Could new valves be the answer?

[_tom_]

Recently I've noticed my sound is really dull and lifeless. I know some of it is to do with the Weber thing (I will probably get a Hotplate for my bday instead of trying to get a wah pedal if you think it will really be better), but I'm wondering if it may be time to replace the valves anyway? I've had the amp since the end of November last year with the stock groovetubes in it. If you reckon I should change em, what to?

Cheers!

[big steve]

are your strings dead?

[_tom_]

oh yeah I forgot about my strings  :lol:

[Gary]

I'm getting some Svetlanas put in my HRD to replace the stock valves that have been in for the last two years. I should be picking it up this weekend. I'll let you know when I've had a chance to try it out.

[38thBeatle]

Far more likely to be the strings than the valves Tom.

[HJM]

If you play an hour or two a night, change strings once a week at least!

[PhilKing]

I know guys who only change valves when they get microphonic.  They like the tone as the valves age.  

If you haven't changed your strings, then that is much more likely to be your problem.  I have a lot of guitars, so there are some  I don't play much, but I still try to change the strings on them every 6 months.  On the ones I play more, I change them every couple of months.  Remember I am not playing out and I am also lucky in that my hands don't sweat at all.

[Ratrod]

I had something similar with my HRDLX. The sound went dull and lifeless. I changed the tubes but it was still the same. Two days later smoke came out the back and the tubes looked like lava! The problem was the output transformer. My amp tech replaced it with an Amplimo 3A534 designed by Vanderveen. This problem can occur on 1 in a 1000 amps.

Your power tubes should be fine for a year or so. If it isn't your guitar, tubes or whatever, have it checked out by a professional.

[HJM]

I had something similar with my HRDLX. The sound went dull and lifeless. I changed the tubes but it was still the same. Two days later smoke came out the back and the tubes looked like lava! The problem was the output transformer. My amp tech replaced it with an Amplimo 3A534 designed by Vanderveen. This problem can occur on 1 in a 1000 amps.

Your power tubes should be fine for a year or so. If it isn't your guitar, tubes or whatever, have it checked out by a professional.

That's why yours sounds so good then.............

[Bob Johnson]

I have 1974 Traynor YGL3 head and as far as I can tell it still has the original Phillips valves in it. The valves can't be much newer than that 'cos the 6CA7 phillips valves where apparently cost reduced and rebadged as Mullards after Phillips took them over. The amp still sounds amazing. No probs at all.

[Ratrod]

I had something similar with my HRDLX. The sound went dull and lifeless. I changed the tubes but it was still the same. Two days later smoke came out the back and the tubes looked like lava! The problem was the output transformer. My amp tech replaced it with an Amplimo 3A534 designed by Vanderveen. This problem can occur on 1 in a 1000 amps.

Your power tubes should be fine for a year or so. If it isn't your guitar, tubes or whatever, have it checked out by a professional.

That's why yours sounds so good then.............

 :lol:  Don't forget the cheapo Orion 6L6 power tubes. I don't know that much about amps but Vanderveen seems to be some sort of amp/transformer guru.

[indysmith]

If you play an hour or two a night, change strings once a week at least!

what?! i play more often than that, and i change my strings about once every 2 months!  :P

[HJM]

I have sweaty mits....

[_tom_]

I changed the strings and it brightened it up a bit. Still pretty dull though. I think it must be the Weber thing cutting off too much high end, will a hotplate definately be better?

Cheers!

[HJM]

Yes :!: