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Post by runninwiththerevil (Matthew) on Feb 8, 2023 14:19:54 GMT -7
I recently had an amp shipped to me and the seller was kind enough to pull the tubes and pack them separately.
The amp had the metal retainers for the power tubes and when I went to pull it onto the tube the retainer broke. I've never been nuts about retainers because I'm always worried I'm going to break the glass because of how tight they need to fit. Since I need to replace what I broke I'm wonder if there is a functional difference between metal retainers and the silicone dampeners.
Related, I've had plenty of Doc's amps that don't have retainers on the tubes. Can I get away with not replacing it at all?
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Feb 8, 2023 16:15:36 GMT -7
I'm not understanding the question; silicone dampers are just rings that go on the tube, I've never seen any that held the tube in the socket. The only time I'm concerned with retainers is when the tube is hanging inverted from the chassis. Otherwise I never install them. If your amp is oriented so that the tubes stand up I wouldn't worry about it.
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Post by runninwiththerevil (Matthew) on Feb 8, 2023 17:32:25 GMT -7
I'm not understanding the question; silicone dampers are just rings that go on the tube, I've never seen any that held the tube in the socket. The only time I'm concerned with retainers is when the tube is hanging inverted from the chassis. Otherwise I never install them. If your amp is oriented so that the tubes stand up I wouldn't worry about it. My application is in a combo, so yes the tubes are hanging. So are the retainers only purpose to secure tubes that are "upside down"? I wasn't sure if the purpose of a retainer was reduced rattle or something else. Am I right in understanding that microphonics is only really an issue with preamps and not power tubes?
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kcash
New Member
Posts: 28
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Post by kcash on Feb 8, 2023 18:02:21 GMT -7
Tube retainers are to hold the tubes in. Hopefully the retainer is holding the plastic base and not up on the glass, it really depends on the tube manufacture. The dampeners are to keep the microphonic feedback in check. I've had a few on my Dr Z amps and they are typically on the power tubes, not the pre-amp tubes.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Feb 8, 2023 22:32:50 GMT -7
Both pre and power amp tubes will rattle. Doc had quite a few issue with power tube rattle with JJ 6V6 tubes a few years back. And yes, the retainers are primarily for holding the tubes in place, although they can help with damping.
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Post by scottyc13 on Feb 9, 2023 5:36:05 GMT -7
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Post by nicholas on Feb 9, 2023 8:55:04 GMT -7
What kind of tubes?
If you're talking about big bottle power tubes the "bear trap" style retainers that clamp the plastic base of the power tube are just to hold the tube in place. The rubber rings on the tube help with vibrations. I don't really like the bear trap type retainers, so I've been replacing them with the metal spring type retainers like in the video posted. It only take a few minutes. They hold the tube in, and also help dampen vibration if a rubber washer or ring is used in conjunction.
If you're talking about EL84 tubes those are a wire retainer. I don't believe there is any other way to secure those tubes. But you can put the rubber rings on those tubes as well to help with mechanical noise, rattles and what not.
Antique Electronic Supply has all that stuff. Just enter "tube retainer" in the search bar. They have the high temp rubber rings there too, about 70 cents each.
If you need a hand with it just let me know.
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Post by runninwiththerevil (Matthew) on Feb 9, 2023 11:39:44 GMT -7
nicholas thanks. Just el84's. I appreciate the heads up where you normally buy. Tube Depot is my go to, but they are back ordered on retainers. As long as I needed to have a $2 part shipped I picked up a new 12ax7 to experiment with. I should be good with getting it installed, but I'll let you know.
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Post by driventone on Feb 9, 2023 12:59:04 GMT -7
[quote author=" nicholas" source="/post/981698/thread" timestamp="1675958104"If you're talking about EL84 tubes those are a wire retainer. I don't believe there is any other way to secure those tubes. But you can put the rubber rings on those tubes as well to help with mechanical noise, rattles and what not. [/quote] I had good success changing the wire retainers to the spring type on my Monza - I used Doc’s instructions for the Jetta’s 7591’s and tweaked them slightly for the Monza’s EL84’s. I was able to put a dampener ring between the tube and the retainer - I didn’t need glue, the tension holds it just fine.
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