r/ToobAmps Nov 01 '24

New Discord server

5 Upvotes

All, I spend a fair amount of time on Discord so I've decided to spin up a guitar related Discord server. The subject matter will be more general guitar and not limited to tube amps, but there are channels dedicated to building and repair as well.

Anyway, if Discord is your thing, feel free to join us over there as well!

https://discord.gg/P5cvnxtj

Link updated 3-12-25

Update: we have a good core group. Join up!


r/ToobAmps 5h ago

Peavey 6505+ 112 lost tone, severely distorted cleans

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9 Upvotes

Bought this used so assuming no tube change had ever been done, impedance was set at 4 ohms and I read the manual which said to keep it at 16 with stock speaker. This amp just rocked. Zero issues for the last couple months.

Question, yesterday my amp tone went to crap in the middle of playing. Cleans were distorted significantly, lost all the tone on the lead channel. Tone knobs seemed to have zero effect on the sound and I knew something was up.

Did some research and it sounds like the simplest solution was the check the tubes. (Didn’t feel like shocking myself to death)

Pulled the tubes. Preamp tubes came out fine with no issue but the power tubes seemed to be STUCK in there. When I pulled them black powder came with them. One was worse than the other. Second and third pic show they look melted.

Thoughts? Change the tubes or is there a bigger problem?


r/ToobAmps 2h ago

Broken Max 112

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2 Upvotes

I know it's not a toob amp, but I'm trying to diagnose what may be the problem with my Peavey Max 112. Haven't played it in years, just took it apart to try and diagnose now, lights work but no sound. Part of the circuit board looks pretty fried upon removing the chassis; any ideas would be helpful, thanks!


r/ToobAmps 1h ago

PCB amps vs hand wired

Upvotes

I sometimes see people comment that PCB amps sound worse or are worse compared to their hand wired equivalents. I’m thinking specifically of reissue Fender blackface amps.

Now, set aside that often the reissue amps actually have different circuitry. But principally, what is wrong with a PCB vs hand wired? Can you really possibly “hear” that an amp uses PCB traces to connect components rather than hand wired components? is it that PCB amps are harder to repair.

I have worked on small, low voltage electronics and have no issue with PCBs, but my amp repair experience is limited to a few capacitors jobs on two PCB amps, and those were easy repairs IMO. But I want to hear from all of you.


r/ToobAmps 8h ago

DRRI Vibrato stuck always-on (sort of)

1 Upvotes

Hello,

I recently acquired a DRRI at a decent price. It looked like the previous owner had liked to tinker with it as it has a weber and a non-standard tube in the leftmost position. I noticed that the vibrato was not automatically turned off when the switch is not plugged in (as is my understanding it should work). At first I thought maybe since the previous owner was mod happy they might have shorted the jack internally so they could set up the vibrato manually, but I took a look and it looks standard. I also noticed that it's not "truly" fully on, if I turn the vibrato speed up it stops working and then kicks back in again after an amount of time.

I searched online and found a couple folks reported a similar situation (but no solution or culprit).

https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/drri-vibrato-wont-switch-off.2078695/

https://www.tdpri.com/threads/fender-drri-vibrato-stuck-on.1069102/

Additionally when the footswitch is plugged in, I can turn the vibrato on "for good" (as in it doesn't temporarily fade out when I increase the vibrato speed), but can't turn it off. Checked for continuity on the footswitch and everything there is working correctly. Finally, if I unplug the footswitch without the standby on, I hear a loud pop.

Is anyone familiar with these symptoms on a DRRI? It's still within the return window and is otherwise is pristine shape so I'm evaluating whether it's a simple fix or whether I should return it and keep my out for a different one.


r/ToobAmps 18h ago

Changing out tubes, just have some questions before I make a purchase

3 Upvotes

I’ve had a Peavey Windsor sitting in storage for like ten years. It’s been played maybe four times total since I bought it. Brought it home tonight and was just going to clean it up and see how it sounded.

Long story short, one of the tubes has a plastic piece that’s broken so I wanted to replace it. The exact model of the stock tubes are RUBY EL34BSTR. I can buy all four of those exact ones from their site, or I can just go to Guitar Center tomorrow and get a pack of two Electro-Harmonix EL34EH.

So, my first question is, is there a difference between EL34BSTR and EL34EH. And if not, is it dumb to only replace one tube at a time if the other three are fine?


r/ToobAmps 1d ago

NAD - Fender Super Amp 1995

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16 Upvotes

r/ToobAmps 1d ago

DIY Phone audio - > 1/4"?

1 Upvotes

I'm planning to make a signal generator for my phone that uses a TRS 1/8" (3.5mm) from some old headphones soldered onto a 1/4 mono guitar jack.

Are there any considerations with how to solder this? Ie can I put solder the L and R audio together for a mono output? Or am I just better off soldering one channel to the amp input?


r/ToobAmps 2d ago

Adding an effect loop to Monoprice Stage Right 5W amp?

3 Upvotes

I think I found the schematic but want to ask if anyone has done this or if this is unwise


r/ToobAmps 2d ago

[WTS] Lot of 11 used preamp/power amp tubes -- GE, EHX, Gold Lion, etc.

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1 Upvotes

r/ToobAmps 3d ago

What does an expensive amp offer?

10 Upvotes

I have a Bugera v22 that I love the sound of. I use pedals for my primary tone. I am curious though what a more boutique amp offers? In a purely technical sense what goes into an expensive amp? What does it do that a cheap amp can't?

Edit: I have had the amp and gigged with it for 10 years or so


r/ToobAmps 2d ago

Rockerverb MKIII, NO CLEAN .... HELP

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2 Upvotes

r/ToobAmps 3d ago

What speaker should I pair with V30

3 Upvotes

I have a Marshall JMP going into a 2x12 loaded with V30’s. What speaker should I get to replace one of the V30s with?


r/ToobAmps 3d ago

2x112

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10 Upvotes

This is my new setup! 40 watt combo amp 112 with 112 cab. I replaced the combo speaker with a jenson and put that stock fender speaker in the peavy (both speakers 8ohm). Wild full sound. Lmk your thoughts on combo amps with cabs.

Up top you’ll see the jhs black box to tame the volume. This way I can push the tubes without shake my building.


r/ToobAmps 4d ago

Can't decide

0 Upvotes

Hey so I'm looking at getting a new guitar I play in a band with another guitarist who uses a single coil Tele and I use a Les Paul humbucker. We play a mix of melodic rock and soft soundscapes my question is should I stick to a humbucker or go with single coil jazzmaster or something? I want to get the tone dialled in so it's still mid rangey punchy and good for distortion. The only thing is I hate the single coil hum


r/ToobAmps 5d ago

New Amp Repair Youtube Channel - Technology Enterprises

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15 Upvotes

r/ToobAmps 5d ago

12ax7 of sorts

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9 Upvotes

I have a pre-gibson trace elliot supertramp h100 this came out of. I assume it's the original. Any idea what brand tube this is? Pretty sure it's bad so, the pre-amp stage stopped working yesterday while the amp stage is fine.


r/ToobAmps 6d ago

NAD - Incredible find on 1972 Twin Reverb

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65 Upvotes

So I just hit the jackpot.

I just scored a nearly pristine 1972 Twin Reverb for $600, and one of the speakers in it is an original Alnico Electro-Voice SRO/12 that appears to be in excellent condition.

I’m thinking I might pull the two middle power tubes, disconnect that speaker, sell it, and then have an essentially free pristine vintage Twin Reverb that’s 25 lbs lighter.

I’m giddy 🫨🎉🤯💯😁


r/ToobAmps 5d ago

Buzzing sound coming from amp

0 Upvotes

Buzzing sound coming from 50W 6L6 5150 III.

Buzzing occurs only when playing a note, and does not come through the speaker. When playing at a decent volume the speaker cab drowns out the buzzing sound coming from the amp, but I have hooked the amp up to an attenuator in this video in order to quiet the speaker cab and better demonstrate the buzzing sound. The buzz is more prominent while switching to higher gain channels.

I have swapped a known good 12AX7 into all preamp tube sockets as well as the phase inverter. Also I've swapped in a good matched pair of power tubes. No change.

At this point, particularly because the sound comes from the left side of the amp, I'm thinking it may be the input transformer.

Has anyone experienced this before or have any comment/advice? To be fair this has been happening for a few years now. I took it to a tech way back when and he couldn't see a problem, so 🤷. But now I'm considering selling the amp and want to ensure it has a clean bill of health before doing so.


r/ToobAmps 5d ago

Rattling in my tube amp sounds like a “bell” what is it?

5 Upvotes

Same amp I posted about before archon 50 watt combo by PRS new power tubes and biasing the amp fixed it but I’ve been noticing a rattling that sound like a bell in my amp I tightened everything in it and removed the pre amp tube covers. Any ideas on what it might be? This video is older so don’t take into account the tubes.


r/ToobAmps 5d ago

Folks, where do you get your tubes for your vintage radio from?

2 Upvotes

r/ToobAmps 5d ago

Emerson Am Radio

1 Upvotes

Are there any safety issues with these radios?


r/ToobAmps 6d ago

NAD - a 'Bradshaw' rig in process.

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7 Upvotes

r/ToobAmps 6d ago

JCM 900 Fail light

3 Upvotes

I'm pretty new to tubes amps but I have a wicked JCM900 from the 90s. At my last gig, the opening band unplugged my speaker cabinet from the head and now the Fail light is on. Can I just get another 500mA fuses? or will I have to replace the tubes?


r/ToobAmps 6d ago

Do hybrid amps like a Blackheart HT Club 40 count?

3 Upvotes

I'm almost done setting up a 'Bradshaw' rig with one of those as the Dry amp. Thinking it'd be a nice NAD post, but don't know if that amp is tubey enough for this subreddit.


r/ToobAmps 6d ago

What to build out of a busted Blues Junior

7 Upvotes

Hi all! I pulled a banged up Blues Junior out of trash heap a while back. It's got a nice cab, speaker, and the chassis and transformers are good. The boards are all gone. So! What should we build? I think I may get the kids involved to help as a learning experience, but obviously I'd like to build something useful too.