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Post by timmiles on Mar 25, 2017 10:29:19 GMT -7
Hello all! I have recently purchased a Dr Z Mini 1x10 from Reverb.Com. It is the 2016 model. I have a couple of questions for all of you experts out there in the forum. I am getting a rattle from the EL84 tube. I believe it is actually coming from the tube retainer clip, do you have any suggestions on a fix for this? The problem seems to happen when I play E notes specifically on the G string or in that frequency range. Secondly, I notice a few defects with the amp that I received, I notice that there seems to be some black stuff over the white line seen in the picture attached. Also, some of the foam from the speaker is sticking through the top of the mesh, also seen in the photo. Has anyone seen anything like this before? The guy I bought this from said it was bought at the end of 2016. Thanks. i44.photobucket.com/albums/f2/tim_miles333/IMG_4642.jpg
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Post by Rockerfeller on Mar 25, 2017 10:40:49 GMT -7
Don't have the mini-z but the black stuff over the white line seems like a scuff mark or something like that. Try to take it off with some Goo B Gone or something similar.
Looking closely at the grill cloth, it doesn't look like the standard salt and pepper Dr. Z stuff, so I wonder if somebody changed it out with a different material? It is hard to tell though. If they did change it out, they weren't as careful as the Dr. Z people when they put it back together. Either way, that would be a quick fix.
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Post by dcarver on Mar 25, 2017 12:50:02 GMT -7
Hi timmiles. Welcome to the forum.
Regarding the rattle: does your EL84 have a couple tube dampers on it ?
My Maz 8 came stock with a couple of them on the EL84. They look like a big orange O-ring.
That should stop the retainer clip from rattling.
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Post by BritInvasion on Mar 25, 2017 13:05:28 GMT -7
As for that tiny bit of foam insulation , I've had brand new Z's that a little of that peaked out too. No big deal , you can press it back in with a credit card if it bothers you. It's there to prevent the baffle from vibrating against the chassis. Just a piece of foam weatherstripping.
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Post by headshrinker (Marc) on Mar 25, 2017 14:25:54 GMT -7
Try another tube in the socket. EL 84s have a tendency to develop rattles. Try another EL 84 if you have one. If not,remove the tube retainer and see if you still get the rattle. You don't have to remove it from the chassis, just take it off of the tube. If it's the 84 the rattle will still be there. If it's the retainer, getting it off of the tube should stop it or at least change the note you get the rattle at. You could even wrap it in something to keep it from rattling when you try it.
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Post by timmiles on Mar 26, 2017 16:03:33 GMT -7
Thanks for your responses all! I have pushed the foam back in using a credit card. The rattle I am getting is definitely caused by the retainer clip. When I unclip it, it stops. How safe is it to leave the retainer clip off the EL84? is the Valve likely to pop out of its socket? And If I chose to remove it altogether, is it a case of unscrewing the two screws around the valve? I have never done this before so want to make sure I know what I am doing. Also, is there anyway to prevent this rattling without removing the clip at all? Thank you all so much!
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Post by LuckyBlackCat on Mar 26, 2017 16:57:26 GMT -7
If you leave the clip off it's not likely the tube would fall out during normal use. You may want to make sure that it seats in the socket snugly, though, and occasionally just check to make sure it's not loose. If you're moving the amp around, I would put the clip on during transport at least.
You could also try putting the clip on and then adding a wrap or two of electrical tape. I've never done so, but I can't imagine it would be a problem. Tubes get hot but I doubt hot enough to damage electrical tape. You may have some residue to deal with though.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Mar 27, 2017 9:47:46 GMT -7
Don't wrap it with electrical tape unless you're fond of removing black sticky goo from your amp. Google 'silicone o ring tube' and you'll find a lot of sellers offering them cheap...I saw several priced at $5 for 10 that will fit EL-84 and 12AX7 varieties of tube.
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Post by timmiles on Mar 27, 2017 18:22:41 GMT -7
Thanks for both responses. Question for you, does the O ring replace the clip? or does it go over the clip.. or simply over the tube and clip remains off? My old MAZ had O rings on all the tubes.
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Post by headshrinker (Marc) on Mar 27, 2017 19:39:14 GMT -7
Over the tube and then the clip on.
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