up some Belton sockets and replace all of the sockets in this amp. Thanks Steve and Doc.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Dec 19, 2012 17:43:44 GMT -7
Good news! Always nice to see an easy problem rectified. And now you have a pocket full of NOS tubes you can use. NICE!
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