Re: tube question

[The Bernadettes <mdestefano@xxxxxxxx>]

Daniel,
    Power tubes wear out faster.  Pre-amp tubes don't have to be changed unless they go
noisy, short out, arc, or just sound plain lousy.  If you like the sound of the amp, I'd
leave the pre-amp tubes alone.  Pre-amp tubes can last quite awhile, especially if
they're the older US or Western European manufactured NOS tubes.
    Power tubes are another story.  If they do short out, they can sometimes take other
components with them (such as the screen resistors).  Usually you'll have some warning
such as visible arcing inside the tube, weak power, and weak frequency response.  Age
has little do with wear, it's use.  Tubes will last forever if not used so you can't
judge by 5 years.  If you used the amp regularly, (say gigging every weekend, and
rehearsing once or twice a week) for 5 years, you're probably due for a power tube
change.  If the amp hasn't seen much use in 5 years, then don't sweat it.  Also, the
type of tubes and type of amp has a lot to do with it.  Again US or WE NOS tubes will
tend to outlast the newer Russian and Chinese made tubes, 6L6 GC tubes will outlast 6L6
WGB or GB or 5881 tubes, especially in amps with higher plate voltages.  For instance,
my silverface Super Reverb, which has high plate voltages, went through a set of NOS 6L6
WGB's in about 6 months, but I've had a pair of JJ 6L6 GC's in there now for over a
year, still going strong.  The JJ's are rated to withstand much higher plate voltages.
If you have a local amp tech with a good tube tester, pull the tubes and have them
tested.

Hope this helps some,
Don D.

Daniel Hein wrote:

> Hey folks,
> My guitar player mentioned something about changing my tubes every coupla
> years.  I've had my amp for maybe 5 years, with the same tubes.  To my ears
> it still sounds good, but maybe if I change the tubes it'd sound better?
> Does it depend on what tubes they are (who manfuactured them)?  I don't know
> who made the tubes, the amp is a Sonny Jr. 2 and it's the stock set-up if
> that helps.  Don't know if the pre-amps wear out faster than the power tubes
> or what.  Any help would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Dan
>
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