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Post by rickyp on May 8, 2020 10:43:48 GMT -7
Planning on re-tubing by Z-Plus (18 months old, gigged a bit, tubes pushed pretty hard). Planning on following Z’s recommendations regarding tubes, but wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a tube that’ll give me a little more headroom?
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Post by purpletele on May 8, 2020 11:06:17 GMT -7
Planning on re-tubing by Z-Plus (18 months old, gigged a bit, tubes pushed pretty hard). Planning on following Z’s recommendations regarding tubes, but wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a tube that’ll give me a little more headroom? rickyp, Regarding the tubes, I would recommend getting a really nice rectifier. My used Z-Plus came with a JJ Rectifier. When I had an event I replaced the rectifier with another new JJ that I had and I blew a fuse again. That scenario was repeated with a new rectifier, and new power tubes. I went round and round and became confused and disoriented, ultimately we determined that the JJ Rectifiers do not work well in the Z-Plus. I have a NOS GE 5AR4 coming, $60 for that tube, wow. Dr. Z confirmed the analysis on the JJ Rectifiers and the Z-Plus not being a good match. I believe that the Shu Guang 5AR4 is the recommended rectifier tube. As far as head room, I am not sure what 6 V 6 tube will achieve that. I do like to use a clean boost that takes it up just a notch or two when I play that amp.
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on May 8, 2020 14:13:31 GMT -7
Those JJ 6V6 tubes are about as stout as they come. I’m not sure you’ll find anything that will increase your headroom beyond that. What power tubes are in there now?
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Post by rickyp on May 8, 2020 15:38:33 GMT -7
Those JJ 6V6 tubes are about as stout as they come. I’m not sure you’ll find anything that will increase your headroom beyond that. What power tubes are in there now? Stock.
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Post by sharkboy on May 9, 2020 18:01:46 GMT -7
There are a few things to try in the pre and PI that are circuit-dependent that can slightly improve headroom. Some will direct you to an 12at7 or 12ay7 for the preamp, but that mostly allows greater granularity prior to breakup. Some amps do better with more of a current driver in the PI position- something like a 12au7.
Despite being a crazy tube roller, I have left all my Zs with stock tubes, since they sounded so amazing the first time I plugged them in.
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Post by zpilot on May 12, 2020 15:46:23 GMT -7
I used a NOS 5751 in V1 for awhile in my MAZ 8 which has the same preamp as the Z-Plus. That was to increase "headroom" since they have 70% of the gain of a 12AX7. I found that it was best to stay with a 12AX7, although I still prefer a good NOS tube. The amp just responds better. If I want headroom I just keep my guitar volume down around 7 or so. You might need a treble bleed cap in your guitar to be happy with that. I do that with all of my amps.
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