Question:
I'm thinking about replacing the tubes on my classis 30 and i went to the music store. the guy said it would cost $130 to buy all the replacement tubes. Is this a reasonable price? Do you guys buy them somethwere cheaper?
Answer:
I'm wondering why you would be considering replacing all the tubes at once?
If you do indeed replace all the tubes at once, you could possibly spend $130. It's only the power tubes that really "burn out" due to use, though, and thus those are the only tubes that need to be routinely changed out (I change my pair of power tubes out on average every 8 months or so, or when the amp begins to sound "weak"). The preamp (usually a 12AX7 variety) tubes will sometimes go "microphonic" (amplify unwanted noise from vibrations) and need replacement, but that's usually a one-at-a-time deal.
Anyway, preamp (12AX7) tubes can be had for as little as 8 USD each and as much as about 100 USD each. I have been using (in my Mesa Studio .22) JJ/Tesla or Electroharmonix tubes that cost about 10 USD each.
Power amp tubes (my amp uses EL84/6BQ5) are usually bought and sold in matched pairs and can be as cheap as $12 per pair and as expensive as $250 per pair. I use Sovtek power tubes most of the time (though sometimes I'll pick up a different brand to see if I can hear a difference), at a price of about $20 per pair.
Nate
Answer:
That price sounds high to me.
IIRC, the C30 is 4xEL84 and 3x12AX7. at www.eurotubes.com, a full retube would be in the $60+ s/h range.
Answer:
Yep, way too high. And you usually do change the tubes out all at one time... Don't wait until one burns out.
Usually people change them for a different tone. (and because tubes wear out)
Answer:
Originally Posted by Building429_Boy Yep, way too high. And you usually do change the tubes out all at one time... Don't wait until one burns out. Yes but no. Generally you change the power tubes all at once and the pre-amp tubes all at once, but not necessarily both sections at the same time.
When I sold my HRDlx to Kato, I sent him both my old tubes and the ones I had recently purchased in November/December. Last I checked, he's actually running a combination of the old and the new tubes.
Also, some players will change one or two but not all of the pre-amp tubes at a time. I've read before (and I think that Major Tom has brought this up) that the phase-inverter tends to wear out faster than the other pre-amp tubes and thus needs more frequent replacement. I believe he recommended that it be swapped out with the power tubes, but I honestly can't recall exactly.
That being said, I'd like to retube my tube amp with a fresh set...that would be
4x6V6
4x12AX7
1x12AU7
1x(I believe 6CA4)
I expect this to run me right around $100-$120.
Someday, if I ever get that amp up and running to it's full potential I might actually talk about it in depth on CGR
Answer:
Originally Posted by thesteve Yes but no. Generally you change the power tubes all at once and the pre-amp tubes all at once, but not necessarily both sections at the same time.
Right. That's what I was going to clarify, but forgot.
Answer:
hmmm ok, thanks, i figured i'd change them all because I bought the amp used 2 years ago and never even thought about changing them. i just wanted to see if it would sound different with a fresh set of tubes. $60 sounds a lot better. Thanks a bunch.
Answer:
Try thetubestore.com, or tubedepot.com