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Post by ss "Shane" on May 7, 2016 11:21:06 GMT -7
Simple question: do they exist?
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Post by kc on May 7, 2016 16:30:14 GMT -7
You're talking about the power tubes, correct? Pre-amp tubes should last much longer. What makes you believe the lifespan is 7 months? How many hours per day do you play the amp?
kc
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Post by ss "Shane" on May 7, 2016 16:46:30 GMT -7
My Ruby 12AX7 went out and I've only had the amp 7 months. How much playtime on the amp? Hard to say but I don't gig every weekend. Maybe a weekend a month, practices then just here at home.
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Post by "Z" Steve on May 7, 2016 17:05:12 GMT -7
It is best to splurge a bit on V1 and get a NOS tube, or at least buy from a dealer who burns them in for a day or so to make sure he/she is selling quality stuff. NOS power tubes are best saved for recording. Current production preamp tubes seem to be a crap shoot re reliability, so 7 months for the Ruby may be better than the next guys. Same with the rectifier (if your amp has one) get a NOS - more reliable.
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on May 7, 2016 18:22:23 GMT -7
^ Exactly what he said.
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Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2016 20:11:51 GMT -7
The first thing I did when I got my Therapy was replace the Ruby with a Mullard. Just saying...
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Post by Pete aka shouldb on May 8, 2016 0:46:08 GMT -7
been playing my Therapy for 18 months now - practice weekly, gig monthly - still has its original complement of tubes - still sounds awesome!
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Post by fishman on May 8, 2016 5:29:53 GMT -7
I have tubes that are 45+ years old no issues. Preamps older than that. I run em till they are shot. What is the point of having NOS tubes if they just sit there so people can look at them. Supposed to be heard so I have no problem playing them till they quit, however in over 50 years of playing I have never had a tube fail. Had a few go microphonic but never a failure. Lucky I guess...
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Post by jimiata on May 8, 2016 5:39:53 GMT -7
I mentioned in another post recently that the mid '70's Ampeg B15N bass amp I bought used in 1975/6 had the power tubes replaced at least once. This amp was played regularly from '75/6 'till last December when it was time to pass it on….with original rectifier and preamp tubes!
Jim
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Post by southmusic70 on May 8, 2016 6:03:27 GMT -7
I've changed out the tubes in my '67 Vibrolux Reverb one time since I got it new in '67, and it was my main amp for 20 years. Granted, it's not class A like a lot of the Z amps, but still a pretty good track record.
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Post by Mark (Basement Enthusiast) on May 8, 2016 7:28:05 GMT -7
I'm afraid all we've done is trade-off "affordability" (new-production tubes) with "lifespan" (NOS tubes).
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Post by ss "Shane" on May 9, 2016 5:13:48 GMT -7
Thanks for the replies! It's interesting reading about members here with long life tube stories. Growing up on old and new fender amps I can relate to tubes having long life. I had a Blues Jr. for 15 years with no tube failure and the same can be said for the rest of my former amps that now are "closet amps".
After being introduced to the Therapy I'm sure these amps will remain closet amps. With my Therapy I've had so many tone compliments so it's a keeper and it's my number one. After all, as a musician my goal is to throw a pleasing sound at my audience. Maybe I'm just gonna have to break down on NOS tubes, kind of like premium gasoline would go in a Lamborghini lol.
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Post by JasonM on May 9, 2016 8:13:46 GMT -7
I would agree with the nos suggestions. I use nos in v1 and rectifier spots in my Therapy. It sounds fantastic as is but I like the possible added reliability and longevity of good nos tubes.
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