| Author |
Topic: Changing Valve in Fender Twin |
Paul E. Brennan
From:
Dublin, Ireland
|
Posted 16 Dec 2009 6:52 am |
|
I think my Fender Twin Reverb '65 Reissue is due for a valve change. I've had very good experiences with the Mesa Boogie valves in the past. My question is, if I buy the valves in matched pairs, in what position does each pair go? By position I mean looking at the amp from the back, position 1 is the leftmost valve, position 4 is the rightmost valve.
Do the pairs go in positions 1,2 and 3,4 or do they go in positions 1,4 and 2,3 ? |
|
|
 |
John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
|
Posted 18 Dec 2009 11:02 am
|
|
| Can't you get a matched quad of valves? |
|
|
|
Tim Whitlock
From:
Colorado, USA
|
Posted 18 Dec 2009 2:28 pm
|
|
| What John said. In answer to your question though - 1,4 and 2,3 are paired together. Your amp will still work at half power by removing either pair. |
|
|
|
Paul E. Brennan
From:
Dublin, Ireland
|
Posted 18 Dec 2009 2:58 pm
|
|
| Thanks for the information guys. |
|
|
|
John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
|
Posted 18 Dec 2009 3:02 pm
|
|
| You should probably get the amp biased when you put in a new quad set of valves. |
|
|
|
Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
|
Posted 19 Dec 2009 5:53 am
|
|
| I would highly recommend a JJ Twin Reverb Twin kit for this amp. The kit is excellent and well matched for your amp. I have used many of these kits this year and have another 12 on order for my next amp project. |
|
|
|
Paul E. Brennan
From:
Dublin, Ireland
|
Posted 19 Dec 2009 6:41 am
|
|
I put a complete set of JJs into a Twin a few years back. I wasn't impressed. However, that amp was one of the much vilified "Evil" Twins. It's bad reputation is well deserved. I know JJ valves are well thought of but they didn't do much for that amp.
I got rid of that piece of junk after much frustration and bought the '65 Re-Issue.
By the way, this amp is for my 6-string. For steel I've used a Peavey Reno for many years. |
|
|
|
Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
|
Posted 19 Dec 2009 6:58 am
|
|
If you want to hear some JJ tubes go here:
http://foxvintageamps.com/classic_green_003.htm
Listen to Tommy Butler playing the new amp with 4 x 6l6GC JJ tubes. Also has a 12AY7 EH tube in the preamp and two more JJ ECC83 (12AX7) in the preamp section.
I have used hundreds of JJ tubes in the shop in the last 5 years. My first choice, always!
In fairness to any tube amp and tube manufacturer, the power tubes must be properly biased or the amp will not sound its best!
I do not bias my amps at the recommended 70 percent plate power dissipation. I keep them down around 60 percent, get a fine tone and get a more tube life as well. If you are looking a blues tone, some natural compression and distortion 70 percent plate dissipation rules! |
|
|
|
James Morehead
From:
Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.
|
Posted 19 Dec 2009 9:07 am
|
|
Brother Ken speak-eths 'de truth. I have a quad of JJ's in my '75 Vibrosonic Ken worked over, and it sounds wonderful.  |
|
|
|
John Billings
From:
Ohio, USA
|
Posted 19 Dec 2009 11:11 am
|
|
| Also in my Quad turned Twin. |
|
|
|
Paul E. Brennan
From:
Dublin, Ireland
|
Posted 20 Dec 2009 11:25 am
|
|
I believe you guys. I have heard a lot of good things about JJ valves. The Mesa Boogie valves were available in a local music shop. I needed to change for forthcoming busy Christmas season so I just went out and bought a set. I have no complaints about the sound. It's a fairly dramatic improvement on the stock valves (Groove Tubes).
Next time around I'll go for the JJs.
Of course tone is all in the fingers anyway, isn't it....  |
|
|
|
