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Post by DonaldDemon on Jul 19, 2010 9:56:02 GMT -5
After going through the woes of blowing fuses, getting replacement tubes and having them fail, I have some important info for Pro Mod users. Apparently Tung Sols and a lot of the Russian made New Sensor branded 6550’s don’t handle amps with a plate voltage over 450 very well. From what I understand Splawn's run a plate voltage close to 500, which may be why Scott stopped using Tung Sols in his amps.
So as a FYI, I would steer away from these Russian 6550's and stick with KT88's or some of the Chinese 6550's like Ruby. Otherwise you may run the risk of blowing fuses and possibly damaging amp components.
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Post by Patrick on Jul 19, 2010 12:01:01 GMT -5
Thx for the heads up DD!
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Post by DonaldDemon on Jul 19, 2010 13:37:12 GMT -5
 No problem. I just want others to go through the hassle I have been through. It kind of sucks because they are my favorite sounding tubes in this amp yet but I can’t take that risk anymore. I have some Penta KT88’s on their way to me now!
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Post by philm on Jul 28, 2010 7:09:32 GMT -5
Interesting. Mine is a later '06 and it came from the factory with 6550s. It even has a sticker inside saying that it came stock set up with those tubes. I bought it used in March '10, but it arrived with a quad of TS 6550s and I've done 15-20 shows with them. I wonder if my amp is somehow different from other Pro Mods?
I hope you're wrong about the tubes (at leas for my amp). I've got a brand new quad of them waiting to be installed...cost me an arm and a leg.
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Post by DonaldDemon on Jul 28, 2010 8:05:59 GMT -5
Interesting. Mine is a later '06 and it came from the factory with 6550s. It even has a sticker inside saying that it came stock set up with those tubes. I bought it used in March '10, but it arrived with a quad of TS 6550s and I've done 15-20 shows with them. I wonder if my amp is somehow different from other Pro Mods? I hope you're wrong about the tubes (at leas for my amp). I've got a brand new quad of them waiting to be installed...cost me an arm and a leg. It’s hard to say because my first quad lasted me about 2 years with no problems but the last two quads I put in were not good. I think the quality has gotten worse on these Russian made tubes. Talk to any tube dealer and they will tell you the TS 6550’s aren’t good a t handling high plate voltages over 450. If you gig often I would return them and get some KT88’s back in there. |
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Post by philm on Jul 28, 2010 8:27:29 GMT -5
I got mine from Doug's Tubes, so I'll check with him. I know KCA won't stock any 6550s anymore. Doug seemed to think the TSes were solid and would hold up.
I will also check with Splawn to see about my particular amp--to see if they did anything different with the circuitry. The amp is god-like. I bought the new tubes so that I'd have them on hand but I've been hesitant to change them out because the head has sounded so great since the day I got it.
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Post by DonaldDemon on Jul 28, 2010 9:10:08 GMT -5
I got mine from Doug's Tubes, so I'll check with him. I know KCA won't stock any 6550s anymore. Doug seemed to think the TSes were solid and would hold up. I will also check with Splawn to see about my particular amp--to see if they did anything different with the circuitry. The amp is god-like. I bought the new tubes so that I'd have them on hand but I've been hesitant to change them out because the head has sounded so great since the day I got it. I got mine from Doug too and he told me he would have not recommended the Tung Sols had he known the plate voltage was so high for Splawns. Report back with what the guys at Splawn say. I would be surprised if yours was any different. |
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Post by philm on Jul 28, 2010 9:43:12 GMT -5
Report back with what the guys at Splawn say. I would be surprised if yours was any different. Yeah, me too. I just can't imagine they'd set up an amp with a tube that wasn't readily available. This would've only been 3 or 4 years ago. I told him mine was a Splawn, but I had no idea what the plate voltage was. I'll check in with him, but I'm not sure he'll let me exchange them now. I bought them about 2 months ago. |
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Post by philm on Jul 28, 2010 11:22:42 GMT -5
DD, Doug recommended the Penta KT88SC tubes instead, which it sounds like you got as well. How are those working out? Do they bias in the same range?
Phil
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Post by DonaldDemon on Jul 28, 2010 17:10:01 GMT -5
DD, Doug recommended the Penta KT88SC tubes instead, which it sounds like you got as well. How are those working out? Do they bias in the same range? Phil Hey Phil, I have them sitting here but have been sick for the past few days and haven't had the ability to get around to putting them in yet. I will post an update when I do though! I hope they sound as good as the TS 6550's |
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Post by philm on Jul 28, 2010 17:53:18 GMT -5
Cool. I spoke with Doug Preston today and I'm going to be swapping mine.
Oh, and hope you feel better.
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Post by DonaldDemon on Jul 28, 2010 19:20:38 GMT -5
Thanks. Doug is good people. He helped me out of this tube mess. |
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Post by DonaldDemon on Aug 4, 2010 19:18:22 GMT -5
Quick update: Penta Labs KT88 are awesome. I should have not worried because they sound much better than the Tung Sol 6550's. My amp feels alive and thumping again!
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Post by shreder75 on Aug 4, 2010 19:26:46 GMT -5
I really have nothing to add to this but I figured I'd say what up, whore? =D
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Post by DonaldDemon on Aug 4, 2010 20:15:37 GMT -5
I really have nothing to add to this but I figured I'd say what up, whore? =D haha...what's up sweet tits! How's the new pad doing? |
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