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Post by bradical on Aug 28, 2014 11:06:31 GMT -7
I have a full set of replacement tubes from thetubestore.com per the recommendations on the Dr. Z web page. My chief complaint is a white noise/static when my amp is on and unplugged. This is reduced by engaging my break lite or turning the master volume down. The amp is about 8 years old and I have not changed the tubes or cleaned the guts of the amp.
Could someone one please provide me with important tips on how to clean her and change the tubes? I know not to touch the glass of the tubes but that's about all. Do I want to blast her out with compressed air or use any ETOH or detergents on the circuits? Any sort of product that I should apply to the new tubes before I plug them in?
thanks.
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Post by BritInvasion on Aug 28, 2014 11:48:21 GMT -7
Howdy - First thing , it's completely OK to touch the glass on the tubes , that's a myth that got started on the web a couple of years ago. As far as cleaning , do not use compressed air - it can freeze things and cause expansion/contraction causing grief , if used incorrectly. No real reason to , unless your chassis is loaded with dirt or dust, in which case I would use a soft-bristle paint brush to clean it. Obtain a can of Deoxit 5 and spray just a tiny bit into the individual sockets in each tube socket , or just wet the pins on the new tubes with it just before insertion. It's also a good idea to use the spray on the input jacks - you can wet a plug and insert/remove several times in quick succession to clean them.
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Post by thunderstruck(formerly doc001) on Aug 28, 2014 22:18:56 GMT -7
^^^
This
There is a chance that you only need to replace the phase inverter and the output tubes. Try those first to see if the static disappears. If not then move onto V1, then V2, etc..
Make sure the chassis bolts are hand tight.
Good luck
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Post by John on Aug 29, 2014 18:14:18 GMT -7
The amp is about 8 years old and I have not changed the tubes or cleaned the guts of the amp. Wow....8 years on the same power tubes? Cathode biased EL84 amps need to have their tubes changed like oil in a car....regularly. I don't know how much cleaning it will need. But good gawd...pop in a new set of el84 tubes. Buy a set of balanced tubes. |
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Post by drockafella80 on Aug 29, 2014 18:21:31 GMT -7
Am I the only one creeped out by the subject line? Lol
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Post by simpleton on Aug 29, 2014 22:15:32 GMT -7
Am I the only one wonder how an 8 year old Carmen Ghia has a master volume? Question Frank or anyone that knows - When you say to
Is it safe to touch where the tubes insert into the amp with you fingers? Or are saying only to touch with a soft bristled brush? Also THUNDERSTRUCK when you say to
Do you mean the four bolts that hold the head to the cab? Cause I tighten the s**t outta mine trying to prevent cab rattle.
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Post by BritInvasion on Aug 30, 2014 4:47:28 GMT -7
Am I the only one wonder how an 8 year old Carmen Ghia has a master volume? Question Frank or anyone that knows - When you say to Is it safe to touch where the tubes insert into the amp with you fingers? Or are saying only to touch with a soft bristled brush? Also THUNDERSTRUCK when you say to Do you mean the four bolts that hold the head to the cab? Cause I tighten the s**t outta mine trying to prevent cab rattle. It's safe to touch the tube sockets. What I was saying about the soft bristle brush is ; if the chassis was loaded with dust and cobwebs , it's better to brush it out than to spray compressed air into it. About the chassis bolts Yes , they are the 4 that hold the head to the cab. |
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Post by thunderstruck(formerly doc001) on Aug 30, 2014 5:05:17 GMT -7
Also THUNDERSTRUCK when you say to Do you mean the four bolts that hold the head to the cab? Cause I tighten the s**t outta mine trying to prevent cab rattle. You've got it! |
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51d
Junior Member
Posts: 95 
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Post by 51d on Sept 15, 2014 14:38:38 GMT -7
Am I the only one creeped out by the subject line? Lol No, it got me too... |
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