Build Your Own Clone Message Board

My Tweaker 15 is making some whiny noises, so I opened up the back. Correct to assume it's that second power tube that's gone bad? And if so, any suggestions for a particular replacement?

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Scott

My band, Austin Hollow

Are they the same brand tubes? Or are they a mismatched pair? Some brands of tubes have smoked glass, so I wouldn't write it off based on the appearance. Unless it seems to be catching fire...

It's always best to have a set of backup power tubes on hand for any tube amp that you have anyway. So you might as well order a pair (a matched pair). This amp is cathode bias so you don't have to rebias anything.

For replacements, I've had great luck with JJ's and Tung Sols. Lots of people like the cheaper Electro Harmonix or Sovtech ones too.

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MasterDelayer/Reverbrador/Ampaholic/TopJacker

The dark one is original (Egnater branded). The clear one is EHX. Photos I've seen seem to show the original tubes are clear. But good point about backups… except I'm pondering ditching this amp and my HD500 in favor of a Helix. Hmm.

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Scott

My band, Austin Hollow

Do you really want to be a man who doesn't have a backup set of 6V6GT's in his back pocket? That's no man at all IMO.

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MasterDelayer/Reverbrador/Ampaholic/TopJacker

BACK pocket?

Favorite place to buy tubes?

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Scott

My band, Austin Hollow

https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/6v6-jj-electronics-burned

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MasterDelayer/Reverbrador/Ampaholic/TopJacker

Ouch!! Hey, Scott--do you need any ointment for that BURN??


Tough to beat Eurotubes, in my experience. Great service and JJ's are an unbeatable value, IMO.

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“My favorite programming language is SOLDER” - Bob Pease (RIP)

My Website * My Musical Gear * My DIY Pedals: Pg.1 - Pg.2

Ouch! It looks like that black tube is red plating And as the others have said, get a matched pair of your brand of choice. I'd also check the bias since every brand (and even within brands) are different.

...unless the Tweaker 15 is cathode biased, which Egnater says it is. So it's just "plug & play" with the new pair of tubes.

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“My favorite programming language is SOLDER” - Bob Pease (RIP)

My Website * My Musical Gear * My DIY Pedals: Pg.1 - Pg.2

Right-o Bob. Matched tubes are important though, unless you want distortion all the time. True story: I have a Carvin X100-B head famous for ginormous headroom. 100 watts was too loud, so I pulled two tubes. All good. One day I put them back in and I had very *little* headroom. WTH?!? Much headscratching and DMM prodding later it turns out one of the tubes that I put back in was from a different set and completely out :/ found the correct tube and Duhvoodooman's your uncle.

Ditch it.

It's not a real tube amp as I understand the definition.

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Granville Guitars - Guitar & Amplifier Repairs - Custom Effects Pedals - Hand Wound Pickups
http://www.granvilleguitars.com/

Tell us how ya really feel, Scooter!

I know nothing about amp technology, but I do know this: I A/Bed an AC30 against the Tweaker into a 2x12 with comparable speakers, and it absolutely held its own. I am happy with the tone and how it takes my pedals. But it's pretty rare that I can use it at ideal volume, even at 15w. Hence my interest in investing in better modeling tech.

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Scott

My band, Austin Hollow

I have a Tweaker and I am hot & cold on it. Sometimes it's s sound that I dig sometimes it's just flat. It's the one amp in the herd that I would consider selling and not miss. I think.

I will say that I really don't need all the switches and options. It is a little gimmicky.

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Scott

My band, Austin Hollow

Have you ever considered building yourself one of THESE, Scott?

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“My favorite programming language is SOLDER” - Bob Pease (RIP)

My Website * My Musical Gear * My DIY Pedals: Pg.1 - Pg.2

Yes, but I am brought up short by the cost; even though it's reasonable, it's a lot of dough for me.

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Scott

My band, Austin Hollow

I've been using Eurotubes and JJ's for 15 years. I have always experienced great customer service from Eurotubes (and very reasonable prices). I have used JJ's in a wide variety of amps over the years and never been disappointed. Just saying'.

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Cool. I've got a matched set of JJ 6V6S tubes coming from Eurotubes. I'll update this post when I test them out!

Meanwhile, someone mentioned the Boss Katana 50 to me yesterday, and now I have to stop in at Guitar Center later.

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Scott

My band, Austin Hollow

Spend a little more and get the 100. It has the complete set of features and lots more headroom. Either way, that is a nice amp.

Hmm, based on my demo today at GC, I think the 25w setting is where I'd spend 90% of my time—and the 100w version has no option for it. Other than the effects loop, what other features does it add?

(ETA: I see a few other features now, including more presets and a better foot switch option. Hmm.)

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Scott

My band, Austin Hollow

The effects loop is important to me as is the better footswitch. Thant amp is simple enough, but with the four channels available on the floor you've got a whole set's worth of tone there!

I'm so confused...how did we get from a simple tube swap to a digital modeling amp

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Hahahahahahaha great question.

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Scott

My band, Austin Hollow

These things are nearly unavoidable in gear discussions. I once asked about where to get 9V batteries at the best price and ended up with a new Dumble ODS..... (only kidding!!)

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“My favorite programming language is SOLDER” - Bob Pease (RIP)

My Website * My Musical Gear * My DIY Pedals: Pg.1 - Pg.2

The horror.

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Granville Guitars - Guitar & Amplifier Repairs - Custom Effects Pedals - Hand Wound Pickups
http://www.granvilleguitars.com/