captain38
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I followed you big river...
Posts: 198
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Post by captain38 on Feb 19, 2013 8:07:37 GMT -7
I'll be honest, I need some help. I've got a Maz 38 NR combo, and I feel like I burn through tubes like crazy. The last run I did, I had to frequently hit the top of my amp to get the noises to stop. (silly I know.) In the past, I've just bought new tubes any time that the noises would return...as you can imagine, I've amassed a nice little collection, and I've kept all of the tubes I've ever used. With that said...
Is there anyone out there willing to do a good service and test these tubes? I saw that orange has a tube tester out, but truth be told, I can't swing the $500. I don't know what I could throw in to sweeten the deal...maybe you could keep a set of the best tubes? I just need someone to allow me the opportunity to start throwing tubes away, or empower me with the knowledge of good and bad tubes. I tap on them with pencil erasers to see if they are microphonic...just when I think I'm all good, NOISY NOISES!
I realize part of it is the nature of el84's, but sheesh. I just grabbed a bassman with the original black plate RCA's and it's still rockin after 40 years!
p.s. I'm contemplating going to a head and open back cab...my buddy with a maz 38 has gone through 1 set of tubes in about 3 years. (same brand and everything) I've gone through a lot more! If this is too much to ask, just tell me to go away.
Any input is welcomed!!!
Thanks
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Post by bluzman on Feb 19, 2013 8:43:29 GMT -7
Clean the tube sockets. Use dampening rings. Two cheap starts. When I get a tester, I'll gladly check some tubes.
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ksks
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Post by ksks on Feb 19, 2013 9:40:55 GMT -7
PM sent
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2013 10:33:39 GMT -7
My 2004 Maz 38 went through output tubes at a rate of about every 6 months. If I didn't replace them with fresh ones she'd start blowing uses. I was using an attenuator and running the amp hard. A cathode biased amp is going to be harder on the tubes than a grid biased amp.
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captain38
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I followed you big river...
Posts: 198
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Post by captain38 on Feb 19, 2013 19:04:43 GMT -7
First off, I appreciate all of the replies. I am sure to clean the tubes sockets every time I change tubes...and sometimes even more. I also do have dampening rings on my tubes...although, only the power tubes. Do they make dampeners for the pre's?
I never really had trouble blowing fuses...I did have a solder that kept coming undone near the fuse over and over (even after Z redid it). I'm aware that the amps nature is rough on the tubes, but, I've had the opportunity to monitor my amp versus our other guitar players and he hasn't gone through nearly (NEARLY) the amount of tubes I have. (he does have the head and cab...not the combo like I do.
Thanks for everything!!!
Anything else will help!
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Post by bluzman on Feb 19, 2013 23:05:17 GMT -7
They do make dampening rings for pre-amp tubes too.
Combos can be tougher on tubes due to the vibrations, but are you using matched quads when you replace the power tubes?
When you talk about the solder coming undone that sounds like wicked heat and high current... are you using a nice 5AR4/GZ34 Rectifier or a different one like a 5V4?? It sounds to me like your rectifier tube isn't providing high enough voltage causing current to increase and clearing the fuse. If it was my amp, I'd change the rectifier.
Be sure you are using a 3 amp slow blow and 1/2 amp slo blow fuses.
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captain38
Full Member
I followed you big river...
Posts: 198
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Post by captain38 on Feb 21, 2013 18:17:18 GMT -7
[img src=" farm9.staticflickr.com/8088/8495705683_7c0feb81f8_n.jpg" src=" Z by pstew42384, on Flickr" alt=" "] Thanks again for the input! I think I'm going to grab some dampening rings for pre-amp on my next go. All of the tubes I get are matched...typically JJ's...and I've got a GZ34-S in there. All the fuses are correct as well. Thinking more about it...I think I am going to go ahead and make a head unit for this thing. That way, when I'm at home I won't be putting nearly the stress on it, and when I play out I can put it right back into the cab. I just got a Fender Bassman 10 that I'm going to be making a head for anyhow (for bass)...might as well make one for the Z while I'm at it! The pic that is included of the solder that repeatedly broke and Z had to fix a couple of times.
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Post by BritInvasion on Feb 21, 2013 19:51:46 GMT -7
I recall you posting about that solder joint , maybe 2 years ago? I always wondered what happened with that. In the pic , that big cap seems to be right at the edge of the circuit board. I wonder if it tends to vibrate and break the joint loose. A good dab of silicone caulk at the area / juncture where the cap meets the board might act as a glue / vibration damper if that's what is causing the problem.
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captain38
Full Member
I followed you big river...
Posts: 198
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Post by captain38 on Feb 21, 2013 20:34:50 GMT -7
WOW! An elephants memory my friend! That really hasn't been a problem for about the last year or so. The reason I posted it was just to show what was the problem in the past and part of the reason (potentially) that I kept buying tubes. Still can't believe you recall that!!!
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