Question:
I have a classic 30 and I can't get a good tone out of it past 2. Any EQ settings that might help? I have a GE-7.
Answer:
what exactly is "not good" about your sound right now?
what is your current EQ setup (on the amp)?
Answer:
Do you mean above 2, or below 2?
??
Answer:
I mean the tone it gets above 2 sucks. I can't explain how it sucks. Like if it's below two it rocks, but past that it's a very not good sound.
Answer:
Originally Posted by smashing guitar I mean the tone it gets above 2 sucks. I can't explain how it sucks. Like if it's below two it rocks, but past that it's a very not good sound. could your tubes or your speaker be shot?
My guitarist runs his Classic 50 up above 6 (i'm thinking up around 8-10) and it sounds great up there.
Answer:
Originally Posted by thesteve could your tubes or your speaker be shot?
My guitarist runs his Classic 50 up above 6 (i'm thinking up around 8-10) and it sounds great up there.
That must be pretty loud.
My Deluxe just gets better and better as I turn it up. Is the tone actually "bad" or do you just not like it? It could just be a personal preference instead of an actual problem.
-Nick
Answer:
Originally Posted by Only Alive That must be pretty loud.
My Deluxe just gets better and better as I turn it up. Is the tone actually "bad" or do you just not like it? It could just be a personal preference instead of an actual problem.
-Nick
well...gigging musicians...cranked tone is what we rely on for soupy thick tube tone...and for getting over our drummer's huge kit (not alot of pieces, just BIG pieces)
Answer:
Have you tried it without the G7? The effect might be robbing it of tone. I have played Classic 30's before and that is not a characteristic I have ever noticed with them.
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I think my tubes are dead. Almost 15 years and the tubes have never been replaced.
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Originally Posted by smashing guitar I think my tubes are dead. Almost 15 years and the tubes have never been replaced. that could definitely do it.
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Originally Posted by smashing guitar I think my tubes are dead. Almost 15 years and the tubes have never been replaced.
Eh, I dunno. Might be able to get a few more years out of em...
Seriously though, thats you're problem right there. Change em. Now.
Oh, and how often are we supposed to change each type of tube? I think it's about time with some of mine, but i'm not sure.
Answer:
Originally Posted by PianoMan Oh, and how often are we supposed to change each type of tube? I think it's about time with some of mine, but i'm not sure.
the general rule with power tubes is something like once every 6-12 months and with pre-amp tubes it's like 12-18 months...but this is a very flexible rule and changes according to amp bias, tube type, playing conditions (time, volume) etc.
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On my amp (1985 Mesa Boogie Studio .22), I keep record of when I change tubes out (and it's usually due to necessity - like something not working), and my power tubes last an average of about 9 months per matched pair, while my pre-amp tubes are on year 3 and I've only replaced the phase inverter, and I've done that 2 times. So I'd say 18 months for a 12 AX7 phase inverter, and longer for a 12AX7 doing another job. Of course, if one goes microphonic on you, you have to replace it even if it hasn't been long enough or whatever...
I always keep at least 1 known good 12AX7 preamp tube and 1 known good matched pair of power tubes in my tote bag - I don't have a backup amp (yet).
Nate
Answer:
I don't understand the concept of changing tubes based on x number of months, especially without knowing how many hours of use its getting per week/month...
Tubes don't age unless they are being used, and they "wear out" at different rates depending on how hard they are being pushed - the voltage of the amp, how deeply they are being distorted. If a cycle of tube replacement is based on anything, it should be based on hours of use, which will vary greatly from one player to another. I read one isolated blurb that power tubes with a good vacuum should last like 700 - 800 or so hours. As an example, the amp I use at church probably gets about 1 hour of actual use each week for practice and 2 services, and I don't push it into heavy distortion. That's about 50 hours a year - they could well last 10 or 15 years. My HR Deville's tubes had a couple years or more of gigging on them, probably something like 300 hours or more. I recently compared them to some new ones, and they are still as strong as new. Not all tubes will last the same amount of time - they are going to vary. IMO, the best way to see if your amp needs new tubes is to have a set "in stock" - if you think they might be getting weak, swap them out and see if there is an improvement. If not, swap 'em back and put the new ones back in the box. Having spare tubes to swap out is like having a spare tire in your car - a necessity if you are serious about getting where you're going.
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Major Tom brings up a good point. I only change my power tubes out when it's basically a necessity (the tone sounds considerably weaker than a new set). My amp is, as far as I know, wired to be running the power tubes "full on" whether I'm playing or not, so they wear a bit faster than others. I'd say I run my amp about 6-10 hours each week, and it gets moved around a lot. So......for my EL84's that works out to be about 300-350 hours per set. Preamp tubes have all lasted much longer.
Nate