Replacement Tubes

epictring

I wanna get some replacement tubes for my Fender Super Sonic (older 60 watt series) since I'll be doing a few gigs soon. Currently it has JJ's in but when I went online I see the options of "Gold pinned" and other variations.

What should I get? And should I then get one replacement tube for every kind of tube in it?

Thanks

Tubes (from Fender website)
Preamp Tubes: 6 x 12AX7, 2 x 12AT7
Power Tubes: 2 x 6L6

ezietsman

Typically you would replace all the power tubes when one of them starts going bad. I'd also keep one of each of the others, so in your case,

2x 6L6
1x 12at7
1x 12ax7

different valves makes a very small difference typically, you can try rolling them, keep in mind that your amp will need biasing (I think) if you change the power tubes. The rest of them can usually be changed without any further hassle.

epictring

ez wrote: Typically you would replace all the power tubes when one of them starts going bad. I'd also keep one of each of the others, so in your case,

2x 6L6
1x 12at7
1x 12ax7

different valves makes a very small difference typically, you can try rolling them, keep in mind that your amp will need biasing (I think) if you change the power tubes. The rest of them can usually be changed without any further hassle.

Thanks

But I don't have to re bias if I replace with the same brand of power tubes?

AlanRatcliffe

You still need to rebias.

Power valves try a set of SED "Winged C" 6L6GC. Don't bother with NOS unless you have money to burn or want to keep a set for recording. Also change your phase invertor when you replace power valves.

Preamp valves, start building up a stock of NOS to experiment with - start with your V1 and V2. Some of the Philips JAN valves are well worth trying and are still affordable.

epictring

Should I lookup on rebiasing myself or rather go to a tech?

What if a valve goes at a gig?

ezietsman

epictring wrote: Should I lookup on rebiasing myself or rather go to a tech?

What if a valve goes at a gig?

If you are not sure how to do it, take it to a tech

At a gig, use another amp, have a backup amp / modeller pedal / something between your guitar players in case something bad happens. A dark noisy, alcohol-filled bar is not the place to try and rebias an amp. This is asking to get electrocuted.

AlanRatcliffe

ez wrote: If you are not sure how to do it, take it to a tech

+1. By all means look into learning how to do it yourself, but if you're not technically inclined, it's one of those things left to a pro.

A dark noisy, alcohol-filled bar is not the place to try and rebias an amp. This is asking to get electrocuted.

Amen. The old way of doing it was to replace the tubes just to get through the gig, but taking it for a rebias before using it after that. Still, that can put undue stress on, and shorten the life of the valves.

Gearhead

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: Amen. The old way of doing it was to replace the tubes just to get through the gig, but taking it for a rebias before using it after that. Still, that can put undue stress on, and shorten the life of the valves.

You will only suffer the shorter lifespan if the new tubes are biased too hot. One way would be to get two sets and take the hotter biased set as backup, so without rebias on stage they run colder than they could be run. Then again, if you can afford to have a full backup set, you can afford a set lasting a little bit less long...

epictring

Thanks for the info,

Alright so the Power tubes need to be replaced together if one goes.

But preamp tubes can be replaced one for one without bias resetting?
I guess it's better to replace all preamp tubes if say one goes wrong?

ezietsman

epictring wrote: Thanks for the info,

Alright so the Power tubes need to be replaced together if one goes.

But preamp tubes can be replaced one for one without bias resetting?
I guess it's better to replace all preamp tubes if say one goes wrong?

yes. Replace all power tubes when one goes, rebias your amp if its a fixed-bias amp.

Preamp tubes usually don't need rebiasing, never heard of an amp that needs it but some may need that, this one prob not. They also last much longer as a rule so just replace the one that went. I think that's about right.

Gearhead

No, preamp tubes work the one after the other and are usually self-biased. You can do all sorts of things to the one without the other knowing. In amp like yours, the power tubes work together like cylinders in an engine; don't change the one and not the other.

AlanRatcliffe

Gearhead wrote: In amp like yours, the power tubes work together like cylinders in an engine; don't change the one and not the other.

Nice analogy!