2 CH Dual Rec - Sound issue - HELP!

tunedown · May 19, 2009

Hey everyone, I'm experiencing something that I don't like and I need some help...

It seems to me that my 2 CH Dual Rectifier is starting to sound a bit "cloudy". It's just not as bright and cutting and I've noticed this over the past 2 or 3 practices... I'm wondering if these are the warning signs for anything. Has anybody else noticed something like this? Am I looking at a possible re-tube soon?

Please help if you've experienced this before or if you have any theories.

I leave for tour on Thursday morning.

Thank you

fluff191 · May 19, 2009

Sounds like you are due for a full re-tube. And before tour its a good thing to probably do anyways. But it sounds like you have a power tube dying.

screamingdaisy · May 19, 2009

Retube.

Soon It'll start to sound muddy and you'll wonder why it doesn't seem as loud as it normally does even though your volume knob is higher than normal.

tunedown · May 19, 2009

ok.

1) Darn it.
2) Thank you.

3) the tour-kickoff show is Wed. night, so I don't have time for mail order... I'm gonna have to do this locally.

Depending on what's available in town in the next 24 hours, can I get away with a Sovtek 6L6WXT+ power tube? if not, what do you recommend that's a heavily stocked 6L6 tube?

Also, should I go ahead and swap the preamp tubes as well? These preamp tubes were a JJ high-gain preamp set from eurotubes and, if I had to guess, I wouldn't say I've had them much longer then a year and a half...

fluff191 · May 19, 2009

Yes you can. Thats what I am putting in my Recto as well. They are essentially identical to Mesa's tube (Mesa re-brands them with thier logo). So you should be fine.

And I would just start with power tubes first. The JJ's should be fine.

clutch71 · May 19, 2009

I agree with Fluffy on the Pream tubes. Replace the power section first (I know that's the more expensive route but time is of the essence apparently)

Personally, I'd avoid the Sovtek 6L6WXT+. I had them in a 98 Rev 2CH and found them Brittle. I prefered the Groove Tube EL34 LS. I've also used Mesa tubes (Never a big fan of those either but they last forever and a day) and JJ 6l6's. I've heard good things about Ruby's as well Mesa, preferring the EL34 BSTR for my Marshall.

Almost all of the above are available in most music shops. Other board members may be able to comment here, but I believe you should look for a rating between 4-7 for Mesa's fixed Bias.

Good luck,

What tour are you on BTW...