Not exactly Mandolin related....
Fender guitar amp. gearheads! I have an old tweed Blues Jr. (thanks Gino Raugi!) that just got a new set of tubes. Massive improvement, like a different amp!! WOW!
Check out Eurotubes
https://www.eurotubes.com/store/pc/home.asp
A great family of people to work with.
Billy
Re: Not exactly Mandolin related....
Glad you found a good source for tubes. That said, if your old tubes were far enough out of spec any in spec tubes will make it sound better.
Re: Not exactly Mandolin related....
Power tubes and the phase inverter tube will make the most difference. If the amp is old you may want to check the filter caps too. If they go they can fry your amp. They also have a shelf life of ten years, used or not, but most will work way past that. They will also make a huge difference in sound.
Re: Not exactly Mandolin related....
Hey Pops1,
I am a complete ignoramus as far as amps and such go. What are filter caps and how do I check them? There is a competent technician in my area, should I have him check this out? From what I can figger the amp is from 1996 or 2001.
I have a Fender Deluxe with a taupe Tolex cover from the very early 60's I want to replace the tubes in also given the dramatic improvement of the B.J. Any comments on how to proceed with it?
Billy
Re: Not exactly Mandolin related....
Pops1
I did a bit of research and found this from Fromel in Seatle. I have used their products before and they are a top notch company.
https://fromelelectronics.com/collec...nt=34680055619
Re: Not exactly Mandolin related....
Billy, filter caps are what filter out the AC ripple after the rectifier, so you have DC for the tubes to work. If you look at them they may have a small dimple on the positive end, but if they are old have them replaced. I would have a tech do the work, as these caps have a few hundred volts on them and need to be drained. A tube amp is NO place for an inexperience person to be inside of. An AC shock goes to 0 120 times a second, so you can get off of the point of electric contact. DC never goes to 0 and it will hold you until the breaker trips, you will be dead long before that. Yes I am trying to scare you, but for a good reason, it's no place for an amateur. I would replace the filter caps in both amps if I were you, be sure to tell them to replace the bias cap also. The Deluxe is a great amp, and that makes it pre CBS, so even better. I would be doing caps before turning it on.
Re: Not exactly Mandolin related....
LOL !
No worries, pops1, I'm not even thinking about doing this myself. I know better for sure. I wouldn't qualify as an amateur!
There is a wonderful tech in my area I just got off the phone with that will be doing the work and yes I will do both amps. I plug things in, turn them on, plug in the instrument or mic and off I go. Changing the tubes was the absolute most I'd ever do. And I did unplug the amp before I changed out the tubes!
Thanks for your advice too!