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Post by norwegianguitarist on Feb 13, 2023 18:35:14 GMT -5
Hey, I got an amp that got 2 unmarked, noname powertubes. I'm pretty sure it is EL34's, but is there any way I can be certain? Any way I can see a difference between EL34 and other powertubes?
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Post by sumgai on Feb 13, 2023 19:09:31 GMT -5
Yeah, simply Bingle for images of power-amp tubes. You'll see some very different tube shapes, and many of them are distinctive to a given label. For instance, an EL34 has a tall, slender body, and either rounded top, or sometimes a flat one:   Contrast those to a 6L6, which is more squat in appearance:  I suggest you search for Images, not just the generic "All Results". Then you can more easily compare those images with what's in your amp. BTW, what kind/model of amp are we talking about here?  HTH sumgai |
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Post by norwegianguitarist on Feb 13, 2023 19:53:49 GMT -5
It is a Wangs VT50H.
I know it it supposed to have EL34's in it, but just making sure, and also because I got this when it was in it's first stages being experimented with and prototypes and crap.
Therefore, I cannot be sure. And one of the tubes died today.
Better to ask than to mess up.
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Post by norwegianguitarist on Feb 13, 2023 19:54:25 GMT -5
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Post by gckelloch on Feb 13, 2023 21:58:27 GMT -5
Hate to be the harbinger of bad news, but you should consider Belden tube socket replacements for that amp. The stock ones have very poor quality contacts that can cause all manner of problems. The dead power tube may be one such result. Apparently, an otherwise very good amp:
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Post by sumgai on Feb 14, 2023 0:12:20 GMT -5
gckelloch seems to be correct about those tube sockets, but before you go replacing them..... Check carefully that the resistors bridging across the pins are not burned to a crisp. At this point, it would be a "best practice" to simply replace both the sockets and resistors anyway, regardless of how they look. They won't add that much more cost to the total job. And from what I can read, all of the larger output amps made by Wangs use EL34 tubes. Certainly your image is one such. Did your amp perhaps come with a schematic? I don't see any such in my searches around the web..... EDIT: While one can substitute other power tubes with a bit of work, it's usually not a direct one-to-one job. In many cases, an extra resistor will be required (per socket), or going the other way, that "extra" resistor will screw things up in a hurry. Be certain that you want to go down this road before getting out the soldering iron. And for Gawd's sake, don't ever forget ChrisK's foremost safety rule: Someone is always the fuse. Make sure it ain't you! HTH sumgai
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Post by norwegianguitarist on Feb 14, 2023 8:37:26 GMT -5
Yeah, pretty nice amp. It is based on JCM 800 on the dirty channel, and the Fender Silverface on the clean channel.
Not completely true about the tubes. If I'm not completely wrong, the VT-100H comes with 6L6. But yeah, I thought they looked like EL34's.
Oh, man, that's some bad news. Guess it'll go to a repair shop in the future. I'm pretty handy and I fix all of my own gear. But this is kinda outside both my expertise and comfort zone.
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Post by sumgai on Feb 14, 2023 13:04:41 GMT -5
But this is kinda outside both my expertise and comfort zone. When one realizes they are not qualified to do a certain job, especially a job that entails lethal voltages, then one is most wise to seek qualified help. For this, you will not lose your Nutz Merit badge. We'd rather have live members than have to post your name to the In Memoriam sub-forum. HTH sumgai |
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