THIS SUCKS. Tube won't fit!

TheGoodTexan · March 11th, 2005, 06:49 PM

So, purely from the 6V6 thread earlier this week...I ordered a set of JJs from Bob at Eurotubes, to replace the EHs in my Alamo Montclair Reverb 2565 (circa 1967). Its sort of got a "big Champ" tone. I've got Greenback in it.

Anyway, Bob was great, of course, and I got the tubes today, and rushed home to try them out. I unplugged the amp, pulled the EHs out....the JJs WON'T FIT.

I tried to use as much force as I felt comportable with...without risking damage to the tube or the amp...but the JJs just won't go in.

Upon further inspection...the metal prongs on the EH tubes are tapered at the end (rounded over), and the JJs are not...they're just squared off, and sort of rough even. I did use a micrometer to measure the diameter of the prongs on the JJs, and they're the reading the same as EHs....so that's not it.

The prongs on each set of tubes look good and straight to me.

Should I use a hand file, and taper off the JJs?

Daddy Elmis · March 11th, 2005, 06:59 PM

I would call or email Bob -- he'll be able to tell you what to do.

Caper · March 11th, 2005, 08:51 PM

I just checked a new set of JJ's I have here, they are the same as you describe but mine will fit the tube sockets of 3 6V6 amps I have here right now.

Tremo · March 11th, 2005, 09:42 PM

I had no problems getting the JJ 6V6 to fit into the sockets on my BFDR.

Bill Ashton · March 12th, 2005, 09:04 AM

with 6L6's I ordered (though I don't think they were from Bob), trying to fit them into my BF Tremolux...it seems to me I had to open up the contact springs in the tube sockets just a little. The bottles were almost too big for the head, bu thtey did fit.

Tell you the truth, the JJ's sound much better than the RCA's that I had in it, though that might be because they were on their way out...it will be worth the work and trouble for you to get them to work.

TheGoodTexan · March 12th, 2005, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Ashton

with 6L6's I ordered (though I don't think they were from Bob), trying to fit them into my BF Tremolux...it seems to me I had to open up the contact springs in the tube sockets just a little. The bottles were almost too big for the head, bu thtey did fit.

Tell you the truth, the JJ's sound much better than the RCA's that I had in it, though that might be because they were on their way out...it will be worth the work and trouble for you to get them to work.

I may have some time today to mess around with it. I think I'll try this, as it doesn't seem to be to involved. Probably just use a small flat-head screw driver? Like a jeweler's screw driver. Use it to spread them out a little?

Wally · March 12th, 2005, 12:44 PM

Dangerous voltages lurk in that amp, right? A conductive probe...screwdriver...can complete a line of current when adjusting the tube sockets unless you have drained the filter caps.

TheGoodTexan · March 12th, 2005, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wally

Dangerous voltages lurk in that amp, right? A conductive probe...screwdriver...can complete a line of current when adjusting the tube sockets unless you have drained the filter caps.

Gotcha. I'll wear my rubber gloves.

Actually, I'll probably just put the EH 6V6s back in and forget about it. Just save the JJs for something else later on.

Dr. Z is using EH 6V6s...they must be decent. I like'em in this amp.

I'll have to check that glow in the dark test that someone mentioned in another thread.

zook · March 12th, 2005, 05:33 PM

The problem you are describing comes for a bit too much solder on ther tube pins. Get some 600 grit automotive sandpaper and sand the pins down a bit. I usually cut or tear the paper into strips, hang the paper over the pin and pull it back and forth (like buffing shoes, if you know how that worked).

Winnie

weelie · March 12th, 2005, 06:44 PM

JJs didn't fit my Champ (with the weber 8a125), so I use EH.

poboy · March 12th, 2005, 10:39 PM

>> JJs didn't fit my Champ (with the weber 8a125), so I use EH.

If the tubes are hitting the magnet cover, you can remove it to make room for the tube... it is purely cosmetic.

Tremo · March 13th, 2005, 03:43 AM

An Eh in a Champ? Oh man, you like to gamble.

March 12th, 2005, 09:04 AM	#5 (permalink)
Bill Ashton Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Central Massachusetts Posts: 482	I had same problem... with 6L6's I ordered (though I don't think they were from Bob), trying to fit them into my BF Tremolux...it seems to me I had to open up the contact springs in the tube sockets just a little. The bottles were almost too big for the head, bu thtey did fit. Tell you the truth, the JJ's sound much better than the RCA's that I had in it, though that might be because they were on their way out...it will be worth the work and trouble for you to get them to work.

March 12th, 2005, 12:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
Wally Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 3,988	Caution!! Dangerous voltages lurk in that amp, right? A conductive probe...screwdriver...can complete a line of current when adjusting the tube sockets unless you have drained the filter caps.

March 12th, 2005, 05:33 PM	#9 (permalink)
zook Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Northeast Kingdom, Vermont Posts: 813	Dress the tube pins The problem you are describing comes for a bit too much solder on ther tube pins. Get some 600 grit automotive sandpaper and sand the pins down a bit. I usually cut or tear the paper into strips, hang the paper over the pin and pull it back and forth (like buffing shoes, if you know how that worked). Winnie __________________ I have noticed that happy people are often evaluating themselves and unhappy people are always evaluating others. -William Glasser

March 12th, 2005, 06:44 PM	#10 (permalink)
weelie Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Helsinki, Finland, Yer-up Age: 34 Posts: 1,957 12 Photos	JJs didn't fit my Champ (with the weber 8a125), so I use EH. __________________ <- I don't need smileys, I'm smiling already.

March 11th, 2005, 06:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
Daddy Elmis Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: USA Posts: 961	I would call or email Bob -- he'll be able to tell you what to do.

March 11th, 2005, 08:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
Caper Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,169 7 Photos	I just checked a new set of JJ's I have here, they are the same as you describe but mine will fit the tube sockets of 3 6V6 amps I have here right now.

March 11th, 2005, 09:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tremo Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Silicon Valley, CA, USA Posts: 3,736	I had no problems getting the JJ 6V6 to fit into the sockets on my BFDR.

March 12th, 2005, 10:39 PM	#11 (permalink)
poboy TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 92	>> JJs didn't fit my Champ (with the weber 8a125), so I use EH. If the tubes are hitting the magnet cover, you can remove it to make room for the tube... it is purely cosmetic.

March 13th, 2005, 03:43 AM	#12 (permalink)
Tremo Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Silicon Valley, CA, USA Posts: 3,736	An Eh in a Champ? Oh man, you like to gamble.