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Post by brickwalljackson on Oct 23, 2010 18:05:59 GMT -7
Hey Fellers,
I am having some serious tube issues, at least I hope it is tubes. I have an original Stingray amp. In the last three months, I have burned out two sets of Groove Tubes. One set redplated, and the other set causes this really bad static/distortion to come through the amp when I hit a low note or a 1st position chord (not tube rattle). It sounds like electrostatic noise, crackling, etc. and as the tubes get hotter it gets worse. I had a spare set of Mesa Boogie tubes (also Sovteks like the GTs) and they were okay for a few hours but they are starting to do the same thing, though not nearly as bad.
Does the Stingray have an adjustable bias or a bias resistor like the amp it was based on? It almost sounds as if there's too much juice going to the tubes and they are burning out prematurely. Could also be that Sovteks just suck, which I'm willing to consider as well. The tubes that came in the amp from the factory lasted for a good long while
Anyway, I'm going to try some New Sensors next or some Ruby Tubes. They have larger bottles and are advertised as being able to take the heat of an AC30 so they should be fine in a Stingray.
Just wanted to see if you'd heard of this type of issue before. I had a Marshall that did this once too, and it was the tubes.
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Post by "Z" Steve on Oct 23, 2010 19:58:04 GMT -7
I don't have a Stingray but I would drop in a set of JJ's or TAD's before I start messing with the default settings the Doc has - that would be an inexpensive way to rule out the tubes being the culprit - plus you need the tubes and it's cheaper than a bench charge (probably). Bob at Eurotubes, Mike at KCA, or Dougs Tubes will set you straight if you talk with them first and explain what is happening and also tell them what amp you have and what kind of breakup you would like from your amp. Good luck www.dougstubes.com/store.tubedepot.com/www.kcanostubes.com/www.eurotubes.com/
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Post by brickwalljackson on Oct 23, 2010 20:10:34 GMT -7
I don't have a Stingray but I would drop in a set of JJ's or TAD's before I start messing with the default settings the Doc has - that would be an inexpensive way to rule out the tubes being the culprit - plus you need the tubes and it's cheaper than a bench charge (probably). Bob at Eurotubes, Mike at KCA, or Dougs Tubes will set you straight if you talk with them first and explain what is happening and also tell them what amp you have and what kind of breakup you would like from your amp. Good luck www.dougstubes.com/store.tubedepot.com/www.kcanostubes.com/www.eurotubes.com/Good call, and thanks for responding. I don't get much breakup from my amp, I play pretty clean as a general rule and even the clean signal on a Stangray has enough "hair" for me. I think you're right about the JJs or the TADs. They have a good reputation for being able to take the heat. If they work in AC30s, they'll work in a Ray.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2010 23:01:39 GMT -7
What EF86 do you have in there? It might be worth replacing it with a NOS one.
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Post by brickwalljackson on Oct 24, 2010 15:12:07 GMT -7
What EF86 do you have in there? It might be worth replacing it with a NOS one. EH. But, I tried a NOS Amperex and it made no difference. I have a set of brand new tubes as spares, so I tried all other positions and it's definitely the output tubes. It's also not mechanical. It's electrostatic noise that competes with the signal as your notes/chords fade. It's absolutely awful and you can hear it at whatever volume you play. The amp is fine I'm sure of it, it's the crappy Groove Tubes. Microphonic tubes and rattling are SOP when you use combo amps after awhile. I played Blues Juniors for years and I know this sound I'm getting now is not the usual mechanical noise, but rather tubes going bad. I'm just shocked at how bad the QC is at Groove Tubes since Aspen left. I'm surprised because I play Gretsch guitars almost exclusively, and Fender has done nothing but improve their quality. I wonder what the deal is with Groove Tubes? Oh well, they've lost me as a customer that's for damn sure.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2010 15:48:36 GMT -7
You're probably right about the tubes being crap. Sucks that you have to deal with premature tube failure though. I always thought the premium for Groove Tubes was for the testing. I guess not.
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Post by brickwalljackson on Oct 24, 2010 20:56:25 GMT -7
You're probably right about the tubes being crap. Sucks that you have to deal with premature tube failure though. I always thought the premium for Groove Tubes was for the testing. I guess not. At one time it was, but since Fender bought them, something has changed. The dividing line seems to be whether the tubes have the "GT" logo inked on, or they have those little stickers on them. Generally speaking, it seems that the ones with the inked on logos are pre-Fender, and so Aspen was still running the company. In fact, my Stingray came with a set of the original Groove Tubes in it and they lasted just fine. The only reason I replaced them, was that the top end went out. Other than that, they were solid. I'll see how the EHs do. The New Sensor stuff is supposed to be pretty good. I don't mind replacing tubes every six months or so, given how much I gig but 30 days is a bit short.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2010 20:07:15 GMT -7
I changed my stock power tubes after about 10 months of owning the amp. Played it quite a bit.
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Post by Hohn on Oct 27, 2010 18:36:48 GMT -7
+1 on the JJs. Great results with mine.
Also highly recommend the Dario NOS EF86. Tried a GT and it sucked. I don't know of any EF86 known for the high end sparkle of the Dario.
I'd hoard Darios if I had the cash...
JMO
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Post by twotoneguitars on Oct 28, 2010 10:02:41 GMT -7
i have always have poor results from groove tubes. even across different types of tubes. i don't even try them anymore. haven't for several years now.
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Post by brickwalljackson on Oct 30, 2010 17:20:18 GMT -7
i have always have poor results from groove tubes. even across different types of tubes. i don't even try them anymore. haven't for several years now. Yeah. I mean, I don't mind replacing tubes every six months or so, but 30 days is freaking ridiculous.
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Post by muzacman02 "Jamie" on Oct 30, 2010 18:01:52 GMT -7
Something is going on, I Personally dont like groove tubes at all. I just bought a set of NOS tubes for my EF86 Well worth Every penny however the JJ's are good but the Tungsols and the TAD stuff is very resonable and sound great. are you sure you're getting a Matched set? Thuis meaning they are all very close or same current draw? I haven't had a bit a trouble out of my 08' Stangray, Play the heck out of it and puch it constantly with pedals too keep us posted it always helps to know if there is or was a problem ;D Jamie
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Post by brickwalljackson on Nov 2, 2010 19:16:18 GMT -7
I don't freaking believe it!!! So, I got a set of EH's tonight, and one of the tubes went bad on me! WTF? The other three were fine. I had to put a set of Mesa Boogie Sovteks back in. I move the one bad tube around and it glowed extra red in all other locations so I'm still pretty sure it's not the amp.
Jeez, what a PITA!!!!
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Post by "Z" Steve on Nov 3, 2010 8:00:35 GMT -7
Man I didn't want to read that. Not that it would help much at this point but hopefully your tube vendor will replace your tube. I would also suggest posting this issue in the "Ask the Expert" section under "Ask Myles or Chad" and see what he may think as well just to get another view re the tubes going out so fast - maybe the amp does need attention.
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Post by brickwalljackson on Nov 3, 2010 8:58:12 GMT -7
Well, I cracked the amp open last night and everything appeared to be okay. There were no burn marks! I went out today and bought a quad of JJ's. My local music store will make good on the one EH that burned out. I have another set of EH's coming tomorrow so we'll see how they do.
I really don't think it's the amp. I've heard that new tubes are dogs, I just never had that experience, but then I suppose I probably got really, really lucky. This time, it was one tube, and if there were a short in the socket it would have redplated and taken the one next to it down as well.
I'll try the JJ's this afternoon and I'll report back.
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Post by brickwalljackson on Nov 4, 2010 18:04:50 GMT -7
UPDATE:
My amp is fine. . .THANK GOD! I installed the JJ's tonight and my amp is running just fine. I think I just had a bad run of tubes. I'll be interested to see how the EH's do once I get the bad one replaced.
Well, Brent at Dr. Z was right, the JJ's are good tubes!!! The amp sounds amazing and has plenty of chime and top end.
Man, I dodged a bullet on that one.
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Post by "Z" Steve on Nov 4, 2010 19:45:11 GMT -7
FINALLY!! I was beginning to question your tube vendor but didn't want to go there That is great news - enjoy your amp as it is supposed to be heard!
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Post by eggman on Nov 25, 2010 15:35:54 GMT -7
Howdy, JJs are the default "best" new production EL84, I've discovered. I'll publicly admit to using Sovtek EL84s, just as I'll confess to eating at McDonalds sometimes! I've found Sovteks to be rugged, reliable and cheap. Now as for tone...Hmm.Well, at least Sovteks are cheap I'll bet the Stangray is more fun than M&Ms! My only Z is a Carmen Ghia, but if I ever get the ahem, "investment capital", a 'Ray would be most likely choice.
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Post by trim450 on Dec 12, 2010 12:33:13 GMT -7
hows the gretsch sound with the ray ? im getting ready to pull the trigger on a gretsch hot rod with tv jones , i hope its as good as i think it going to be lol .
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Post by brickwalljackson on Dec 13, 2010 21:29:51 GMT -7
hows the gretsch sound with the ray ? im getting ready to pull the trigger on a gretsch hot rod with tv jones , i hope its as good as i think it going to be lol . It's pure tonal bliss my man! I've got four Gretsches, all proline models. They are wonderful through the Ray.
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