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From: TubeDepotTV
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  • I love how enthusiastic Rob is about electronics. He has really taught me alot :)

  • Hi There, I have an ENGL Savage and even with the standby off, there's still a static/buzzing noise coming through the speakers.  When I turn the power off, the speakers can make a popping noise. Also, with the amp on, the 6550 power amp tube starts to glow a little blue. Any suggestions? I think the 6550 needs replacing but could it be other issues say, grounding? An advice is appreciated.

  • @5150VanAlien - blue glow isn't necessarily an indication of a bad tube. Do a search for "blue glow in vacuum tubes" and read about FLUORESCENCE. In regards to your amp, it sounds as though the amp needs servicing. Locate an experienced tube amp technician for assistance.

  • @TubeDepotTV Thanks. However, regarding my amp making the static noise, do you have any idea(s) what it could be?

  • @5150VanAlien - the only user serviceable parts are the tubes. You can try changing the tubes ... power and preamp ... to see if the noise goes away. If it doesn't, then you know it is the amp and I recommend taking it to a qualified technician.

  • Well done. I work with radio broadcast tubes that have a plate dissipation of 20,000 watts (class B). They wouldn't work at audio frequencies, but can you imagine if they could? Wow!

  • She's a witch, Lisa.

    

  • @Phrennie which witch ... the twitch switch witch?

  • he killed a virgin....

  • @hytlerson - These were tubes that previously failed testing. I didn't mind cutting them up. And it doesn't show in the video, but I must have gone through 10 or more tubes trying to cut the glass just right.

  • very cool video...ingenius design behind tubes

  • @stratdude83 - I'm still amazed that electrons flow in a vacuum.

  • I need me a tube bass head

  • @TheWizardofGore - Oh yea ... loud and heavy ...

  • thank you so much...this is the first vid that explains tubes that actually makes since

  • @haveyouseenhim89 - glad we could assist.

  • "Expecially!"

  • @madamerotten - eggs-actly. My colloquial pronunciations can be a bit a bit surprising if one isn't used to them. Thankfully the information transfers well.

  • @TubeDepotTV yeah it wuz a grate video!

  • The screen grid runs very hot, because it is absorbing some of the cathode current. It is coated with graphite, both to help cool it by improving infrared radiation, and to keep it from emitting secondary electrons (graphite is very good at this). This has nothing to do with "improving the tone".

    The control grid is plated with gold, also to help prevent secondary emission. Gold gives a smoother surface than graphite, so it's better suited to the control grid.

  • @metasonix - Because of this element plating, the overall performance of this tube has better reliability and efficiency as compared if the elements were non-plated. I used the phrase "improving tone" as a very simplistic, unscientific explanation for the average viewer to relate with. For a more in depth engineering explanation, I recommend the great wealth of information that Eric Barbour of Metasonix has published.

  • hey quick question, I often here people say not to touch a tube with your fingers when you're replacing it, but instead to use a towel or something. However, in a lot of your videos I see you handle the tubes with your hand. Is there any validity to not touching tubes, or no?

  • @newclearwaste - touching the glass of a tube doesn't cause any troubles. The contamination from our fingers is very unlikely to cause the glass to fail. This is not true with high intensity light bulbs since any contamination on the glass that the light has to go through will absorb the light and develop a hot spot very quickly, thus failing. Tubes do not emit any radiation through the glass ... at least they aren't supposed to.

  • What is the function of the Screening Grid? This you seem to have glossed over. Anexplanation would help.

  • @Sixalienasa - The screen grid attracts and accelerates the electrons that have "boiled" off of the cathode toward the plate. It sits at a high positive potential, usually just below the potential level of the plate.

  • @TubeDepotTV Thank you, it makes it a little easier to comprehend. I am still a little vague as to how exactly the Triode actually " Amplifies " the input signal, Is it getting a kick from the extra Grid Voltage?

  • @Sixalienasa - The "amplification" from a tube is the result of a small voltage change (or signal) on the control grid causing a much larger change in current flowing through the tube. It is like the spigot of a water faucet. A small turn of the spigot can cause a large change in water flowing from the faucet. The water from the faucet is doing the actual "work" where as our hand (turning the spigot) is merely the control.

  • @Sixalienasa: The screen is included to break up the reverse transfer capacitance between the control grid and plate, as it sits at AC ground. This reduces the Cmiller contribution to input capacitance to improve high frequency performance, and also to break up a feedback path that triodes have that can cause oscillation. For triodes, you need external neutralization to stop that. With screen grid tubes, you can frequently avoid neutralization.

  • amazing video!

  • thanks! this will help me with my project

  • @dumapies - glad we can help. What project are you working on?

  • @TubeDepotTV

    school project actually, on vacuum tubes 

  • @dumapies - excellent. I'm sure you will find many great videos on tube construction.

  • Good stuff!

  • @emppudst - glad we could help.

  • Great video! Thanks for sharing!

    (and Boogie on!)

  • @SonicProvocateur - boogie on 'bro ... and thanks for the cool comment.

  • LIONEL?

  • @JohnVour - as in the toy train?

  • why are we so gay for tubes?

  • @maciverandy - gay as in happy?

  • you guys are cool

  • oh well if what you are saying is true about the last number in a tube than a 5AR4 would be considered a 5AR5 a diode is 2 a triode is 3 a tetrode is 4 a pentode is 5 a heptode is 6 and so on a 5AR4 is 2 diodes making it 4 if they were counting the filiment they would call it a 5AR5 not a 5AR4

  • @metalmanin - the 5AR4 is an indirectly heated dual diode rectifier used in full wave power rectifier applications. It utilizes a 5V filament. It has the following elements: 1. filament (heater); 2. cathode; 3. 1st plate 4. 2nd plate. The 5Y3 is a directly heated dual diode rectifier. It utilizes a 5V filament. It has the following elements: 1. filament (heater) and cathodeb together; 2. 1st plate 3. 2nd plate. So far, the numbering system is working.

  • @metalmanin -

    ... you don't need to see his specification sheet ...

    ... these aren't the tubes you are looking for ...

    ... he can go about his business ...

    ... move along ...

  • actually your anode is what they call a a suppressor grid and your outter plate is actully your collector another words your cathode emits electrons to your the collector and your collector is the outer plate of a tube your anodes are your control grid suppressor grid and your screen grid and that inner plate is actually your suppressor grid thats how a beam power tube such as a 6L6 or 6JS6 or what ever like tube works.

  • @metalmanin - 6L6 power tetrode elements - 1. filament (heater); 2. cathode; 3. control grid; 4. screen grid; 5. beam forming plates; 6. plate (anode). EL34 power pentode elements - 1. filament (heater); 2. cathode; 3. control grid; 4. screen grid; 5. suppressor grid; 6. plate (anode). At least, this is how the tube specification sheets (in all languages) have been listing the elements of these tubes since the 1930's and 1940's.

  • @TubeDepotTV @metalmanin nope a 6L6 is a beam power pentode and an EL34 and 6L6 are inter changable with each other

  • @TubeDepotTV oh fuck i was wrong duhh the cathode is the emitts electrons to the anode and the anode is the plate and the base is your control grid thats your switching my bad im sorry bout that dude.

  • Don't recall the model. Bought it from a guy who lost his ass in a poker game. Played the crap out of it for years. I bought a Line 6 spyder 3 awhile back. It's really not too bad but, it's just not scary good like a tuber. Got some software to clean up the old LPs that I'm putting on CD. Then I'll check for subliminal back masking before I stash em away. All this time the old turntable reclaims it's share of daylight.

  • @coal4life - I owned a couple of Line6 spyders ... great amp for playing in the bedroom. But on stage, it will not stand out. I think that most amps that include a headphone jack probably weren't designed for live gigging.

  • Way cool. Thanks for explaning what each part is and what it does. Gave my 100 watt Mesa from the early 80's to my metalhead son. After I replaced the tubes and went over everything it sounded much better than when new. Wished I'd let him have a different unit.

    After destroying vacume tubes back in the 60's and picking through the parts I have a whole new perspective. I think I'll get that old turntable out and................

  • @coal4life - ... get the turntable out to do some old skool scratching? Well ... maybe not exactly. I'm sure your son greatly appreciates the amp. Especially since all his friends are probably playing Line6 amps. Is that a Mark III Mesa?

  • Thank you , enjoyed the detailed journey.....amazing

  • @tpmbe - glad that we could provide some interesting insight.

  • very interesting, I never though they where built so complicated and advanced, thanks for sharing

  • @satjathamma - Tubes are amazing. The small miniature and micro miniature tubes have these same elements but with even tighter tolerances. Glad we are able to share this fun video with you.

  • my amp needs re tubing and i need to know how tubes are graded i have seen options for soft medium and hard on EHX tubes and low medium and high on groove tubes. I want the least break up out of my tubes which option would give me less break up

  • @j1nt3tsu - the quality of dynamics is foremost determined by tube manufacturer. The SED tubes will have the strongest dynamics / least saturation. The Reflektor factory tube (SOVTEK, EH, Tung-Sol, Mullard) tubes will have slightly less dynamics / more distortion. The JJ tubes will be the softest with the Chinese tubes somewhere in between. From this point, the bias setting of the tube (how hot or how cold) will fine tune the final dynamic response. Contact me at TubeDepot for more info.

  • Awesome video and excellent explanation. Thanks for showing

  • @RODALCO2007 - I am glad we could help. And if there is anything tube related that I can answer for you, just let me know.

  • @TubeDepotTV Thank you

  • Thank You so much for the video!! It has always been a dream of mine to have a magnified look inside a tube...it is fascinating! Excellent way of explaining how it works,great detail of video. THANK YOU!!!

  • @OLTCITKA - thank you for your kind words. It is our joy that you were able to get useful information from the video. If there is more electronic videos you would like to see, just let us know.

  • My SEDs have gold in them? I never knew that. : )

  • @zbaby82 - the control grid is gold plated so that the various contaminants that float around in the tube (there are always some) will not corrode the control grid. A clean control grid is more efficient for a longer period of time.

  • Hey guys! Thanks for the cool, and informative video...and you guys playing was top notch! I just ordered some preamp tubes from you a couple of days ago. I own a Mesa Mark 5, and Brian was extremely helpful in asissting me with my choice. He did recommend a JJ/Tesla (as he said he uses in his Mark IV) Does anyone here know if the stock Mesa tubes are just relabeled JJ's? If so, I find em to be abit "dark" in my amp. Thanks!

  • Mesa-Boogie has been recently installing the JJ/Tesla preamp tube in their amps. It is a dark sounding tube but very well suited for a overly bright amp. I encourage using different 12AX7 tubes in the front end of the amp to see what works and what doesn't.

  • Thanks!...and that's exactly what I've been doing, and which is why I just ordered afew from you guys! Brian told me that he really likes the JJ's in his Mesa IV (and his tone here is certainly killer!)...I find them abit "dull", or dark in my Mark 5 though. I will post my opinions on the few that I just got today, soon...thanks again!

  • actually brian sounds so good becuase he plays a boogie

  • Brian is great sounding no matter what he plays. He can make a cake pan sound great! It's all in his fingers ... I think I need to practice more. Thanks for the cool comment though.

  • Awesome video! I'm a big fan of the 6L6's big brother, the 6550. I imagine that construction-wise they are almost identical so very cool to see this!

    Big respect to the Tube Depot guys. On their recommendations I ordered a NOS JAN-Philips 5751, Tung-Sol 12AX7, and SED KT88 complement for my original design guitar amp. Couldn't be happier with the results! Check it out on my channel.

    Fast delivery and top-notch service from these guys. Thanks!

  • I am a fan of the 6550 as well. I'm glad your tube selection is sounding good and as always, thanks for the great comment.

  • @Cwildenradt absolutely. tubedepot is a super outfit

  • Oh my what a great video! And I don't mean just the guitar-playing, although that was awesome, too. Keep tube technology alive!

  • Glad you liked the video. Anything to keep the tube alive, we aim to please.

  • awesome video !! But please TubeDepot..... don't stick those ugly stickers on those lovely tubes !

  • The stickers come off very easily with just a little dab of ligher fluid or naptha or "goof off". It's a good idea to save the numbers from the stickers so when reordering the tubes, you can get the same bias. In that way you won't have to rebias your amp for the replacement tubes.

  • what would you say would be the best single rectifier to use for powering a pair of 6550's/kt88's?

    thanks.

  • Two 6550 / KT88 tubes could theoretically be designed to run 100W which is quite a load for a single rectifier to power. For 65W or more, It would be safer to wire two 5U4 or two GZ34 tubes in parallel to get the adequate current requirements. If you still want to use only one rectifier, I would recommend a NOS GZ37 or NOS 5V3 tubes as a possible single rectifier for up to 80W - 90W.

  • oh and btw nice jammin in the end lol seems like you two know little more than just the tubes but can also play!

  • Thanks for the cool playing complement. Brian is an awesome player. Check out his other video here.

  • Brian can rip he's really good i enjoy the videos you guys make while playing keep it up. But i also like the bass player Matt he's realy good too but his video of him playing the bassman 300 is too short is that all you have of Matt?

  • I will try and get Matt to play more.

  • does anyone know the strongest 5 volt heater rectifier tube out there? i am trying to power a pair of KT88's and am using a 5v3 which is the largest i could find. it puts out 380mA. most recctifiers i searched were around 250mA or so.

    Cheers.

  • you can try wiring several rectifiers in parallel. In that way the total current handling ability is the sum of the individual rectifiers. And thanks for the kind comment, glad you enjoyed the video

  • can u reccomend the best tubes to replace in my hot rod deville within a reasonable price range. something that can get the crisp warm beautiful sound on clean, and pretty decent drive

  • I have a Hot Rod DeVille and personally I like the sound of the JJ/Tesla 6L6GC tubes. They sound very warm with a dominant mid-range, great for guitar. The SED 6L6GC (as in this video) are more dynamic with a stronger low end and more even mid-range response. You can see the prices for either on the TubeDepot website.

  • Absolutely loved this video, I'll never look at my tubes the same way again!

    Thanks

  • I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

  • I sometimes think my tubes are looking back at me ... like they have little eyes, ears, nose, mouths of their own. Oh wait, that's my reflection ... never mind.

  • Robert Hull! A very helpful guy. I have a '96 Fender blues Deluxe. V1 and V2 JJ 12AX7, V3 JJ 12AT7, outputs SED 6l6GC. SED's are biased at 425v plate, and 32mA. Idle disapation is 45%.A very sweet combination. The high end of the SED's are smooth and sweet. My Tele' rings like a bell without harshness.

  • Good choice of the 12AT7 in the phase inverter, makes for a more volume friendly amp. And I like the SED 6L6GC tubes as well. These are the closest to original Sylvania 6L6GC specs as any tube presently being made.

  • Great video, but man...you speak WAYY too fast !!

  • oh and I want to add... TUBES ARE GOOD !

  • Why?

  • You are right.  I had to squeeze as much info as I could in to the time limit imposed. And I flew through the script to get it under. Hopefully everyone could still understand most of it.

  • That was really informative and fun to watch. pretty much one of the better videos I've seen. Thanks !

  • Glad you enjoyed it. Have you seen our other videos?

  • This is so cool! Thanks so much for doing this!

  • My pleasure ... anything to keep the interest in electronics going.

  • As a trained electrical engineer, 55 years old, I have to say that the fascination with tubes escapes me. The need for an output transformer between the output tubes and the speaker wrecks phase response and loudspeaker damping, especially at low frequencies. Tube distortion figures, even with moderate feedback, are bad. It may be an acceptable type of distortion, but it's distortion nonetheless. I would reccomend reading books by the the solid-state designers Douglas Self or Linsley Hood.

  • I agree with your theory about the undeniable distortion added by tubes. But in application, there is something very pleasant to millions of ears in the "distortion" that tubes create. Although it doesn't make sense, millions of ears all can't be wrong. A good tube circuit really does sound quite good ... and ultimately it is our ears we are trying to please, not the test equipment.

  • Sorry, but I'd have to say that in the audio industry, there is more of a reliance on belief and self-delusion than on measurable results. Sure tube amps sound nice - but their cost is horrendously high. Pay as much for a well designed solid-state amp and you'll achieve something better, more powerful and introducing less coloration of every type. A solid-state amp can sound like tube amp by introducing appropriate distortion. Tubes can't, however, provide the transparency of solid state.

  • Ahhh ... and the argument continues. I work equally well with solid state as with tubes and neither is better or worse ... just different sounds. It all comes down to what the individual likes. I like both so I'm on both sides of the fence.

  • Very True!

    I have the greatest solid state guitar amplifier ever made! a Hartley Thompson.

    I also have a Marshall Plexi 50 watt amp both sound and feel very very good but very very different!

    But when it comes to dynamics, and harmonics there's NOTHING that beats a good tube amplifier!

  • I know that my comments are not popular on this subject, but it depends upon whether one is aiming at sound REPRODUCTION - in which case one wants maximum transparency, no colouration, flat response, maximum loudspeaker damping and a linear transfer characteristic. That can ONLY be produced by a well designed solid-state amp. If, however, you're using an amp for sound PRODUCTION, you want tube distortion to suit part of the sound coloration of an electric guitar.

  • There are hundrends of landmark albums considered some of the best recordings ever made that were recorded totally with inaccurate tube equipment. The goal is not perfect accuracy, instead it is what sounds good to one's ears, irrespective of what anyone else (or their test equipment) says is right or wrong. Some of the most valued paintings in the world are representations of scenes (impressions), they are not perfect photographs. Such is the same with audio. If your ears like it, it is good.

  • If that is what you believe, and you are happy with that, so be it.

  • The purpose of this video is to show the complexity involved in the construction of these devices as well as some basic operation. I think everyone will agree that tubes are quite fascinating in of themselves.

  • Perhaps you should listen to a Fender Twin Reverb guitar tube-amplifier. It just doesn't get any cleaner than that. The tone just "sparkles", and distortion is very low until the amplifier is driven into saturation...

  • There is a reason why the most prestigious and expensive home theater equipment is tube-amplified...

  • I know what you are talking about, however, that subtle tube distortion adds TONE...thickening the overall sonic presentation in a noticeable way...judiciously applied low level harmonic distortion adds characteristics that can be manipulated by the variable attack of the musician...aspects which seem unavailable which many solid state amps...so it really is an interesting discussion and depends on what one is after in expression.

  • If you're talking about CREATING a musical sound - then yes, the distortion in the amplifier (ie an electric guitar amplifier) becomes a part of that sound creation. However, distortion of any kind plays no useful part in sound REPRODUCTION, so that in the playing of records, the distortion introduced by a valve amplifier is difficult to justify.

  • I wish it was as easy as just reproducing only what was there. However, through out the recording process, all the equipment and production EQ decisions that are made are adding distortion. During this entire process, it is the ears of the production team that determine what is good to keep. No where does the test equipment get to decide what is right and wrong sounds, it is the ears that say "this sounds good".

  • I am wondering what your opinion is on a hybrid amplifier? A tube used for the preamp stage, and transistors for the driver and output stages. If made correctly, could you eliminate the need for an output transformer? You would probably need one between the preamp and output stage:( ?

    You should still get that tube sound though, a friend of mine eliminated the need for an output transformer by wiring a bunch of cathodes of preamp tubes together. That seems like a waste of tubes though!

  • The bottom line of all audio reproduction is how does ones ears hear the result. It isn't the test equipment (and performance numbers) that we are trying to please but instead our own hearing and our own tastes. If something sounds good, then it is good no matter what any distortion meter reads. Therefore, if the hybrid amp you are listening to gives you pleasure, then the ultimate goal has been met ... tubes or no tubes. The musical joy is more important than anything else.

  • You're obviousy not a guitar player...

  • I'm a guitarist ... and there is a video of me playing on our youtube account. I'm the one playing the thinline tele through the Deluxe Reverb.

  • Does the Tube Depot manufacture its own tubes?

    I am just wondering because of your logo on the bases. Are there other tube manufacturers still in the U.S. ?

  • Sadly, there are only four companies making mass production tubes quantities in the world, none of which exist in the USA. There are several small companies worldwide that make "boutique" tubes, usually the 300B and KT88 varieties at boutique prices. But the average guitar and HiFi tube is coming from one of those four large companies.

  • I noticed the name SovTek has gone pretty much away and TungSol has come to be popular - I guess the Sov meaning Soviet from the old USSR wasnt too popular anymore so they changed names? Most of the tubes I've seen new are Russian made in plants previously making vacuum tubes for Soviet military equipment in the Cold War era (planes and other equipment I was helping keep in check as part of the USAF back then). Either way as long as they are well made and last it doesnt matter

  • Hmm maybe not seems Sovtek is an export to US brand name independent of TungSol. Googling some of the suppliers such as yourself it seems I may have to dust off the old military tube tester in storage and go back into amp and antique radio repairs now that supplies are coming back. Not only do amps sound better with vacuum tubes but radio equipment works better especialy transmitters with tubes.

  • this is more amazing than how trasisters work, now i see why transisters amplifiers sounl like shit

  • As an indirect defense of transistors, not all tubes sound good. I've had my share of some pretty awful tube and tube circuit sounds. But I will say, for the most part, it is easier to build a good sounding tube circuit than most anything else. But I sure do like my TS-9.

  • so bad vibrato... makes me cry to hear so good player with so bad vibrato...

  • There is no such thing as good or bad vibrato. It's strictly a matter of personal preference...

  • "ok"

  • Very interesting video on tubes! I've gotten tubes from Tube Depot and they are quite good. It is amazing that people can engineer and build such a complex electronic device as a vacuum tube, which we consumers take for granted. Just amazing. Thanks for the video!

  • Everyday I'm still amazed that tubes really work. Electrons flowing in a vacuum ... wow!

  • Nikolai Tesla supposedly found a way to broadcast electricity through the air. JP Morgan tried to block his work, drove him into bankruptcy and Tesla's research "disappeared". Apparently, those little electrons can be made to do some amazing things!

  • VERY COOL video!! It was very interesting to actually see a tube being taken apart! I really enjoyed this one,the presentation is top notch ... I also liked the music!

  • Thank you for the great words of encouragement. Brian is the fantastic opening guitarist. I wish I could play as well. Although, I did write and perform the spinning logo music ... but not as cool as Brian's playing though.

  • You're video answered a lot of questions I had about tubes (known over here as valves), also, i enjoyed the music, really nice!

  • Fantastic presentation. Made tube anatomy and function much clearer than I ever gained from print materials. Keep em coming, Rob!

  • 5 Stars from the Blue Tube Project!!

  • Thanks! We all love the Blue Tube Project ... every one needs to check out your videos too.

  • Hey Cool ! Memories..  :)

    Damian

  • thanks TUBE ..we learn with you evry minute

  • Thanks for taking us inside the tube! Next you can take us to a tube factory so we can see how they are made?!?!?!?!

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