[kudochop]

I just got a 5150 combo and I have a couple quick questions:

When do you know the tubes are bad?

How about the pre-amp tubes?

Is there anything I should do for maintenance?

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated... Thanks!
:bowdown: :icon_peac

 

[RCM78]

Did you buy the amp new? Does it have the stock tubes?
Mine came with Sovtek 6L6WXT power tubes and a mix of Sovtek and ElectroHarmonix pre-amp tubes.

Now I have JJ 6L6GC power tubes and all EH pre-amp tubes.

The JJ's sound much better then the Sovtek's. Much smoother. Before the switch I allways noticed a sizzle on top of the tone when playing single notes or solo's. Also, chords have a little more definition.

I didnt notice a difference replacing the Pre-amp tubes.

FYI, The first three pre-amp tubes shape your sound and are the gain stages. The fourth runs the effect's loop and the fifth is a phase inverter.

 

[kudochop]

Thanks for the info :thumbup: I bought the amp used, I'm assuming the tubes are the originals.

 

[VB]

Just a lil FYI.. most tubes are made by Electro-Harmonix now days. that includes GT... Ruby tubes... JJ's and Sovtek.
VGB

 

[mab8485]

Are they the exact same tubes with different brands printed on them?

 

[VB]

Yep. same tubes. just screened with a different name.

 

[RCM78]

The JJ's are not the same as the Sovteks. They are larger, the constuction inside them looks very different and most of all they sound different. Better in my opinion.


There are some tubes out there that are rebadged. But the JJ's are not.

 

[VB]

yes they are somewhat larger in construction do to the tube type. but they are manufactured by Electro-harmonix/ sovtek. Each type of tube is constructed differently according to the pin configuration. and with tubes size isnt everything. There were many tubes that were made oversized just to look bigger.
They probably sound better if they were bought as a matched set and not just thrown together.

 

[RCM78]

Sovtek and Electro Harmonix are manufactured by "New Sensor Corporation".

JJ Tesla, Svetlana, and Ei are not. These companies manufacture there own tubes...

 

[Weldaar]

I have a pair of Ruby tubes that were made by Svetlana. (At least that's what I was told when I had my amp modded 3 years ago). I could be mistaken.
A good tube these days are "Winged C". From what I hear they are argueably one of the best.
I had J~J's E34L's in my amp and they muffled my sound too much. Sounded like I had a blanket over my cabinet. Yes! There were biased properly. I knew you were going to ask that