Changing tubes on SilverFace DR?

hamish5178 · June 7th, 2008, 11:17 PM

I'm pretty sure my SFDR needs new tubes, it's a little noisy and "loose" and the preamp tubes look original.

I realize it probably needs new caps as well, but I don't want to drop $300 at an amp tech all at once. So can I go ahead and change the tubes myself?

Do I have to do anything with the biasing or will any set of matched 6v6s do?

Do I just pull out the old ones and drop in the new ones?

Also, are the sets sold on ebay OK, like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/JJ-Tube-Set-for-...QQcmdZViewItem

Or would it be better just to order them from thetubestore.com or something?

Thanks!

Scott S · June 7th, 2008, 11:59 PM

If the caps are really old, I'd get those changed first.

TexGoneNW · June 8th, 2008, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott S

If the caps are really old, I'd get those changed first.

+1

Cap replacement is your priority. You can test the tubes and see which ones really warrant replacement.

Axis29 · June 9th, 2008, 09:16 AM

Also, really you may not need preamp tubes. Preamp tubes don't go bad like power tubes.

As stated before, I'd get the caps checked first. If they're good, then go with a pair of power tubes. The problem is, if the caps go bad, those new tubes will be shot and maybe more stuff will have to be replaced on your amp.

June 7th, 2008, 11:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
hamish5178 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Delaware Age: 17 Posts: 242	Changing tubes on SilverFace DR? I'm pretty sure my SFDR needs new tubes, it's a little noisy and "loose" and the preamp tubes look original. I realize it probably needs new caps as well, but I don't want to drop $300 at an amp tech all at once. So can I go ahead and change the tubes myself? Do I have to do anything with the biasing or will any set of matched 6v6s do? Do I just pull out the old ones and drop in the new ones? Also, are the sets sold on ebay OK, like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/JJ-Tube-Set-for-...QQcmdZViewItem Or would it be better just to order them from thetubestore.com or something? Thanks! __________________ Fender 52RI - Gibson SG Standard '77 Deluxe Reverb SunFace w/ Sundial - ProCo RAT - Fulltone GT-500 Keeley AD-9 - Boss CH-1

June 9th, 2008, 09:16 AM	#4 (permalink)
Axis29 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Virginia, USA Age: 40 Posts: 1,133 1 Photos	Also, really you may not need preamp tubes. Preamp tubes don't go bad like power tubes. As stated before, I'd get the caps checked first. If they're good, then go with a pair of power tubes. The problem is, if the caps go bad, those new tubes will be shot and maybe more stuff will have to be replaced on your amp. __________________ John F. TDPRI # 1764

June 7th, 2008, 11:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
Scott S Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: SW CR IA US NA PE Age: 28 Posts: 1,922	If the caps are really old, I'd get those changed first.