bubbaike Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 I own a used BC 30 and am new yo tube amps. It was bought used in great shape about 5 months ago and I'm liking it more and more. My question is how often do you have to replace tubes and is it a hard job to do so? Thanks in advance for any info? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWANG Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 It varys with how hard they are pushed.. run it at high volume they wear out sooner.. but you should get a couple years with normal use.. maybe longer! The only thing you have to watch changing tubes is the pin alignment. there is a circular row of pins. with a gap. you have to line them up. i don't know that amp, so i don't know if it needs rebiasing.. i thought a BC was a blues cube? aren't those solid state. no tubes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zatoichi Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 30w Blues Custom is what he's got, I'm thinking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubbaike Posted December 22, 2009 Author Share Posted December 22, 2009 Sorry I wasn't more specific, I have the Epiphone Blues Custom 30 tube amp. I read on one of these post that it is auto biasing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drdos Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 Hey there Ike--E Poo... haha OK sorry. Well typically their really isn't a typical when it comes to tubes. The power tubes usually wear out due to use before Preamp tubes, but that's just in most cases. If you play pretty regularly a good matched set of 5881's could last a couple years before the sparkle is gone from your tone. Typically you won't notice this happening from one day to the next just over time. Pre amp tubes can last for many years or seconds.... Hope this helps[biggrin] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeRom Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 Hey Ike-e-poo, the BC 30 is a great amp. I have one myself and it's my main gigging amp. It only gets better as it ages. Tubes last a long time generally and if you replace them with the same type (not necessesarily the same mfg.) you won't need to worry about biasing. I always use the 15 watt setting. Never found the need to use the 30 watt cuz it cranks at 15. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubbaike Posted December 22, 2009 Author Share Posted December 22, 2009 Thanks Gunslinger and all for your help!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitslinger1281734018 Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 I own a used BC 30 and am new yo tube amps. It was bought used in great shape about 5 months ago and I'm liking it more and more. My question is how often do you have to replace tubes and is it a hard job to do so? Thanks in advance for any info? The tubes are easy to change, but the back panel has to be removed. The power tubes have a retainer that is spring-loaded and has to be pulled away from the tube and pushed to the side. The preamp tubes have shields on them that are also spring-loaded, and have to be pushed down and rotated to release them. To remove a tube, grip the base between your index finger and thumb, and gently wiggle it slightly while pulling it out of the socket. There is a key on the base of the tube that has to be inserted in a matching slot on the tube socket. Make sure the tubes are seated completely. I recommend Tung-sol 5881 reissue power tubes, a matched pair costs around $42, and Tung-sol 12AX7 preamp tubes--a set of five costs around $75. The BC30 is self-biasing, so you just swap the tubes and you're good to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layboomo Posted December 25, 2009 Share Posted December 25, 2009 "The BC30 is self-biasing" Sorry..... no such thing! What you mean to say is it's a fixed bias amp. It's a cathode biased amp and in either case it's always a good Idea to check the bias voltage when changing tubes. Merry Christmas! This is a good basic overview of biasing http://www.aikenamps.com/WhatIsBiasing.htm The confusion often is due to the fact that a cathode bias is actually a "fixed" value and most fixed bias amps have trim pots for adjusting the bias........it can be rather confusing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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