RSDx Posted February 22, 2009 Posted February 22, 2009 OK, got my used EVJ combo a few days ago - am lovin' it to death (god, I forgot how "organic" a tube amp sounds/feels) - makes my Epi LP seem like MUCH more of a guitar than the ss amp does.....control knobs seem to have more effect (whether real or imagined...heh).....BUT, I have an annoying "rattle" at moderate + volume levels, and I've isolated it to the springs/clip/retainer (whatever ya wanna call it) on the one tube. Just how necessary IS this pita ???? I had an old Ampeg tube amp for MANY years, with no clips/retaining devices at all, and never had a tube come loose or fall out. So what's Epi's deal with these ??? Can I just remove it and not worry ? 'Cause the "rattle," while not loud, IS annoying, since it's a seemingly easy fix. Same question applies to the retaining "sleeve" on the other tube, although as far as I can tell, that's not rattling or anything. Are these necessary for normal use, or were they put in there to keep the tubes in place on the long shipping/handling trip from China ??? Just wonderin'... Surely someone else has removed one or both... Thanks, folks
m-theory Posted February 22, 2009 Posted February 22, 2009 It's only there to hold the EL84 in place (I'm assuming that it's not the tube shield that's on the 12ax7 that you're referring to here, since that's generally VERY securely buttoned down). Toss it if you want. You could also see if you can figure out why it's rattling, and invent a way to keep it from doing so, but it's really not necessary for it to be there, until the socket holes get so reamed out that they won't hold a tube in place on their own, in which case, it should be replaced anyway. Btw, it's not just this amp that has that stupid hold-down. Pretty much every amp built that runs that tube, has that flimsy thing, or something much like it.
RSDx Posted February 22, 2009 Author Posted February 22, 2009 Btw' date=' it's not just this amp that has that stupid hold-down. Pretty much every amp built that runs that tube, has that flimsy thing, or something much like it. [/quote'] Thanks, m-theory ..... like I said, my old Ampeg (late '60's build) just had tubes in sockets with no retention system other than the pin/socket interface/friction, so this kind of threw me....and yeah, I'm referring to the EL84 retainer, I guess, as that's just a "plate" of sorts on top of the tube held down by 2 springs. I'll remove it and fuhgettabout !!! The other sits deeper in the chassis and has a solid tight metal sleeve around it (no rattlin' there...). Thanks again, as that's my only real complaint with this little amp.
m-theory Posted February 22, 2009 Posted February 22, 2009 It's possible that the Ampeg that you had was equipped with the retainers, but somebody removed them at some point. Very few amps that I'm aware of didn't have some some sort of retainer for the output tubes. You really don't want those coming loose, because fireworks can result. Whether you actually "need" them or not, from a manufacturer's point of view, it's just one glaring point of failure that's easily eliminated by using the retainers. A bit of jarring around is all it would take to knock one or more tubes slightly out of their sockets, enough to create a potential for sparks.
RSDx Posted February 22, 2009 Author Posted February 22, 2009 Crap ..... go figure - I removed the spring retainer device, amp still does it. It stopped when I gently pressed on it before, seems now like the chassis (for lack of better word) is resonating, but gently pushing on the tube/retainer was enough to mute it. Guess I'm a gonna have to slide it out one of these days and take a peek to see what might be a rattlin' up in there. And, yeah, am well aware of the possible dangers inherent in these projects..... the rattle is minor in the scheme of things, and it's a dirty amp anyways, so.... what's a lil rattle, right ??
TWANG Posted February 22, 2009 Posted February 22, 2009 why don't you just shorten the springs? TWANG
RSDx Posted February 22, 2009 Author Posted February 22, 2009 why don't you just shorten the springs? TWANG I don't think that would help - seems as if it's the metal housing or something in the housing vibrating, but was minor enough to be muted when I gently pressed on the springs/retainer/tube. Took it off (retainer), still does it. Gonna have to tear into it, some day, one day .......am having too much fun with it to tear it apart, at the moment. This is one fun ballsy lil amp, for sure
Robo Posted February 22, 2009 Posted February 22, 2009 It's only there to hold the EL84 in place (I'm assuming that it's not the tube shield that's on the 12ax7 that you're referring to here' date=' since that's generally VERY securely buttoned down). Toss it if you want. You could also see if you can figure out why it's rattling, and invent a way to keep it from doing so, but it's really not necessary for it to be there, until the socket holes get so reamed out that they won't hold a tube in place on their own, in which case, it should be replaced anyway. [/quote'] Whenever I had sockets eventually get a little loose,I would just take an eyeglass screwdriver or big pin or similar, and just bend the pin sockets back in a little.
Steven Lister Posted February 22, 2009 Posted February 22, 2009 EPI if you're listening, why don't you cut costs right here..., flip the chassis over so the heat transfers out more effeciently and let groovy gravity hold the valves in place? Pass the savings right back to us on however many less yuan are spent on retainers, springs and valve cans. Yeah. Hit every BLUE NOTE baaaby..., I'm going to play on:-"
cGil Posted February 22, 2009 Posted February 22, 2009 Whatcha bet it's probably just those darn cage nuts for the chassis screws rattling around. :- Gil...
mrjones200x Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 Mines started rattling with the bass a little vibrating tinny noise that stops after the big bassy parts. Gonna check it out soon. Would of thought it was the retaining springs and clasp on the preamp tube as its pants on mine. (i noticed before it moves easily)
layboomo Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 Whatcha bet it's probably just those darn cage nuts for the chassis screws rattling around. Gil... Yup that's my call too Gil!
RSDx Posted February 23, 2009 Author Posted February 23, 2009 Whatcha bet it's probably just those darn cage nuts for the chassis screws rattling around. :- Gil... Am gonna guess you're probably right - easily fixable, I hope ? I just have to find the time.......
RSDx Posted February 23, 2009 Author Posted February 23, 2009 Could be tube filament rattle. Hmmmmmmm ....could be as well, I guess ..... was planning on replacing tubes anyways - dunno how long these have been in there - could be originals, for all I know, since I picked it up used and cheap....
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