lrs11
New Member
Posts: 9
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Post by lrs11 on Mar 30, 2011 14:33:05 GMT -7
I have several vintage amps and a recently acquired Mazerati head and 2x10 cab.
Is there any concensus on the wisdom of using tube dampers? I see some sold for both preamp and power tubes. What piqued my interest was seeing a Rati on ebay today with dampers on the power tubes.
The internet sampling so far has indicated that most think there is some incremental value, but I was curious what the Z crowd thought about them. Any specific recommendations are most welcomed.
thanks!
Lamar
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Post by Ben on Mar 30, 2011 16:22:48 GMT -7
Brent from AudioTubes has these for sales. www.audiotubes.com/damper.htmI'll be getting some for my preamp tubes shortly. No idea if they work or not, but will never know unless you try it right! Cheers Ben
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Post by myles on Mar 30, 2011 16:35:20 GMT -7
They work in many cases but you do not need to go the "special" route. I do not use them on power tubes as those get too hot and you don't want rattle traps in the high voltage power section of your amp, dampers or no dampers.
Preamp tubes are a different story. Simple rubber bands work just fine. Over at 65 Amps they use common shrink wrap that is cost effective and not pricy. On my facebook page in photos I have many shots of the shrink wrapped tubes over at their shop.
I would not want to add anything to a tube with too much weight or mass.
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ksks
Full Member
Posts: 120
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Post by ksks on Mar 31, 2011 6:14:29 GMT -7
How hot does the outside surface of a preamp tube get ( range in degrees F)?
Outside of power tubes?
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Post by Corey on Mar 31, 2011 6:53:15 GMT -7
Good scoop of info here. Since buying my Ghia, I've had her flipped 'n backless.. tubes free-standing. ..maybe some rubber bands are warranted.. yet, I haven't experienced any problems with noise or rattle...
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Post by myles on Mar 31, 2011 10:04:33 GMT -7
How hot does the outside surface of a preamp tube get ( range in degrees F)? Outside of power tubes? This depends on the tube, amp, circuit and other factors. Generally, a 12AX7 which develops about 1.2mA of plate current will get warm to the touch but not hot enough to burn my fingers. Some folks may be more sensitive. A 12AT7 is in the 10mA range and can get very hot to the touch. In some amps it will burn most fingers. Power tubes are very hot and in some amp can exceed 400 degrees F.
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Post by "Z" Steve on Apr 16, 2011 21:36:49 GMT -7
Just an FYI - I didn't know Eurotubes had these but now they carry their own line of them. I haven't tried them and don't know of any reviews but maybe worth a try on noisy 6V6GT's www.eurotubes.com/euro-damper.htm
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Post by thatstatuemoved on Jun 5, 2011 7:57:54 GMT -7
I have several z heads and the only time I have used a tube dampner is on the ef-86 tube in my stang ray head--these tubes are notorious for microphonics or tube rattle and the dampners really solved that issue--I got mine from levytubes.com on a recommendation from Brent and the good folks at dr z.
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Post by myles on Jun 5, 2011 9:33:21 GMT -7
I have several z heads and the only time I have used a tube dampner is on the ef-86 tube in my stang ray head--these tubes are notorious for microphonics or tube rattle and the dampners really solved that issue--I got mine from levytubes.com on a recommendation from Brent and the good folks at dr z. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't.
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Post by Abandoned on May 6, 2020 22:45:09 GMT -7
Any updates on this topic?
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Post by Seńor Verde on May 7, 2020 11:25:06 GMT -7
I bought some for my amps and use them. Don't know if I need them for most amps, but I bought two pairs of Tung-Sol 6L6, from different sellers that rattle pretty bad. The Tube Dampers greatly reduced the rattle in one pair and eliminated the rattle in another.
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Post by zpilot on May 7, 2020 20:40:05 GMT -7
I tried the silicone ring type for EL84's and did not notice much difference. I bought another type that works much better. They consist of three small silicone "rollers" held in contact around the circumference of the glass by a metal ring. I don't remember where I got them but I know it was someone who specializes in the hi-fi audio community. If you think guitarists are picky about sound, well those folks can be obsessive. Unlike some others I have seen they do not inhibit cooling. But you can not use tube retainers with them. So far that has not been a problem as my sockets are tight.
I originally got them for JJ's which tended to rattle. The Russian tubes I get from perryr don't seem to have that problem so I'll probably ditch the dampers.
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Post by Seńor Verde on May 7, 2020 20:48:36 GMT -7
Can you post a picture of one? I'd like to be able to use the tubes of mine the silicone rings didn't completely fix.
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