REPLACING VALVES MYSELF ANY TIPS/PRECAUTIONS?

[EXPRESSLOVER]

Hey Boogie lovers!

Can anyone assist me with replacing the valves on the express 5:50?

IT IS MY 1ST TIME ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE MY OWN VALVES SO IS THERE ANY PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE AS I HEAR THERE ARE LETHAL VOLTAGES INSIDE THE AMP THAT CAN KILL YOU?!!!!!

THE AMP IS FIXED BIAS MEANING I CAN CHANGE THEM MYSELF W/O A TECH TO DO IT?

It's been over a year so I want to re-valve her for a fresh clean sound for the gig'n year. I plan on keeping the old ones as emergency spares.

So ;

1. What recommended valves to buy?
2. Any valves out there that can increase distortion levels(i.e watford valves cryotubes?)
3. Do I stick with 6l6 or can I use el34's etc?
4. ANY PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE WHILE REVALVING THE AMP MYSELF?

Thx all for reading!

 

[Shin Chan]

Hey Boogie lovers!

Can anyone assist me with replacing the valves on the express 5:50?

IT IS MY 1ST TIME ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE MY OWN VALVES SO IS THERE ANY PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE AS I HEAR THERE ARE LETHAL VOLTAGES INSIDE THE AMP THAT CAN KILL YOU?!!!!!

THE AMP IS FIXED BIAS MEANING I CAN CHANGE THEM MYSELF W/O A TECH TO DO IT?

It's been over a year so I want to re-valve her for a fresh clean sound for the gig'n year. I plan on keeping the old ones as emergency spares.

So ;

1. What recommended valves to buy?
2. Any valves out there that can increase distortion levels(i.e watford valves cryotubes?)
3. Do I stick with 6l6 or can I use el34's etc?
4. ANY PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE WHILE REVALVING THE AMP MYSELF?

Thx all for reading!

i'm no expert but uses the valves recommended and don't mix them. and yes turn off your power because you can get shocked.

 

[edward]

Hey Boogie lovers!

Can anyone assist me with replacing the valves on the express 5:50?

IT IS MY 1ST TIME ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE MY OWN VALVES SO IS THERE ANY PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE AS I HEAR THERE ARE LETHAL VOLTAGES INSIDE THE AMP THAT CAN KILL YOU?!!!!!

THE AMP IS FIXED BIAS MEANING I CAN CHANGE THEM MYSELF W/O A TECH TO DO IT?

It's been over a year so I want to re-valve her for a fresh clean sound for the gig'n year. I plan on keeping the old ones as emergency spares.

So ;

1. What recommended valves to buy?
2. Any valves out there that can increase distortion levels(i.e watford valves cryotubes?)
3. Do I stick with 6l6 or can I use el34's etc?
4. ANY PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE WHILE REVALVING THE AMP MYSELF?

Thx all for reading!

1.Lots of tubes out there. Stick with the Mesa ones if you like the stock sound. Experimentation, though, is key to arriving at a tone you truly like if you're shooting for something other than bone-stock tone.
2. Yes, not "brand name" though. You just choose a tube that others have ID'd does what you want. Brand name offers zero assurances, regardless of the hype.
3. You have to stick to the tube that was designed for the amp. Unless there is a switch on the back to choose between EL and 6L6, you should not change to diff power tubes.
4. No precautions other than good light so you can see, and clean hands so you can grip. Wiggle them as little as possible, and only use as much pressure as will do the job. It's easy and goof free ...just use common sense.

Edward

 

[EXPRESSLOVER]

Hey guys thx alot.

Does this mean I have to stick with 6l6?

Can I use 6l6 from another brand like groove tubes etc???


Thx..

 

[Shin Chan]

Hey guys thx alot.

Does this mean I have to stick with 6l6?

Can I use 6l6 from another brand like groove tubes etc???


Thx..

if your amp only takes 6l6 then i would use 6l6 and what ever pre amp tube that is recommended. i dont think brand matters

 

[vbf]

several of us on this board have replaced our stock tubes with a set from Doug's Tubes. I'm very happy with the way my amp sounds. BTW, I've never heard tubes referred to as "valves" before. I must live a sheltered life.

 

[kekam35]

BTW, I've never heard tubes referred to as "valves" before. I must live a sheltered life.

Very common in Europe.

 

[EtherealWidow]

In French they're called "lampes." Don't know about Arabic though. Maybe ????? or ???? or ????? or something... :lol:

 

[vbf]

I learn all kind of cool stuff here

 

[Fcal124]

+1 on the set from Doug's Tubes.
He has a complete set of preamp and power tubes selected specifically for the 5:50
I have a set. Just make sure you put the preamp tubes in, in the right order.
If you decide to get them and you aren't sure, PM me for the tube order.
And BTW, you're not gonna get zapped just changing tubes. I just re-biased my M@#$hall JVM, and I'm still alive. :mrgreen:

 

[ryjan]

Mesa's are fixed bias which means you HAVE to select power tubes that work in the Mesa bias range. Any reputable tube dealer should be able to find you the correct ones. Also, the only tubes that won't void your warranty are stock Mesa's or Groove Tubes of the appropriate rating.

 

[soundchaser59]

The only things in the amp that have enough voltage to hurt you are things inside the chassis. You have to take the chassis out of the amp to get to those things. Just changing tubes is not going to hurt you at all. Other than touching the power cord prongs while plugged in, or touching both speaker terminals while the guitar is playing, there is nothing you can see from the outside (without removing the chassis) that will hurt you. And I'm not even sure you would get shocked by touching the speaker terminals when sound is playing, but it seems to make sense. It is voltage and current that drives the speaker.

Of course, simple common sense applies. It is not 110% fool proof, but you would have to try really really hard to hurt yourself without taking the chassis out of the cab. :mrgreen:

In my never ever so humble opinion, you will be disappointed in the sound of EL34's. I used them (in a different amp I have) for about an hour and immediately switched back to the 6L6's. Much better sound from the 6L6's.

 

[EXPRESSLOVER]

Thx guys.

Read all your tips and I will look into dougs for preamps.


I'm still not sure about the order of the preamp valves! Confused on that! I'll look at the mesa grid chart in the manual.

In UK,Ireland rest of Europe we call them valves..


I say tubes/valves/bottles whatever!!!

Cool, I feel confident now about changing my valves. Thx to all.

I there any cool specific brands to increase the gain/distortion on my express??

 

[Shin Chan]

The only things in the amp that have enough voltage to hurt you are things inside the chassis. You have to take the chassis out of the amp to get to those things. Just changing tubes is not going to hurt you at all. Other than touching the power cord prongs while plugged in, or touching both speaker terminals while the guitar is playing, there is nothing you can see from the outside (without removing the chassis) that will hurt you. And I'm not even sure you would get shocked by touching the speaker terminals when sound is playing, but it seems to make sense. It is voltage and current that drives the speaker.

Of course, simple common sense applies. It is not 110% fool proof, but you would have to try really really hard to hurt yourself without taking the chassis out of the cab. :mrgreen:

In my never ever so humble opinion, you will be disappointed in the sound of EL34's. I used them (in a different amp I have) for about an hour and immediately switched back to the 6L6's. Much better sound from the 6L6's.

6l6 4 life

 

[edward]

Thx guys.
...I there any cool specific brands to increase the gain/distortion on my express??

That's the tough part. The answer is "yes," but the nature of the gain and the dynamics will also change. The real question is will you like the change? Tube swaps are like experimenting with brands and gauges of strings. What you prefer is impossible to predict, and just because it works for one person doesn't mean it will work (and sound "good") for you.

Bottom line:
- Be willing to experiment.
- Use only good tubes to start with.
- Be honest with yourself and trust your ears as cost or brand mean little; your ears are the final judge.
- Be willing to spend some money as the nature of this tone quest offer no guarantees.
- Be willing to spend some time. And I mean days/weeks living with a tone for a while. Ear fatigues sets in quickly at high volumes and can cause you to mis-judge a tube's tone if you're swapping them quickly.
- Be methodical. Change 1 at a time or you have no idea how each tube/position affects your tone.
- Read the Mesa tube map ...it'll tell you what each preamp position's task is.
- Know that tube swaps yield differences that can be very subtle, and in some cases no diff at all. Don't expect miracles.
- Get advice from folks who know this amp, know tubes very well, and also plays your style of music.

Side note: Doug at Doug's tubes is good. And Mike at KCA Tubes is really good (I've been very satisfied with Mike over many purchases)
http://www.kcanostubes.com/content/

FWIW, I am a big believer in tailoring the amp to one's personal style/taste, and tubes can get you that last 5% difference. But you must first like the amp's core tone (which clearly you do), and know specifically what you're aiming for. Hope this helps you a bit

Edward