AnsweredSeriously though....

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bapu
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2017/07/05 20:59:53 (permalink)

Seriously though....

WTF is up with all these new fangled amps with the fully exposed tubes/valves?

#1
tlw
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Re: Seriously though.... 2017/07/05 22:45:35 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby Beepster 2017/07/06 01:15:03
It's for "never mind what it sounds like, just look what I've got" audiophile appeal. I think a certain Japanese manufacturer of hi-fi amps started the exposed valve trend in the 80s or 90s with their unbelievably expensive (as in tens of thousands) gold-wired take on a couple of AC15 power amp circuits fed by an RCA manual pre-amp design. In the 60s you could get kits that built into very similar monoblock or stereo amps for much less money, and they even included a grille cover to protect the components.

Same sort of thing that leads to a certain line of guitar amps putting transparent perspex in the front of its amps, or gamers with a clear PC case full of blue LEDs I suppose.

I've owned/own a few valveamps over the years and I'd want a cover, even just a vented clear one, on that amp. Those valves are going to get very shot. And if a pet or child not only gets burned by one but breaks it and contacts the plates there's several hundred volts in there ready and waiting for paws or fingers.

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#2
Beepster
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Re: Seriously though.... 2017/07/06 01:02:11 (permalink) ☼ Best Answerby bapu 2017/07/06 01:03:37
Pro Tip: If you ever encounter a mindless "form over function" type hipster who thinks exposed valves are a good idea authoratatively suggest to them that you've heard that whatever silly contraption they own is actually REALLY good.
 
So good in fact that if they touch their tongue to the glowing tubes while they are working their magic you can even TASTE the sound quality.
 
Of course this will work better and garner higher lulz value if you share a rather large marihuana joint and/or some peyote buttons with the subject of your little prank.
 
it's the only way they'll learn... so it's not cruel.
 
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#3
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Re: Seriously though.... 2017/07/06 01:14:25 (permalink)
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drewfx1
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Re: Seriously though.... 2017/07/06 02:27:47 (permalink)
They need to be exposed so you can easily change between different tubes.
 
Buying the amp is just the beginning.

 In order, then, to discover the limit of deepest tones, it is necessary not only to produce very violent agitations in the air but to give these the form of simple pendular vibrations. - Hermann von Helmholtz, predicting the role of the electric bassist in 1877.
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Re: Seriously though.... 2017/07/06 02:41:59 (permalink)
drewfx1
They need to be exposed so you can easily change between different tubes.



 
 
???
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Re: Seriously though.... 2017/07/06 03:53:49 (permalink)
Beepster
drewfx1
They need to be exposed so you can easily change between different tubes.



 
 
???




Good luck changing those bits with your oven mitts on (I can't say I'd recommend rolling tubes with your bare hands). 

 In order, then, to discover the limit of deepest tones, it is necessary not only to produce very violent agitations in the air but to give these the form of simple pendular vibrations. - Hermann von Helmholtz, predicting the role of the electric bassist in 1877.
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Beepster
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Re: Seriously though.... 2017/07/06 04:15:48 (permalink)
drewfx1
(I can't say I'd recommend rolling tubes with your bare hands). 




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Mesh
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Re: Seriously though.... 2017/07/06 12:25:01 (permalink)
Speaking of changing tubes......I have an old Mesa Boogie amp (Blue Angel) that I'd like to replace all the tubes. How easy or hard is it to replace them myself? (since there isn't a Mesa dealer in my area).
 
There's an old country rocker who has done some work on my guitar and said he can replace the tubes, but he's not a "certified" Mesa dealer.
 
To be honest, I haven't looked into a DIY or done any research on this, just curious as to how complicated it is.     
 

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Glyn Barnes
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Re: Seriously though.... 2017/07/06 13:34:38 (permalink)
As a kid I remember my father changing valves on TV sets that had "gone on the blink". This seemed to be a bit of a trial and error process but he was quite successful. He had a drawer of used valves.

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Re: Seriously though.... 2017/07/06 14:25:31 (permalink)
That must be why I can't sell my 150W Line 6 Spider.  It's a great amp, but has no tubes (visible or not).
Consignment stores won't even let it in the door!
 
Maybe I should glue some wires and tubes on top...

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Re: Seriously though.... 2017/07/06 15:15:36 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby Mesh 2017/07/06 15:17:47
Mesh
Speaking of changing tubes......I have an old Mesa Boogie amp (Blue Angel) that I'd like to replace all the tubes. How easy or hard is it to replace them myself? (since there isn't a Mesa dealer in my area).
 
There's an old country rocker who has done some work on my guitar and said he can replace the tubes, but he's not a "certified" Mesa dealer.
 
To be honest, I haven't looked into a DIY or done any research on this, just curious as to how complicated it is.     
 




The only catch is having to bias the amp after putting new ones in.  That said, I seem to recall that Mesa's self-bias themselves so, if that's the case (and you need to verify this), then replacing the tubes is about as dead easy as it sounds.  Pull out the old, put in the new!

 
Time for all of you to head over to Beyond My DAW!
#12
Mesh
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Re: Seriously though.... 2017/07/06 15:23:27 (permalink)
craigb
Mesh
Speaking of changing tubes......I have an old Mesa Boogie amp (Blue Angel) that I'd like to replace all the tubes. How easy or hard is it to replace them myself? (since there isn't a Mesa dealer in my area).
 
There's an old country rocker who has done some work on my guitar and said he can replace the tubes, but he's not a "certified" Mesa dealer.
 
To be honest, I haven't looked into a DIY or done any research on this, just curious as to how complicated it is.     
 




The only catch is having to bias the amp after putting new ones in.  That said, I seem to recall that Mesa's self-bias themselves so, if that's the case (and you need to verify this), then replacing the tubes is about as dead easy as it sounds.  Pull out the old, put in the new!


Thanks Craig, I'll definitely look into doing this. Just a quick Google on "bias the amp" shows I don't need to (at least per this site):
 http://www.eurotubes.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=490&idcategory=158

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#13
bapu
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Re: Seriously though.... 2017/07/06 16:35:54 (permalink)
I wonder if my IK Multimedia Mesa sim is self-biasing?
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Re: Seriously though.... 2017/07/06 16:55:38 (permalink)
bapu
I wonder if my IK Multimedia Mesa sim is self-biasing?


My Bias Fx pro is definitely biased.

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Re: Seriously though.... 2017/07/06 20:47:25 (permalink)
I remember when these were fairly commonly found at hardware stores and such:
 


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#16
bapu
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Re: Seriously though.... 2017/07/06 20:48:31 (permalink)
KenB123
I remember when these were fairly commonly found at hardware stores and such:
 



Been there done that too.
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bayoubill
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Re: Seriously though.... 2017/07/06 20:51:25 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby bapu 2017/07/06 20:54:34
 
 
     Seriously

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Re: Seriously though.... 2017/07/06 21:03:43 (permalink)
Slugbaby
That must be why I can't sell my 150W Line 6 Spider.  It's a great amp, but has no tubes (visible or not).
Consignment stores won't even let it in the door!
 
Maybe I should glue some wires and tubes on top...


I'm with you those old line 6s they sound decent and they're inexpensive

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Re: Seriously though.... 2017/07/06 21:03:48 (permalink)


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#20
bapu
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Re: Seriously though.... 2017/07/06 21:05:20 (permalink)
bayoubill



Is that Pistol Pete leading the band with the most intricate piece he's ever written?
 
Or am it an Am note?
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bapu
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Re: Seriously though.... 2017/07/06 21:06:02 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby Mesh 2017/07/07 12:37:19
Such a bummer. I cannae give myself a BAT.
 
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bayoubill
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Re: Seriously though.... 2017/07/06 21:07:53 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby bapu 2017/07/06 21:08:42
Am is all to be all
 
A police car pulls up in front of grandma's house and grandpa gets out.The polite policeman explains to grandma that the poor gentleman was lost in the park and couldn't find his way home.
'Oh dear,' says grandma. 'You've been going to that park for over thirty years.How could you get lost?' 
Leaning close to grandma,so that the policeman can't hear, grandpa whispers.... 
''I wasn't lost. I was just too tired to walk home."

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#23
bayoubill
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Re: Seriously though.... 2017/07/06 21:11:05 (permalink)
 
 
    Seriously!

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#24
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Re: Seriously though.... 2017/07/07 02:14:05 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby bapu 2017/07/07 13:38:22
bapu
bayoubill



Is that Pistol Pete leading the band with the most intricate piece he's ever written?
 
Or am it an Am note?




He's one note better than John Cage! 

 
Time for all of you to head over to Beyond My DAW!
#25
Mesh
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Re: Seriously though.... 2017/07/07 12:39:13 (permalink)
bayoubill
 
 
    Seriously!


She took the crosswalk puzzle seriously?

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KenB123
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Re: Seriously though.... 2017/07/07 13:54:08 (permalink)
bayoubill



Sorry. Off-topic following. I couldn't help myself. My favorite Far Side:
" />

Broken pencils are pointless.

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craigb
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Re: Seriously though.... 2017/07/07 15:35:42 (permalink)
That's definitely a favorite of mine too!  There's a few that are just soooo good I have to use them when possible. 

 
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sharke
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Re: Seriously though.... 2017/07/08 04:37:24 (permalink)
Kind of reminds me of people who seem to wear their skull on the outside of their heads, like Bez from The Happy Mondays. 
 


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