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Post by cvogue on Apr 12, 2018 0:24:55 GMT -5
So I got a couple of new preamp tubes, (EHX) and tried to install them but the tube sockets are so tight I can't get them all the way in. They were in tightly enough to allow me to play at practice but I brought it home to see what I can do. I didn't want to force them but I can't even get the tube covers back over them.
Would some contact cleaner help?
Help me Splawn forumites, you're my only hope!!
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Post by briman on Apr 12, 2018 0:49:06 GMT -5
Wiggle them in circles while pushing down. They will go in.
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Post by cvogue on Apr 12, 2018 0:54:19 GMT -5
Wiggle them in circles while pushing down. They will go in. Was trying that technique (worked on other amps I've owned) but man I was really worried about breaking the tube. Was using a lot of force. But I was in a hurry since the band was waiting for me. Would contact cleaner help? |
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Post by briman on Apr 12, 2018 1:01:45 GMT -5
Yeah it might lube it enough to go in easier. Lol that's what she said!
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Post by gtrjunior on Apr 12, 2018 6:56:00 GMT -5
Try the contact cleaner. Personally whenever I swap/roll tubes I always clean both the sockets by spraying the tube pins and shaking off any excess then work them into the sockets.
I would probably get something like an Ove-Glove in case one were to break and then wiggle them on like Brian said. They will go in...just take your time with them. A little at a time.
Tight sockets are better than loose ones.
That’s what HE said. Lol
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Post by splawndude on Apr 12, 2018 8:46:00 GMT -5
Contact cleaner, as mentioned, should help. Don't use that crap from the hardware store. Make sure it is geared for electronics connections at a minimum. I like Dioxit. You probably know this, but don't spray it directly into the socket. Spray it on the pins like GTR is saying and then work it in.
Another trick you can try, that I have also personally done, is to get a needle nose pliers and 'push' a pin or two closer to the middle. Does that make sense. Carefully of course.
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Post by briman on Apr 12, 2018 11:19:36 GMT -5
Tight sockets are better than loose ones. That’s what HE said. Lol Lmao! 😂 |
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Post by cvogue on Apr 12, 2018 11:28:49 GMT -5
Sigh... I knew it would go into the gutter... LOL! OK, so I'm surprised that you guys didn't ask how the EHX tubes sounded...  So they do sound quite different from the stock tubes. I replaced V2 and V3 and it did brighten things up, kinda demushified it as well, but since I had the treble and presence kinda cranked it sounded a bit raspy, backed those off and it was good. What surprised me was that my guitar was more dynamic... pickup selection changes were much more noticable, pretty cool! I may do a hybrid thing per gtrjunior's suggestion, maybe an EHX and a JJ and see what that sounds like but for now my goal is to get the EHX tubes fully installed and tweak things on the amp from there. See how it goes. |
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Post by gtrjunior on Apr 12, 2018 12:08:06 GMT -5
Sigh... I knew it would go into the gutter... LOL! OK, so I'm surprised that you guys didn't ask how the EHX tubes sounded... So they do sound quite different from the stock tubes. I replaced V2 and V3 and it did brighten things up, kinda demushified it as well, but since I had the treble and presence kinda cranked it sounded a bit raspy, backed those off and it was good. What surprised me was that my guitar was more dynamic... pickup selection changes were much more noticable, pretty cool! I may do a hybrid thing per gtrjunior's suggestion, maybe an EHX and a JJ and see what that sounds like but for now my goal is to get the EHX tubes fully installed and tweak things on the amp from there. See how it goes. Cool! Glad you like them. I’ve tried the EHX in a couple of amps and they just seemed too bright for me. But now I’m thinking I want i put one in V3 and pair it up with a JJ and see what happens!! I just can’t stop. Lol |
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Post by briman on Apr 12, 2018 12:37:48 GMT -5
I love EHX EL34's! My fave tube for Splawn. Very articulate and warm. 2nd fave is Tung Sol. Very similar imo but ehx a tad more dynamic and articulate.
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Post by cvogue on Apr 12, 2018 13:20:25 GMT -5
I love EHX EL34's! My fave tube for Splawn. Very articulate and warm. 2nd fave is Tung Sol. Very similar imo but ehx a tad more dynamic and articulate. Yeah I put Tung Sol EL34's in my Blackstar... it did warm it up, louder and more articulate. Won't be messing with power tubes in my Street Rod just yet... first I gotta get these EHX 12AX7s to behave! |
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Post by cvogue on Apr 14, 2018 18:54:39 GMT -5
OK, I got the tubes installed properly in my amp... I think the sockets are different, you get them to a certain point and then the tubes snap in. Contact cleaner helped. Did some tube swapping, ended up using one of the new EHX ones and one of the stock (V2 and V3). Sounds good in my spare bedroom but who knows how it'll sound with the band!
Good Lord this thing is loud!
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Post by gtrjunior on Apr 14, 2018 20:21:39 GMT -5
Glorious, isn’t it?
Glad you got the tubes squared away. I noticed that the stock power tubes fit nice and snug while the aftermarket ones I tried were slightly more loose. When I installed the Chinese tubes I got from Tubedepot.com they fit snugly like the stock ones. Probably just the way the tubes are designed.
I didn’t have much of a difference with the preamp tubes like you did, but I did notice that they do indeed seem to “pop” into place.
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Post by cvogue on Apr 19, 2018 11:09:23 GMT -5
Hey gtrjunior, do you have any clips of your QR with the JJ's in there. I'm thinking about ordering a couple of JJ 12AX7s and seeing how they do. Noticed last night that the amp in certain situations actually *was* too bright and a bit raspy. Had that problem in my Blackstar with EHX tubes and JJ's fixed it. Just wondering, thanks!
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Post by gtrjunior on Apr 19, 2018 13:55:55 GMT -5
I actually don’t have any clips but I love the JJ’s in my QR. I have a regular ECC83 in V2 and the high gain ECC803 in V3. I tried each of them in each preamp slot and i thought it sounded better like I have it. Tiny difference really.
If I had to describe what type of tone I’m getting I’d say it’s REALLY close to Cantrell.
For the price, I’d say go ahead and order a couple of JJ’s and check them out. I usually buy from tubedepot.com. They are a great retailer.
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