|
Post by bluebird on Jun 9, 2013 16:50:10 GMT -7
Hi All, I know rectifier tubes can go south from time to time but 3 in 10 weeks sounds like too much. Is it possible that something else is causing the rectifier tubes to go bad? or am I just unlucky with the new tubes bought. ( GT 5AR4 ) Some techs have suggested not using the standby (switch always on) just powering- up from the on switch. Anybody try this? Thanks.
|
|
|
Post by wubberdubber on Jun 9, 2013 17:35:47 GMT -7
If the amp is healthy otherwise, I doubt that the stand-by thing would make that much difference. Sounds like you have another component breaking down..perhaps a resistor or cap in that part of the circuit that has weakened. Granted, tube quality ain't what it used to be, but that sounds excessive. Is the amp new?..used?...had it a while and just recently has a problem?...etc. I'd get it to a tech to open it up and look it over, before you end up spending more for tubes than a bench charge would be.
|
|
|
Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jun 9, 2013 18:27:52 GMT -7
I'd suggest giving Don at Dr. Z Service a call - he might be able to suggest some possible causes.
Phone: (216) 475-1444
|
|
|
Post by bluebird on Jun 10, 2013 5:34:23 GMT -7
Firstly thanks for reply's - The Amp is 2 years old very little hours on it maybe 100 or so, it was set in a studio with lots of other amps so not always utilised. Other than the fuse blowing and tracking it down to the Rec tube I can't see any other serious problem except ( al low-end hum which I pretty sure is down to grounding.) So I picked up a JJ GZ34 this morning. Spoke to another tech in the shop he also said leave the amps standby always on so we'll see not sure myself but they both had the same argument. Maybe there is some weight to the theory. He also said that he had a client with a Maz 38 -same problem, the client stopped using the standby and since then no problems!
Dec.
|
|
|
Post by bluebird on Nov 27, 2013 2:46:12 GMT -7
Update, In the last few months I've stopped using the standby switch and I have had no problems since, so a simple solution!
|
|
|
Post by prspastor on Dec 7, 2013 20:34:40 GMT -7
Huh... Interesting... I wonder why? To my mind, it is rectifying voltage whether the standby is on or off.
|
|
|
Post by drdavel on Dec 8, 2013 9:02:38 GMT -7
Often there is a large spike on the rectifier tube when you switch it on. Look at the tube when you do it, many times you can see it arc. I quit using my standby switch. My EZG is about a year old, and I went through 3 rectifier tuibes. Switched from JJ to Sovtek and have not blown it yet. I like the feel of the JJ better, but I'll stick with the Sovtek if it lasts.
|
|
|
Post by prspastor on Dec 9, 2013 6:00:12 GMT -7
Ah, okay, makes sense.
You know, the whole idea of cathode stripping and excess wear from not using a standby switch has been a big debate for years, and I think it has been largely debunked by many in the know. Still, I think that a lot of amp manufacturers feel compelled to put them on amps because they don't want to come under fire or explain (over and over) to worried guitarists that the switch is not needed. I give you the Dr. Z Carmen Ghia as an example.
|
|
|
Post by zpilot on Dec 10, 2013 4:48:23 GMT -7
I'd have a NOS rectifier in there anyway. I can't remember the last time I've had to replace one of those.
|
|