How to make your AMP'S TUBES last LONGER! Dr. Z AMA!
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- Опубліковано 1 чер 2024
- ALL MODIFICATIONS ARE DONE AT YOUR OWN RISK!
Not recommended for PCB constructed amplifiers.
Here are the parts you need for this modification:
Spring Tube Retainers
tubedepot.com/products/retain...
Silicon Tube Damper Rings
www.amplifiedparts.com/produc...
½” x 4-40 screws
www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-...
(optional) Silicon glue is recommended for securing the ring to the inside of the spring retainer.
For tube rattle I’ve had great luck with the tube dampers from Eurotubes. They’re a bit softer and have a lot more mass than the standard o-ring style type, and seem to be more effective in difficult situations like high-power combos amps.
I have those, too. Great product.
Agree with the Eurotubes dampers recommendation. WAY more mass than standard silicone rings. Eliminated 99% of my tube rattling issues (Fender HRDv).
It was just enjoyable listening and watching you teach...you know how to keep people interested and I'm sure it's helping many...✌️
This the only Amp builder who's awesome enough to put himself out there to help people, answer questions, and really help people.
Thank you Dr.Z
Great amps and a great guy.love you!
I love that Dr Z broke the fourth wall and admitted that poor electrical current will make your amp sound like "shit"....LOVE Dr. Z!
I have been around vacuum tubes since 1967.
I have recovered a few failing amps for myself and others, i have noticed the voltage deviations for myself without anyone to explain to me.
But im a trained electronics tech (afl-cio).
I recommend that users of vacuum tubes pay
Close attention to anything dr. Z had to say.
Seriously. This was all true, clearly stated,
And in the interest of sharing.
Thank you sir.
Lbk
I performed this mod on my own JETTA combo. What a difference! Before tube rattle was noticeable on any ringing E note, even with dampers on the tubes alone. Now with the new retainers it is quiet as a church mouse. Only took me about 10 minutes to get this done and less than $10 in parts. Loved the amp before, love it even more now. DR Z's customer support is unmatched in this industry as far as I am concerned.
I just learned more in 15 minutes than I’ve ever known about tube amps and I have played tube amps for over 40 years. Thank you Dr. Z! Someday I will own one of your combo’s. 👍
Your a really fantastic PERSON. Not thinking about yourself, or money or your business,. You truly care about what is going on in the world and your tips and tricks are helping people like me. I own a studio and several tube amps, Preamps and the like. I have been nervous as of late but you quality fixes has helped me a lot, so thank you. At this time we need to pray for Ukraine and the world, but posts like this go a long way to show your love of music, and I applaud you for it. My next amp purchase is a Dr Z, I put my money where my heart is!!! Or really, where your heart is.
This is a man who knows what to say and says it.The man is a wealth of knowledge about the dreaded tubes. Thanks for info...always a joy listening to someone who knows what hes talking about.
This may be the best video on UA-cam
Dr Z, I really enjoyed the write up about you on the Reverb Platform. That brought a smile inside for sure. It's no wonder that you have such good advice for us regarding our cherished tube amp. Regardless of where they came from. I knew when I saw you and your video the first time, that was going to be important. I would have loved to sit next to you for the Hell Freezes Over Tour to see your friend Joe Walsh jammin' out on your gear. Magnifico indeed. Thanks again for sharing as you do. I understand you
The Amp Maniac is another good alternative to the brown box. Cheaper too
my trick is play my amp unplugged
Now you have me looking for a Brown Box for my 1957 Silvertone Model 1392 with 6v6 tubes. Great information insight on Vacuum tubes & Amplifier Voltage sensitivity ❤️
This fix should be a mandatory consideration for amp manufacturers from now on. ; )
First-time listener and now a subscriber I have never owned a tube amp but this explains a lot of what happened to a buddy of mine if I purchase a tube amp, i probably will look at your inventory first
What a brilliant video. This guy makes me want to binge watch all his content! Knowledgeable and passionate and has that genuine care for musos and gear. I couldn’t help but think that if Dr Z swore in his videos he’d sound like Lewis Black. 😉
thanks for watching our "back catalog!"
This is just his opinion!!! I have 8 vintage Marshall Plexi amps from 1968 to 1971. Several of these amps still have their factory tubes. Two toured for 5 years, and I never had a single issue with them or their tubes. You do not need to replace tubes until they fail. Buy quality tubes and they will last a lifetime.
that's a great take away. if they aren't broken, don't fix them. no need to change power tubes as long as they are still working. people need to start thinking of their tubes as changing a light bulb. no one changes a light bulb until it's dead
@@DrZAmplification AMEN Brother amen. Keep up the good work.
Great thing my father was in Vietnam in the 1960s and I currently have 6 cases of USN 30s to 60s Amp tubes all nos he always said they would be worth money one day
Thank you for sharing your wisdom. I just bought a used (mint) BrownBox for $200 shipped. I've tried to contact the manufacturer on 3 separate occasions phone, YTube & email and he's never once provided assistance or help. I have no faith in their customer service at this point (all I did is ask for a manual). Nice product though. Rock on Z!
The Brown Box company has changed ownership . The originator of the product is no longer associated . Are you sure you are contacting the currant owners ?
@@mikezaite1335 thanks for the heads up. I will give them another try. Maybe I got them during transition? Who knows? That gives me hope! I've got many vintage amplifiers (two handwired JMP marshals, two MKII MV's and a 58 champ). I wanted to ensure that I'm doing everything properly. I'm pretty sure I've figured it all out at this juncture but support manuals would still be nice. I never want to assume anything. Thank you so much. I'd given up but I'l give em another try.
Great AMA as usual! I hope this recent “Tubepocalypse” ends soon.
Thanks so much Dr Z!!!
Thank you Dr. Z!
Thanks for the words of wisdom!
Thanks for a voice of reason during a time when tubes rival toilet paper! Good stuff!
👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks Doc! Glad to hear that Dr. Z Amps will be safe from tube shortage!
It amazes my that most amps don't have a decent input voltage regulator circuit to begin with. Hell, even most consumer electronics these days have a high speed switching power supply....Not guitar amps.
Clubs have notoriously crappy power but NOTHING is as bad as the outdoor "Festival" type venues that are generally run on generator!!!! Voltage sags and spikes gallor....let alone just overall dirty power.
I've been recommending the little APC line conditioner for some time and it makes a world of difference cleaning up the input power, but it's not adjustable. It's usually around $100 and is pretty fool-proof.
Great content!!
Thanks for sharing!!!
Unfortunately switching power supplies don't typically provide the voltages needed for higher output power tubes. Also, input regulation requires a stepping transformer/auto transformer, which can be an expensive additional cost, on top of the space needed inside the amp.
You the man, doc! Great to hear from ya again.
Thanks doc! Always fun to watch
Outstanding Idea Dr. Z
For discharging the filter caps it actually does not matter if the speaker is connected to the chassis, as the output transformer separates the speaker in any case from the DC circuit in which the caps discharge. If not discharging them manually with a high wattage/low Ohm resistor, heated up tubes are necessary for the DC circuit being closed via tube and output transfo.
I’ve played through several of your amps over the years. One day, I’m going to own one.
Thank you, Dr. Z.
Thanks! Great information.
Great video, thanks for sharing your knowledge!
Thank you!!! Awesome info!
Great video! Very informative and the close ups were on point.
Good to see you again Doc
Excellent video. Thanks for the info on the tube rattle . That’s a great upgrade .
Thanks Doc for a great lesson.
Cool video, I'm glad to hear someone else talking about the importance of clean power at the right voltages.
I have not only a Brown Box to reduce the voltage for my '67 Deluxe Reverb and my '76 Marshall JMP 2203, but a voltage regulator to stabilize my wall voltage and filter the power as well before it goes to the Brown Box. All this was more to protect the transformers, but the tubes as well.
Extremely helpful! Thank you!
Thanks Dr. Z for the great information! Always enjoy your AMA's.
Absolutely correct on this and also weather impacts the sound of most tube amps. When I first met Kenny Fischer from Train Wreck, he explained to me about weather and magnetic pull. When I got into making my own amps it was 100% aluminum chassis for some of the theories Kenny explained to me early on.
Thanks Mike! As always very good advice!
Sweet Doc! Thanks for sharing your knowledge! Awesome man!
Great to see you posting again.
Thanks for the tips, doc
Such an awesome, informative video! Thank you so much!
Thank you for your generosity in sharing this expert perspective!
Thanks Doc, very informative.
Thanks for sharing this knowledge, cheers!
Thanks for sharing that, Dr. Z. That was a very tidy mod with the split compression ring.
Thank you very much Z !!
Helpful as always ...!! Many thanks to you Dr Z ....
Good to see you again, Doc! Loving my new Z Master!
Great information and well explained. Nice job🙂
Dr Z AMA are always fantastic! Thanks Doc.
Thank you for your love of the community, and congratulations on your new source! Mucho appreciado
Very much appreciate your presentation, knowledge and sharing. Great job, Fun stuff!
Great video, Thanks DR Z
This video lesson was awesome!! Thank you 🙏
Dr. z great to have you guys back sharing more good vibes and solid knowledge.
Thank you for this, Dr. Z. It seems to be something I can easily adopt into my amateur amp building. Also, you have a glow about you in this vid, you seem very happy.
That is a wealth of knowledge given for free! Thanks Doc! ❤
Many thanks for this! 💚
Thank you Mike
Thank you man I could listen to you talk valves and amps all day ,...greeti gs from Oz !
Great Video Dr Z
You are awesome
Love your Logic Doc !!! Thanks !!!
Terrific. I've had a Brown Box for a long time at the studio using it with vintage amps but I can see the reasoning to have one for the newer amps too. We get very different voltage from the wall at times. Liked the MacGyver also.
Bought another one for my home setup after sending a couple friends to this video. Juice from my wall in home is 124-126! Brown Box Rx
Thanks Dr.
Thanks you Dr. Z 🙂
Great info ! Thank you dr Z 🤝🤝👍👍
Good point made, thanks 👍
You are str8 dope
Thanks for sharing
There’s no questioning your passion and affinity and knowledge
Your clear explanations are much appreciated
Thoroughly enjoy listening to you and for what you pass on
🤘
Wow Doc thx so much for the great info!!!!
I watch intently your AMA’s!!!
Such a great series, you sir are a god send! ❤
DR Z! Thank you!!! several looong standing mysteries of my musical life have been explained''''
Love this!
Preach, amen, Dr. Z! (Great video!)
Super informative, clearly explained, by a cat who is obviously passionate about his craft. Well done, Doc👏
This is awesome when I buy tube amps out will be dr.z's way to just be flat out helpful.
I got 2 of those Brown Boxes. They are great.
You can also discharge the caps by turning the amp on for 5 mins then turning it off. The hot plates will still conduct and thus discharge the caps. If you just turn the amp on then off, the tubes will be cold and the caps will be fully charged!! The tubes must be hot for this to work. I also discharge the caps via a 1K resistor across the caps. Nice to see the only viable use for a standby switch is to discharge the caps, as it serves no other use on “receiver” amplifiers :)
I got a NOS 6G6g in a tube lot. It is a lower power Pentode with the same pinout as a 6V6gt. They are rated for a lower voltage and in a 6v6 amp they don't last but 1/2 the time due to the abuse but boy did it sound great. I intend on trying to build an amp with the proper voltage to see what this tube sounds like in a guitar amp circuit designed for this tube. Playing with different NOS tubes is fun, produces unique tones and usually they are cheap. I like octal Preamp tubes, to me they have a really rich sound. I am building a SE amp with 1930's 2 digit tubes which I can't wait to hear. Tube compliment is 77,75, and 42 with an 80 rectifier.
Amazing for you to share this with us! I have a Dr Z Cure which suffers from tube rattle exactly as the Doc describes, at the tale end of a single on the fretboard. Doesn't even happen if I play the same note on a different string. Having a solution other than an expensive and otherwise unnecessary tube swap is amazing. Thanks Doc!
I’ve been doing this to any ef86 amp I build that’s higher than 5 watts. Very easy and effective way to cut down on microphonics. Thanx for the tip!
Wonderful video. You rock.
I never knew you could drain your filter caps with just the speaker load! Thanks for the awesome tip.
Kickass video, Dr. Z. My next amp will be one of yours 😎👍
Cool! Glad you’ve found an answer to the this tube shortage situation we find ourselves in. It’s also good to see you sharing knowledge with regards to ways to extend tube life. Nicely done!
Tubes are magic… but very few know the correct incantations required for maximum filament specters transfer from the planets of origin. Sigh…
adjusting bias 11:28 - Peak output X 0.7 = wattage at idle
Really appreciate this
Thanks Dr Zama
Excellent stuff, sir! I already use a variac, always careful to never crank it. In the studio, it’s practical. A Brown Box is definitely the way to go for any sort of gigging.
Great advice!
Thanks Dr. Z
Thanks so much Dr. Z for this video. I was going to buy a Brown Box a few years ago but never did. After watching this video I will now! I miss your weekly videos. Stay well! 😊👏🏻
Yes Sir, this video did help. As a matter of fact, it helped a lot. Will most definitely follow your good advice. Thanks Again
Thanks Mike!
I bought a "Tone Preserver" after checking my wall voltage on a Saturday afternoon and seeing 128 volts at the wall.
It also had a positive effect on my tone with my tweed based circuits.