Replacing Tubes?

Freddy V-C · Post by **Freddy V-C** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 3:58 pm

My Tiny Terror seems to have become noticeably quieter recently. Am I right in thinking that this could be a sign that I need to replace the tubes? I've had the amp for just over two years and haven't ever replaced anything.

If I do need to replace them. What brands are worth looking at and how much will I be looking at spending?

batsbrew · Post by **batsbrew** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 4:16 pm

quieter is often times better.

could be either preamp or power amp

google is your friend..
find the tiny terror forum (or whatever it would be called) and poll actual users to see what they're using.

there are places to buy tubes everywhere in the world, a quick search will tell you how much you will spend.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 6:29 pm

JJ tubes are worth a look.

GreenKnee · Post by **GreenKnee** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 6:54 pm

I've always used EHX tubes, not sure what the general consensus is on them, but I find them to be quite pleasant.

batsbrew · Post by **batsbrew** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 7:00 pm

i use mesa tubes.
have never had a failure.

in 30 years.
LOL

SGJarrod · Post by **SGJarrod** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 8:45 pm

I have tried quite a few different tube combonations in my time using a Tiny Terror or currently my Dual Terror...

for the EL84's...

-TADs...what I am currently running.... they are stubbier than most EL84's which does two things...a) they run hot as Fook, which is not a real issue with the TT as the whole amp enclosure is basically one big vent system....b) they have a unreal solid crunch that is great in an Orange

-Mesa's.... normal size and have a darker crisp tone

-JJ....rock solid EL84's...more conventional than the others mentioned above...these are the best bang for the buck and is what u think of in terms of EL84 tone

For 12ax7's

-TADs.... what I am currently running.... very quiet, standard gain, smooth and thick tone

-JJ..... to my ears they are pretty spot on with the TADs but are a bit noisier

-Tung-sol..... I did not like these.... they are high gain and no where near as smooth as the others mentioned above, dare i say a bit harsh sounding.... these did not stay in long

Out of all of these set ups I prefer to run all JJ's or all TAD's......the JJ's are more traditional and affordable....the TAD's are hotter/crunchier/firmer and quiter.....what ever u choose I recommend a High Grade in V1 to keep ur amp quiet

NickS · Post by **NickS** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:28 pm

In the UK HotRoxuk.com and Watfordvalves.com are usually competitive. Watford Valves also do cryo-treated (Mike and Doog, IIRC, have tried these and can hear the difference)

Post by **Doog** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:30 pm

NickS wrote: Watford Valves also do cryo-treated (Mike and Doog, IIRC, have tried these and can hear the difference)

T'was Mike and Euan, if memory serves; I've been a JJ/Tesla man since day 1.

othomas2 · Post by **othomas2** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 10:48 pm

I'm kinda at your stage with my amp, but I come to the conclusion that if it aint broke don't fix it !!

I'm seeing brand new amps at work blow on a weekly basis without mistreatment, which re-emphasises my thinking.

I have JJ tubes. No complaints.

Gabriel · Post by **Gabriel** » Tue Mar 27, 2012 10:28 pm

I've got JJ El84s and Tung-sol reissue 12AX7s (theres a few models by Tung-sol) in my AC30. Really like the sound I'm getting now, definitely more chimey than the stock chinese tubes (that were crap) and the drive sound is cool - it is a bit ragged but thats kind of the charm.

JohnnyTheBoy · Post by **JohnnyTheBoy** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 10:50 am

NickS wrote:In the UK HotRoxuk.com

Nice guys to deal with and very helpful/reasonable...I favour ehx and bought a matched pair for Â£28
From them....

serfx · Post by **serfx** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:50 am

for some reason i always buy sovtek/ehx tubes..
though i have a mismashed collection of some kicking about at the moment.. odd brands, from the last time i was playing with my amps for differnet tones.

laterallateral · Post by **laterallateral** » Fri Mar 30, 2012 1:47 pm

I buy a lot of my low power tubes (EL84, 6V6 and 12AX7 variants) from old radios, record players and projector amps that I find at swap meets. I'll pay 10-15 dollars per device, yank the tubes and leave the carcass with the vendor. It's a bit of a gamble but I can generally harvest 5-10 good testing tubes from a single unit. Which is cheap as can be PLUS, I love the idea of reusing this stuff... Plenty of good tubes that are just sitting around in old junk nobody's ever going to put to serious use again.

For high power tubes, I'm partial to Tung Sol and Winged C because the ones I've had have lasted me a very long time, in different amps, in all kinds of situations. Very rugged for lightbulbs.

kypdurron · Post by **kypdurron** » Sun Apr 01, 2012 10:19 am

for the record, everything you can buy new comes from 3 facilities, that's JJ in Slovakia, Sovtek in Russia and Shogun in China. There's nobody else left who makes tubes. This statement is backed by Randall Smith and Uli Behringer, so I guess there is little doubt it's true. So, Tung Sol, Mesa or whatever is basically the same, but in some cases more expensive.