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Post by carrjimi on Nov 25, 2023 8:36:30 GMT -7
Curious to get others experience with tube life. I've had my CAZ for about 2.5 years. It gets gigged regularly. Anyone change their power tubes yet. How hot does the CAZ run vs other amps in the Z line up?
Thanks!
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Post by adam on Nov 26, 2023 4:57:48 GMT -7
You could maybe try playing something into a looper pedal, record it, put in a backup set of tubes, record the loop again, and then compare the recordings. Obviously lots of potential pitfalls in the process there, but it's something to try. Also not sure on exactly what to look for, like if the new set is louder, maybe there some where on your current tubes, or maybe just the newer tubes were more powerful to being with. My gut thought is that your tubes are tried and true and maybe if the goal is just maintenance to try and make sure your amp doesn't fail on a gig, you could possibly be going in the wrong direction by trying to do the right thing and replace the tubes. Maybe one of the z guys can chime in, and then just forget everything I said.
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Post by frankie on Nov 27, 2023 12:02:53 GMT -7
Curious to get others experience with tube life. I've had my CAZ for about 2.5 years. It gets gigged regularly. Anyone change their power tubes yet. How hot does the CAZ run vs other amps in the Z line up? Thanks! Working tubes are better than the unknown. Even new tubes have no guarantee of being "good," which is why we burn and screen them. The sign of worn power tubes are much like that of tires. You will lose tightness and response in the low end, and the top end detail will begin to fade. Other than a failure (red plating, arching), there's no real way to determine the wear. The good thing is the 6L6s used in the CAZ 45 are among the most stout and reliable on the market. They are not being pushed very hard either, so they should last a long time. adam made a good suggestion. Set your looper up. Get a back up pair, put them in (no bias necessary), then try the old pair vs. the new pair. If you can perceive a difference, make the old pair your new back up. Again, to the tire analogy, sometimes you don't realize how your car has lost it's handling/response until after you get a fresh set of tires. It's not that the old tires weren't usable though.
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Post by carrjimi on Nov 28, 2023 7:02:59 GMT -7
You could maybe try playing something into a looper pedal, record it, put in a backup set of tubes, record the loop again, and then compare the recordings. Obviously lots of potential pitfalls in the process there, but it's something to try. Also not sure on exactly what to look for, like if the new set is louder, maybe there some where on your current tubes, or maybe just the newer tubes were more powerful to being with. My gut thought is that your tubes are tried and true and maybe if the goal is just maintenance to try and make sure your amp doesn't fail on a gig, you could possibly be going in the wrong direction by trying to do the right thing and replace the tubes. Maybe one of the z guys can chime in, and then just forget everything I said. Great Idea! Thanks Adam!
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Post by carrjimi on Nov 28, 2023 7:03:53 GMT -7
You could maybe try playing something into a looper pedal, record it, put in a backup set of tubes, record the loop again, and then compare the recordings. Obviously lots of potential pitfalls in the process there, but it's something to try. Also not sure on exactly what to look for, like if the new set is louder, maybe there some where on your current tubes, or maybe just the newer tubes were more powerful to being with. My gut thought is that your tubes are tried and true and maybe if the goal is just maintenance to try and make sure your amp doesn't fail on a gig, you could possibly be going in the wrong direction by trying to do the right thing and replace the tubes. Maybe one of the z guys can chime in, and then just forget everything I said. Great Idea! Thanks Adam! Just ordered a new pair. Thanks for the input!
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Post by adam on Nov 28, 2023 17:57:59 GMT -7
Just ordered a new pair. Thanks for the input! Let us know how it goes. Obviously I'm a little curious. I wonder how much your cab has broken in over time too, but no way to figure that on out.
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Post by carrjimi on Dec 4, 2023 18:53:47 GMT -7
Just ordered a new pair. Thanks for the input! Let us know how it goes. Obviously I'm a little curious. I wonder how much your cab has broken in over time too, but no way to figure that on out. Impossible to tell!! Just put the new tubes in. Still sounds great. What speakers do you use yours with? I've got the ZBEST with a cream back and a V30. I have a hard time leaving good enough alone! I was thinking of trying the Zbest with 2 Greenbacks.
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Post by carrjimi on Dec 4, 2023 18:54:21 GMT -7
You could maybe try playing something into a looper pedal, record it, put in a backup set of tubes, record the loop again, and then compare the recordings. Obviously lots of potential pitfalls in the process there, but it's something to try. Also not sure on exactly what to look for, like if the new set is louder, maybe there some where on your current tubes, or maybe just the newer tubes were more powerful to being with. My gut thought is that your tubes are tried and true and maybe if the goal is just maintenance to try and make sure your amp doesn't fail on a gig, you could possibly be going in the wrong direction by trying to do the right thing and replace the tubes. Maybe one of the z guys can chime in, and then just forget everything I said. Great Idea! Thanks Adam! Thanks Frankie!
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Post by adam on Dec 4, 2023 19:39:11 GMT -7
Let us know how it goes. Obviously I'm a little curious. I wonder how much your cab has broken in over time too, but no way to figure that on out. Impossible to tell!! Just put the new tubes in. Still sounds great. What speakers do you use yours with? I've got the ZBEST with a cream back and a V30. I have a hard time leaving good enough alone! I was thinking of trying the Zbest with 2 Greenbacks. I guess if you didn't notice any difference with the new tubes, that's a good thing. In general, I like the amp with a straight 4x12 with creambacks and greenbacks, a slant 4x12 with v30 and h30, and I liked it a lot in a closed 2x12 with v30 and alnico cream. But, depending on the day, sometimes really liked it in all greenback 4x12 too. imho, v30 and h30 combo is hard to beat in tandom for really saturated or really clean. Lows and highs from the h30 and mids from the v30, and they are both pretty punchy to me.
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