Tube testing

You need a tube tester. You plug the tube in, set it up for the
particular tube you are testing, and turn it on. The meter will show
whether the tube is good or not.

If you have other amps around, try trading some tubes between amps and
see what happens.

Post by Captain Pleased
Is there any way to test tubes to see if they are shot or not? They
glow, but they glow differently to each other. How can I test tubes
to see if they're gone or not?

Captain Pleased

2007-02-01 18:01:29 UTC

Post by Robert Reynolds
You need a tube tester. You plug the tube in, set it up for the
particular tube you are testing, and turn it on. The meter will show
whether the tube is good or not.
If you have other amps around, try trading some tubes between amps and
see what happens.

Post by Captain Pleased
Is there any way to test tubes to see if they are shot or not? They
glow, but they glow differently to each other. How can I test tubes
to see if they're gone or not?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Thanks for that! I thought there might be a tester for tubes out
there. Now I have to find one to borrow or buy. But I bet a tester
like that is kind of high? I really don't know.

You see I never owned a tube amp of my own before, and I inherited
this one. I want to fix it, but not if it's going to cost a
rediculous amount of money. So I appreciate your help, and I guess I
can't go forward until I get those tubes tested. I have a sneaking
suspicion there may be something wrong with it other than just tubes
though, so before I pay out the hoosier for a bunch of tubes I want to
be sure they're out.

Ralf K. Buschner

2007-02-01 20:56:14 UTC

Post by Captain Pleased
Thanks for that! I thought there might be a tester for tubes out
there. Now I have to find one to borrow or buy. But I bet a tester
like that is kind of high? I really don't know.

A tube tester is more expensive than new tubes. Ask in TV repair shops,
especially old ones. If you would buy one, then you'd have another problem:
You have to know, what you're doing with it. Sometimes it's a bit tricky to
tell "good" or "wrong", if you cant understand, what tests to do and what
the builtin meter shows. So you better ask an expert or buy new tubes.
Next one: the electrolytic capacitors in the power supply are probably dead
or they will fail soon. They have to be replaced by new ones. Other caps,
especially coupling caps, can be wrong too...i had some amps from the 60's
and had to replace a bunch of those coupling caps.

Basically, if you get such an old amp and it's in a good working condition,
then praise the lord. If there's something wrong with it, it's (in my
opinion, for sure) nearly impossible to fix if you don't have some
knowledge in electronics...

Seeya,
Ralf

Robert Reynolds

2007-02-01 22:24:15 UTC

- Show quoted text -

Thanks for that! I thought there might be a tester for tubes out
there. Now I have to find one to borrow or buy. But I bet a tester
like that is kind of high? I really don't know.
You see I never owned a tube amp of my own before, and I inherited
this one. I want to fix it, but not if it's going to cost a
rediculous amount of money. So I appreciate your help, and I guess I
can't go forward until I get those tubes tested. I have a sneaking
suspicion there may be something wrong with it other than just tubes
though, so before I pay out the hoosier for a bunch of tubes I want to
be sure they're out.

If you want to find somebody local to test your tubes, try to find
somebody who works on guitars and amps. You can probably get some help
at a full service music shop. Ralf mentioned old TV shops, but most of
those guys are gone now.

What tubes are in your amp?

Captain Pleased

2007-02-02 06:50:16 UTC

- Show quoted text -

Thanks for that! I thought there might be a tester for tubes out
there. Now I have to find one to borrow or buy. But I bet a tester
like that is kind of high? I really don't know.
You see I never owned a tube amp of my own before, and I inherited
this one. I want to fix it, but not if it's going to cost a
rediculous amount of money. So I appreciate your help, and I guess I
can't go forward until I get those tubes tested. I have a sneaking
suspicion there may be something wrong with it other than just tubes
though, so before I pay out the hoosier for a bunch of tubes I want to
be sure they're out.

yeah, you're definitely right... i got to get some cat to look at it.
i called around and found one dude who works on them. he said he'd
take a look for about 20 bucks. i'll figure out what to do with it
after he tells me what's up. but of course, if it's going to take
hundreds i'm just going to shitcan it. it sure does look nice
though!

i think somewhere along the line some capacitors (like you guys said)
is starving the tubes for power. but i'm going to run it up to the
guy and let him test it out.

i want to thank everyone here for your very good advice! thank you
very much! i really appreciate that a lot.

Captain Pleased

2007-02-02 06:52:14 UTC

- Show quoted text -

Thanks for that! I thought there might be a tester for tubes out
there. Now I have to find one to borrow or buy. But I bet a tester
like that is kind of high? I really don't know.
You see I never owned a tube amp of my own before, and I inherited
this one. I want to fix it, but not if it's going to cost a
rediculous amount of money. So I appreciate your help, and I guess I
can't go forward until I get those tubes tested. I have a sneaking
suspicion there may be something wrong with it other than just tubes
though, so before I pay out the hoosier for a bunch of tubes I want to
be sure they're out.

what tubes?

One, 5YT-GT
Two, 6V6-GTA's
Two, 128X7A's

Captain Pleased

2007-02-02 06:53:43 UTC

- Show quoted text -

Thanks for that! I thought there might be a tester for tubes out
there. Now I have to find one to borrow or buy. But I bet a tester
like that is kind of high? I really don't know.
You see I never owned a tube amp of my own before, and I inherited
this one. I want to fix it, but not if it's going to cost a
rediculous amount of money. So I appreciate your help, and I guess I
can't go forward until I get those tubes tested. I have a sneaking
suspicion there may be something wrong with it other than just tubes
though, so before I pay out the hoosier for a bunch of tubes I want to
be sure they're out.

what tubes?
One, 5YT-GT
Two, 6V6-GTA's
Two, 128X7A's

and i'm not sure but i think this thing is 75 watts. but i can't
really tell.

Robert Reynolds

2007-02-02 14:27:43 UTC

Post by Captain Pleased
One, 5YT-GT
Two, 6V6-GTA's
Two, 128X7A's

and i'm not sure but i think this thing is 75 watts. but i can't
really tell.

With a pair of 6V6 power tubes, you're getting 15 to 25 watts at the most.

Captain Pleased

2007-02-02 16:05:27 UTC

Post by Captain Pleased
One, 5YT-GT
Two, 6V6-GTA's
Two, 128X7A's

and i'm not sure but i think this thing is 75 watts. but i can't
really tell.

With a pair of 6V6 power tubes, you're getting 15 to 25 watts at the most.

Oh really? See you can't tell from the anything written inside it,
and since it's not working right well... it was a guess.

Anyway, I know where to get all those tubes, pretty cheap. But I just
think I'm gonna shit can it.

I still got a free 12 string out of the deal (it came with the amp..my
brother gave me all this stuff from a friend that recently had died,
so it's a huge honor to have this axe in a beautiful way). It's a
gorgeous hand made Simon and Patrick cedar topped acoustic! Hand
luthiered in Quebec, and very very sweet. I'm in love again. What's
coming out of this 12 string seems to be fairly beautiful and trippy.
I got a chance to get down to basics again here. I've had a lot of
things on my mind lately. The simplicity of this wood is bringing me
back around. For the first time in a long while I slept with my
guitar again in the bed. I just wanted to play it till I fell
asleep. It smells like the inside of a cedar chest in an old attic.
I'm mesmerised by just how the strings vibe on this thing. It's a
complete miracle. I love it so much I don't seem to care about
anything for the last few days. Like a child.

Robert Reynolds

2007-02-02 21:10:56 UTC

What kind of amp are we talking about anyway?

I'm glad to hear you got such a nice guitar. I've always liked the
sound of a 12 string.

Post by Captain Pleased
Anyway, I know where to get all those tubes, pretty cheap. But I just
think I'm gonna shit can it.
I still got a free 12 string out of the deal (it came with the amp..my
brother gave me all this stuff from a friend that recently had died,
so it's a huge honor to have this axe in a beautiful way). It's a
gorgeous hand made Simon and Patrick cedar topped acoustic! Hand
luthiered in Quebec, and very very sweet. I'm in love again. What's
coming out of this 12 string seems to be fairly beautiful and trippy.
I got a chance to get down to basics again here. I've had a lot of
things on my mind lately. The simplicity of this wood is bringing me
back around. For the first time in a long while I slept with my
guitar again in the bed. I just wanted to play it till I fell
asleep. It smells like the inside of a cedar chest in an old attic.
I'm mesmerised by just how the strings vibe on this thing. It's a
complete miracle. I love it so much I don't seem to care about
anything for the last few days. Like a child.

Captain Pleased

2007-02-03 01:25:51 UTC

Post by Robert Reynolds
What kind of amp are we talking about anyway?
I'm glad to hear you got such a nice guitar. I've always liked the
sound of a 12 string.

- Show quoted text -

oh, it's a 1963 Alamo. I put that in another post.

Robert Reynolds

2007-02-03 01:46:56 UTC

Right.... I'll slap my forehead now.

I'm sure that somebody would want the amp. I hope you don't just throw
it away.

Post by Captain Pleased
oh, it's a 1963 Alamo. I put that in another post.

Captain Pleased

2007-02-03 12:50:52 UTC

Post by Robert Reynolds
Right.... I'll slap my forehead now.
I'm sure that somebody would want the amp. I hope you don't just throw
it away.

oh, it's a 1963 Alamo. I put that in another post.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Well by "shit can" I really meant spending any money on it right now,
this minute. I may try to sell it to somebody who can fix it, or have
it fixed later on.., or something. I've come into a huge gear expense
lately. That stuff adds up! We have a debut concert for my new
project, "Dirty Sanchez", coming up on St. Patty's Day, and I was
hoping I could use that amp. Looks like I'm going to have to stick
with solid state a bit longer.

I always wanted a tube amp, but a few weeks back I'd tried this guys
SG on a 100 watt Mesa Boogie tube head. It was hooked to two 4 x 12
Marshall cabs... HOLY LORD GOD. I'm pretty sure that place hasn't
been structurally sound ever since.

SG + MESA BOOGIE TUBES = BRAIN DAMAGE

And couldn't we all use a little brain damage now and then?

I know I do.

Robert Reynolds

2007-02-03 15:22:05 UTC

Post by Robert Reynolds
Right.... I'll slap my forehead now.
I'm sure that somebody would want the amp. I hope you don't just throw
it away.

oh, it's a 1963 Alamo. I put that in another post.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Well by "shit can" I really meant spending any money on it right now,
this minute. I may try to sell it to somebody who can fix it, or have
it fixed later on.., or something. I've come into a huge gear expense
lately. That stuff adds up! We have a debut concert for my new
project, "Dirty Sanchez", coming up on St. Patty's Day, and I was
hoping I could use that amp. Looks like I'm going to have to stick
with solid state a bit longer.
I always wanted a tube amp, but a few weeks back I'd tried this guys
SG on a 100 watt Mesa Boogie tube head. It was hooked to two 4 x 12
Marshall cabs... HOLY LORD GOD. I'm pretty sure that place hasn't
been structurally sound ever since.
SG + MESA BOOGIE TUBES = BRAIN DAMAGE
And couldn't we all use a little brain damage now and then?
I know I do.

All I can say about that is "WOW". I'll bet that was loud! Does the
half of you that plays harmonica hate the half that plays guitar?

Captain Pleased

2007-02-04 00:51:54 UTC

Post by Robert Reynolds
Right.... I'll slap my forehead now.
I'm sure that somebody would want the amp. I hope you don't just throw
it away.

oh, it's a 1963 Alamo. I put that in another post.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Well by "shit can" I really meant spending any money on it right now,
this minute. I may try to sell it to somebody who can fix it, or have
it fixed later on.., or something. I've come into a huge gear expense
lately. That stuff adds up! We have a debut concert for my new
project, "Dirty Sanchez", coming up on St. Patty's Day, and I was
hoping I could use that amp. Looks like I'm going to have to stick
with solid state a bit longer.
I always wanted a tube amp, but a few weeks back I'd tried this guys
SG on a 100 watt Mesa Boogie tube head. It was hooked to two 4 x 12
Marshall cabs... HOLY LORD GOD. I'm pretty sure that place hasn't
been structurally sound ever since.
SG + MESA BOOGIE TUBES = BRAIN DAMAGE
And couldn't we all use a little brain damage now and then?
I know I do.

All I can say about that is "WOW". I'll bet that was loud! Does the
half of you that plays harmonica hate the half that plays guitar?- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

They're all instruments to me. I even make 'em out of junk.

Captain Pleased

2007-02-05 21:52:34 UTC

Post by Robert Reynolds
Right.... I'll slap my forehead now.
I'm sure that somebody would want the amp. I hope you don't just throw
it away.

oh, it's a 1963 Alamo. I put that in another post.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Well by "shit can" I really meant spending any money on it right now,
this minute. I may try to sell it to somebody who can fix it, or have
it fixed later on.., or something. I've come into a huge gear expense
lately. That stuff adds up! We have a debut concert for my new
project, "Dirty Sanchez", coming up on St. Patty's Day, and I was
hoping I could use that amp. Looks like I'm going to have to stick
with solid state a bit longer.
I always wanted a tube amp, but a few weeks back I'd tried this guys
SG on a 100 watt Mesa Boogie tube head. It was hooked to two 4 x 12
Marshall cabs... HOLY LORD GOD. I'm pretty sure that place hasn't
been structurally sound ever since.
SG + MESA BOOGIE TUBES = BRAIN DAMAGE
And couldn't we all use a little brain damage now and then?
I know I do.

All I can say about that is "WOW". I'll bet that was loud! Does the
half of you that plays harmonica hate the half that plays guitar?- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

oh i see, the volume of guitar players drowns you out.

Try a mixing board?

Now, think about it, I'm supposed to "hate" a part of myself cause
it's not "harmonically caballed". Now what do I do, I also play
drums. Do I know hate that portion? Boy. I love harp, but I don't
really want to just think about that. Bit that's just me.

I sometimes I get the notion here that any other kind of artist is not
exactly liked much here. They have to only play harp. Maybe that's
not the real way things are here, but sometimes I do get that sneaky
feeling.

Which is, strange.

RPM1

2007-02-06 00:06:01 UTC

Post by Captain Pleased
I sometimes I get the notion here that any other kind of artist is not
exactly liked much here. They have to only play harp. Maybe that's
not the real way things are here, but sometimes I do get that sneaky
feeling.
Which is, strange.

I dig guitar, (and drums). In fact, I have posted links to my son playing
guitar here before and they were well received.

Here's a link to a video where guitars, drums and harmonica exist in
harmony:

It currently has 6,552 views. I think about 500 of the views are mine. :)

Peace,
Patrick

Robert Reynolds

2007-02-06 00:58:47 UTC

There's no need to get paranoid. It was just a joke. I play sax, and I
can tell you jokes all day about irritating sax players.

T-Bone Bruce

2007-02-06 07:55:21 UTC

There's no need to get paranoid. It was just a joke. I play sax, and I
can tell you jokes all day about irritating sax players.

Well, I've just bought a guitar...

Patrick I love that Youtube clip, especially the bit when Lester goes
to play and finds his delay pedal unplugged.....

Captain Pleased

2007-02-06 20:27:51 UTC

There's no need to get paranoid. It was just a joke. I play sax, and I
can tell you jokes all day about irritating sax players.

heeheehee i'm ok i'm just giving you a hard time. ;)

Michael Smith

2007-02-06 16:56:33 UTC

Oh, I personally love other instruments and artists...if I hear one more
harp solo (especially mine) I'm gonna shit.

Mike

Post by Robert Reynolds
Right.... I'll slap my forehead now.
I'm sure that somebody would want the amp. I hope you don't just throw
it away.

oh, it's a 1963 Alamo. I put that in another post.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Well by "shit can" I really meant spending any money on it right now,
this minute. I may try to sell it to somebody who can fix it, or have
it fixed later on.., or something. I've come into a huge gear expense
lately. That stuff adds up! We have a debut concert for my new
project, "Dirty Sanchez", coming up on St. Patty's Day, and I was
hoping I could use that amp. Looks like I'm going to have to stick
with solid state a bit longer.
I always wanted a tube amp, but a few weeks back I'd tried this guys
SG on a 100 watt Mesa Boogie tube head. It was hooked to two 4 x 12
Marshall cabs... HOLY LORD GOD. I'm pretty sure that place hasn't
been structurally sound ever since.
SG + MESA BOOGIE TUBES = BRAIN DAMAGE
And couldn't we all use a little brain damage now and then?
I know I do.

All I can say about that is "WOW". I'll bet that was loud! Does the
half of you that plays harmonica hate the half that plays guitar?- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

oh i see, the volume of guitar players drowns you out.
Try a mixing board?
Now, think about it, I'm supposed to "hate" a part of myself cause
it's not "harmonically caballed". Now what do I do, I also play
drums. Do I know hate that portion? Boy. I love harp, but I don't
really want to just think about that. Bit that's just me.
I sometimes I get the notion here that any other kind of artist is not
exactly liked much here. They have to only play harp. Maybe that's
not the real way things are here, but sometimes I do get that sneaky
feeling.
Which is, strange.

Michael Smith

2007-02-06 16:53:45 UTC

Dirty Sanchez......funny name. You will get attention! :)

Mike

Post by Robert Reynolds
Right.... I'll slap my forehead now.
I'm sure that somebody would want the amp. I hope you don't just throw
it away.

oh, it's a 1963 Alamo. I put that in another post.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Well by "shit can" I really meant spending any money on it right now,
this minute. I may try to sell it to somebody who can fix it, or have
it fixed later on.., or something. I've come into a huge gear expense
lately. That stuff adds up! We have a debut concert for my new
project, "Dirty Sanchez", coming up on St. Patty's Day, and I was
hoping I could use that amp. Looks like I'm going to have to stick
with solid state a bit longer.
I always wanted a tube amp, but a few weeks back I'd tried this guys
SG on a 100 watt Mesa Boogie tube head. It was hooked to two 4 x 12
Marshall cabs... HOLY LORD GOD. I'm pretty sure that place hasn't
been structurally sound ever since.
SG + MESA BOOGIE TUBES = BRAIN DAMAGE
And couldn't we all use a little brain damage now and then?
I know I do.

Ralf K. Buschner

2007-02-02 15:25:46 UTC