geno
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Posts: 25
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Post by geno on Mar 19, 2017 7:43:07 GMT -7
I used mine for the first time at a gig last night, and it was exceptional!!! one thing I noticed, however, is that it gets REALLY Hot... so much so that when I pulled the guitar cable out at the end of the the night, my cable to almost too warm to touch (where it plugs in to the amp)... then I checked the face plate and rear of the amp and they were super-hot... so much so that I noticed a slight smell, like the case of the amp was warm.
It's a head. I have changed the power tubes to TUNG SOL 6V6s (new tubes, not NOS) and V1 to a NOS 5751 . Other than that, no changes at all. I ran it into a 1X12 Cab with an 8ohm Celestion A-Type speaker (and yes, I double checked that i was plugged in to the proper speaker output jack).
Anyone else notice that this amp runs really hot? I used Standby on each break, also.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2017 7:52:26 GMT -7
Maybe check to see if the internal fan is plugged in and operating properly?
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Post by Rockerfeller on Mar 19, 2017 7:54:15 GMT -7
I used mine for the first time at a gig last night, and it was exceptional!!! one thing I noticed, however, is that it gets REALLY Hot... so much so that when I pulled the guitar cable out at the end of the the night, my cable to almost too warm to touch (where it plugs in to the amp)... then I checked the face plate and rear of the amp and they were super-hot... so much so that I noticed a slight smell, like the case of the amp was warm. It's a head. I have changed the power tubes to TUNG SOL 6V6s (new tubes, not NOS) and V1 to a NOS 5751 . Other than that, no changes at all. I ran it into a 1X12 Cab with an 8ohm Celestion A-Type speaker (and yes, I double checked that i was plugged in to the proper speaker output jack). Anyone else notice that this amp runs really hot? I used Standby on each break, also. Hi Geno, Yes, I noticed the same thing too. I bought my head new about 6 months ago, but it was the 10th one made. The earlier ones didn't have a fan built into the head to keep it cool. The newer ones do. I suspect, if you look at your serial number yours is an earlier model without the fan. I just bought a clip on fan for the back of my Dr. Z convertible cab (that I run open back) and point it at the head. It works REALLY well. I could have sent it back to the factory to have it upgraded with the fan but I was gigging too much.
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geno
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Post by geno on Mar 19, 2017 8:02:02 GMT -7
Yes, no fan in mine, so it must be an earlier model. I think I will do the clip-on fan thing for now. I don't want to be without it long enough for an upgrade!!
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Post by Rockerfeller on Mar 19, 2017 8:04:12 GMT -7
Yes, no fan in mine, so it must be an earlier model. I think I will do the clip-on fan thing for now. I don't want to be without it long enough for an upgrade!! I bought a cheap one at Target or Walmart for under $10. It is smaller, and fits into my gig box. It is one more thing to set up but you will find it is very effective at cooling down the head.
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geno
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Posts: 25
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Post by geno on Mar 19, 2017 8:24:41 GMT -7
perfect.... did you get a plug-in fan or a battery operated? I'm thinking batteries would make it easier to set up, but just have to keep the batteries changed
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Post by Rockerfeller on Mar 19, 2017 8:34:17 GMT -7
Plug in all the way! There is a power strip on my side of the stage and I just plug the fan right into it. The last thing I want is the battery to die on my fan! The one I use is a little bit bigger than your typical battery operated fan. This is the one I got: Clip on fan at target
I think it is about 7-8". The clip on part of it works perfectly with an open back cabinet. I just clip in on the opening of the cab and point it up at the head.
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geno
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Post by geno on Mar 19, 2017 8:47:48 GMT -7
Perfect.. and thanks! I will head to Target today (or use that nice Amazon Prime subscription I paid for and get it delivered free in 2 days!). I'm thinking of putting a small power strip inside my cab with a long cord and plug the amp and fan into that. I could even velcro mounty it inside the bottom of the cab.
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Post by DRZ on Mar 19, 2017 9:46:17 GMT -7
Geno I did write a response earlier but it didn't post, probably driver error. OK the fan will help. But on your next tube change install JJ 6V6 Medium Range Matched quad, these are tubes the amp was designed to use and also self biased to operate correctly. No telling where the bias is on the set of Tung-Sol , also the Tung-Sol do run hot and don't last as long, trust me I tested them .
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Post by JasonM on Mar 19, 2017 13:42:53 GMT -7
Geno I did write a response earlier but it didn't post, probably driver error. OK the fan will help. But on your next tube change install JJ 6V6 Medium Range Matched quad, these are tubes the amp was designed to use and also self biased to operate correctly. No telling where the bias is on the set of Tung-Sol , also the Tung-Sol do run hot and don't last as long, trust me I tested them . As usual great advice from the Dr himself. I ran some of the Tung Sols 6v6s back in the day with a JAZ (pretty much the same amp as a Z-Lux) I owned and like Z mentioned they ran really hot and didn't last long at all. I'm using the Tung Sol 5881s with my Zlux and they sound great. So that might be an option for you also if you were looking for a different type of tube other than the JJ 6v6 and the 5881s were also Z approved.
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geno
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Posts: 25
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Post by geno on Mar 20, 2017 16:49:41 GMT -7
Excellent. Thanks to all of you for your responses - Especially DRZ. I do have a set of JJs lying around (and the amp came with the original tubes in it) so I will check to make sure they're the medium range, and will use those.
DRZ, any cautions against the 5751 in V1? I always prefer a clean pedal platform when I play and an NOS 5751 has always sounded nice in my blackface amps. I didn't tell much of a difference when I put it in the ZLux, though... perhaps the 12AX7 is better?
First gig with the Zlux was phenomenal and I will be using this amp for a very long time to come. I had a Z28 years ago and love it, but couldn't keep EF86's in it from rattling (it was a combo), glad to be back "in the family".
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Post by renegade44 on Mar 28, 2017 12:29:22 GMT -7
Listen to the Doc!
Also, leave it on StandBy for a few minutes to let it cool down when you are done. It's a little tougher at a gig. But, take the time to take care of the beast!
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mj
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Post by mj on Apr 5, 2017 5:45:57 GMT -7
Oh the fan wasnt in the early runs? I need to check this amp on ebay to see if its got the fan.
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Post by DRZ on Apr 5, 2017 7:24:29 GMT -7
Excellent. Thanks to all of you for your responses - Especially DRZ. I do have a set of JJs lying around (and the amp came with the original tubes in it) so I will check to make sure they're the medium range, and will use those. DRZ, any cautions against the 5751 in V1? I always prefer a clean pedal platform when I play and an NOS 5751 has always sounded nice in my blackface amps. I didn't tell much of a difference when I put it in the ZLux, though... perhaps the 12AX7 is better? First gig with the Zlux was phenomenal and I will be using this amp for a very long time to come. I had a Z28 years ago and love it, but couldn't keep EF86's in it from rattling (it was a combo), glad to be back "in the family". I got a call from Joe Walsh yesterday. He's starting rehearsals and is selecting his back line. He has the Z Lux being staged , but asked if he could get a bit more clean , as he uses pedals for all his dirt tones. I suggested a NOS 12AT7 in V1 and a NOS 12AT7 in V6, increased Fendery tone as well as cleaned up the amp at pushed volumes. Joe tried a 12AY7 from one his old tweed amp in V1 , sounded good but haven't yet heard back on his final tone rolling. DR.Z
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geno
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Post by geno on Apr 5, 2017 18:57:29 GMT -7
Thanks DrZ. I ended up re-tubing completely using your recommended list and the results are noticeably better. That Mullard 12AX7 is magic in the V1 position... but i do like the way the 5751 gives me a different low-mid character and makes drive pedals sound more like the amp itself but pushed (at reasonable volumes). Thanks for all your advice. loving the Z-Lux!
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