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Post by schoolyd on Jan 5, 2017 10:42:49 GMT -7
Last night I was playing, put my amp on standby, changed guitars and flipped the standby switch to off. There was a funny little sizzle then nothing. No light, sound, nothing. The fuse did not blow which makes me nervous. Has anybody had this problem?
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Post by headshrinker (Marc) on Jan 5, 2017 11:12:10 GMT -7
Check the fuse with a meter if you didn't. They can look good to the eye but be blown. If it's good, you likely had a rectifier go. If you don't have a meter get a couple of new ones and try one. When the rectifier goes the amp goes dead. Amp problems are 99% tube problems. Not likely an amp problem. Don't worry. Sometimes when a rectifier goes it takes out a power tube resister. Worth checking if it was the rectifier. Usually a new one will get you back in business. With tube amps you should always have a spare set of power tubes, rectifier and at least one, better two 12AX7s or other preamp tubes if it uses something different.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jan 5, 2017 18:24:32 GMT -7
^^^^ What Marc says! My guess is rectifier. Welcome to the Forum - a lot of good people and information here!
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Post by Marshalldog on Jan 5, 2017 21:08:42 GMT -7
My Maz 18 NR is the first amp I've ever owned with a rectifier tube and I was wondering how often do you change them. Do they last as long as power tubes or should they be changed more often? Are there signs of a power tube going before it goes?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2017 22:10:38 GMT -7
My Maz 18 NR is the first amp I've ever owned with a rectifier tube and I was wondering how often do you change them. Do they last as long as power tubes or should they be changed more often? Are there signs of a power tube going before it goes? I've been fortunate. I haven't had a rectifier tube go on me (knock on wood). Power tubes, on the other hand, they seem to burn out, and burn out bright!!! I actually got 12 months solid usage out of two sets of JJ EL844's (I yanked them out of my Maz 38 before I sold it), then when they started to fade, I burned through a regular set of JJ's in less than a month (with broken tube glass and all), and then had a set of Preferred Series 7189's fail almost instantly. Interesting story on the broken JJ. It lost vacuum at some point during a set, and the amp kept chugging along on one power tube. I finally noticed my tone starting to drift off, so I walked around the back of the amp and only one tube was lit.
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Post by zpilot on Jan 6, 2017 12:15:12 GMT -7
My Maz 18 NR is the first amp I've ever owned with a rectifier tube and I was wondering how often do you change them. Do they last as long as power tubes or should they be changed more often? Are there signs of a power tube going before it goes? Buy an NOS tube and you will probably never have to replace it. All of the new manufactured rectifiers are a crap shoot in my opinion. If that's the road you choose then always have a spare on hand.
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Post by Marshalldog on Jan 6, 2017 13:59:02 GMT -7
My Maz 18 NR is the first amp I've ever owned with a rectifier tube and I was wondering how often do you change them. Do they last as long as power tubes or should they be changed more often? Are there signs of a power tube going before it goes? Buy an NOS tube and you will probably never have to replace it. All of the new manufactured rectifiers are a crap shoot in my opinion. If that's the road you choose then always have a spare on hand. OK, what would you recommend?? Whats your thoughts on this one?? www.thetubestore.com/Tubes/5AR4-GZ34-Tube-Types/Sylvania-5AR4-GZ34
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Post by purpletele on Jan 7, 2017 0:53:42 GMT -7
^^^^I don't think you could go wrong with the RCA.
That will be the last one you buy for that amp
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Post by Marshalldog on Jan 7, 2017 19:17:46 GMT -7
Off to spend some money...thanks Budd!!!
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Post by zpilot on Jan 8, 2017 19:40:38 GMT -7
You can probably find an NOS tube cheaper at KCA NOS Tube. I can't really recommend one because their stock changes all the time. Virtually any NOS tube will be fine. I wouldn't waste my money on the most expensive ones. A JAN (Joint Army Navy) tube will be the most rugged and probably last the longest. I found this: www.kcanostubes.com/content/nos-jan-philipssylvania-5ar4These really are getting expensive.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Jan 9, 2017 8:03:38 GMT -7
I've got a couple of old Mullard 5AR4 rectifiers that have been serving me well for over 15 years. Still, I just bought one of these. I have Sovtek and Gold Lion 5AR4s in other amps, but it's a matter of time before they go, so I'll pull one of those and use it as backup to the NOS.
Ya cain't ever have enough tubes or fuses, a wise man once said...
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Post by dcarver on Jan 10, 2017 0:33:16 GMT -7
I put a mislabeled NOS 5AR4 from KCA in my MAZ 8 about 5 months ago. I really like what it did for the amp. I got stronger, more articulate... just better IMHO. I hope it lasts a long time, but if it blows up tomorrow I'll get another one.
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