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Post by jakelefler on Nov 9, 2006 12:48:10 GMT -7
Hey I just turned on my ray today and noticed that the dynamics were really muddy and dark and the amp really won't clean up at all. I did however just put beam blockers in the amp (212 Combo W/ Blues). I was just wondering if the BB were causing this, which is strange to me, or if my tubes are going bad already. The amp sounds really dark, saggy, and slightly more compressed. Also it wants to start breaking up at like 8 oclock as opposed to 12 to 1 oclock when I first played it.
thanks
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Post by billyguitar on Nov 9, 2006 14:47:35 GMT -7
My experience is that EL84s degrade very quickly. The first few hours are beautiful then there's a long time of okay and then they go quickly. Don't hesitate to swap them out.
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Post by Telemanic on Nov 9, 2006 16:58:47 GMT -7
I know i sound like a broken record, but i REALLY like spending a little more and invest in some NOS 7189's. For me they seem to have a couple extra watts behind them, more headroom, and last a LOT longer! There are some really cool ones out there, Mullard, Valvo, telefunken, etc. as well as the excellent American versions, Rca, sylvania black plates, GE and on and on ! Ive had em last for years in some amps with no loss of sound quality. The USA types can still be found pretty reasonable, so its kinda like, spend 3 or 4 times more, but get 3 or 4, or (more?) times the life, with what i feel is better tone as a bonus! Oh well, just a thought.
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Post by jakelefler on Nov 10, 2006 11:38:43 GMT -7
Yea I,m sure it,s the tubes. Stinks though cause I don't have anymore at right now. gotta get some quick. It's was strange to me that the tubes wore out so fast. We had a practice last night and it was just a muddy distorted mess. Like my stang was sick!! kinda sad. I noticed telemanic was talking about the NOS tubes and I was wondering if anyone else had any luck with different tubes in this amp? I kinda always thought that dr Z used the best tubes stock that he thought should go with his amp designs. So he put groovetubes in with a 6 rating and I shoud replace it exactly with thoughs. But maybe I should experiment like telemanic said.
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Post by DRZ on Nov 10, 2006 16:14:13 GMT -7
Yea I,m sure it,s the tubes. Stinks though cause I don't have anymore at right now. gotta get some quick. It's was strange to me that the tubes wore out so fast. We had a practice last night and it was just a muddy distorted mess. Like my stang was sick!! kinda sad. I noticed telemanic was talking about the NOS tubes and I was wondering if anyone else had any luck with different tubes in this amp? I kinda always thought that dr Z used the best tubes stock that he thought should go with his amp designs. So he put groovetubes in with a 6 rating and I shoud replace it exactly with thoughs. But maybe I should experiment like telemanic said. You can look far and wide and you won't find a better production EL-84 then the JJ and that is what makes up the wonderfully matched set of GT EL-84 -S I use in my amps. Tubes ware slowly, for yours to all of sudden sound muddy and distorted means a few things to me: 1) Maybe one of the quad has weakened. Try swapping 1&2 position with 3&4 position. Examine the tubes and see if one is a bit burnt orange in color. 2) I always look to the last thing done to the amp, you installed the beam blockers. Are speakers wired correctly now. Are they plugged into the proper amp out jack. Are BB's installed right. 3) Re seat all the other tubes maybe one got bumped during the BB install. Output tube just don't ware out in one night. There is more to this then you are stating, or are aware of. Nearly 200 StangRays out there many on the road under hard use, no reports of quickly worn tubes. A fresh quad MAY fix the tone, but keep track of the hours used and let me know how long they last. DR.Z
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Post by jakelefler on Nov 10, 2006 23:56:07 GMT -7
thanks Doc I'll try all of the things you talked about. I actually played again tonight with the mazerati 212 I have also and it kinda distorting also. No BB's. I've been using a les paul lately that I've had for a while. I'm now wondering if there is a weak connection somewhere in the guitar or I'f my board is got some weak connection. I just play quite a bit and haven't had time to check it all out. As far as tube use, I am in a worship band and play at least 3 times a week a lot of times more and after practice (2 hrs) worship(45min) preaching(1Hr) the tubes get quite a workout for the night. And they really don't get turned off either during that time. So add that up for about the 7 months that I've owned the amp and I might have some weak tubes.
Or like you said it could be something else all together that I'm not aware of.
its weird when your ears hear something different than the tone you've come to know and love. It really messes with your head and make you feel uncomfortable.
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Post by guitarboy02451 on Nov 11, 2006 20:51:27 GMT -7
Check all your cables... Try plugging guitar directly into amp as to eliminate a bad pedal or cable.
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