Post by calebstyler on Nov 20, 2019 12:48:43 GMT -7
Hi Folks, I've joined here as it's obviously the best place for advice on Dr Z amps.
I would like to know if I have a problem with the amp or just a problem with valves.
As in the title. I have recently had the misfortune of the death of another Power Valve. The other day when I paused playing the Guitar for a short while, I noticed my Amp Head start to Hum a little louder, I was familiar with the noise as I've had a Power Valve go before on this amp.
I looked in the back of the amp and one of the Power Valves was glowing a very bright Orange. I switched off the amp immediately. I'm familiar that this known as Redplating? I wasn't in a dim light situation, so it looked Orange, but may have looked different in dimmer light.
The Fuse did not blow and nothing else looks or smelled damaged.
I only got 75 hours out of this pair of EL84's, which ain't great. The stock valves that came with the amp when I bought it managed about 130 hours before the same thing happened with a Power Valve.
I got the latest set of valves from a very good/reputable supplier and when I explained what type of amp I was running them in and what had happened with the first lot, he supplied a matched pair with Plate Current 30 and Transconductance 7.7.
His logic being that they may draw less current.
I know Z amps run the valves hard and hot. I personally don't run this amp very hard at all, home playing and gig playing is about 1/3 power set to break up and used a pedal base.
What say you guys? Should I take it to a Tech or should I just replace the EL84's and maybe change the Rectifier Valve for good measure?
Or, is this just the nature of the beast? I'm not a tech or an expert, but I'm tempted to think I have a fault. I'm sure some guys out there are getting many more hours out of their valves.
Thanks for any help.
I would like to know if I have a problem with the amp or just a problem with valves.
As in the title. I have recently had the misfortune of the death of another Power Valve. The other day when I paused playing the Guitar for a short while, I noticed my Amp Head start to Hum a little louder, I was familiar with the noise as I've had a Power Valve go before on this amp.
I looked in the back of the amp and one of the Power Valves was glowing a very bright Orange. I switched off the amp immediately. I'm familiar that this known as Redplating? I wasn't in a dim light situation, so it looked Orange, but may have looked different in dimmer light.
The Fuse did not blow and nothing else looks or smelled damaged.
I only got 75 hours out of this pair of EL84's, which ain't great. The stock valves that came with the amp when I bought it managed about 130 hours before the same thing happened with a Power Valve.
I got the latest set of valves from a very good/reputable supplier and when I explained what type of amp I was running them in and what had happened with the first lot, he supplied a matched pair with Plate Current 30 and Transconductance 7.7.
His logic being that they may draw less current.
I know Z amps run the valves hard and hot. I personally don't run this amp very hard at all, home playing and gig playing is about 1/3 power set to break up and used a pedal base.
What say you guys? Should I take it to a Tech or should I just replace the EL84's and maybe change the Rectifier Valve for good measure?
Or, is this just the nature of the beast? I'm not a tech or an expert, but I'm tempted to think I have a fault. I'm sure some guys out there are getting many more hours out of their valves.
Thanks for any help.