Had my amp serviced Jaded Faith did the work

[mantis]

Hello all,
Just wanted to give some mad props to Jaded Faith Amp Mod's. Rob is fantastic and really knows his stuff.
My Krank after 10 years of use and gone through several Tube changes , this tube change time the amp didn't seem to sound right. Now granted I tried other then factory Tubes in it and went with JJ preamp tubes and Ruby Power amp tubes all matched.
I thought at first the difference in tone and lack there of was just the different tubes tone. Well I figured I better get it checked out as the Bias was never adjusted in 10 years. According to Krank, you don't have to reset up the Bias if you use the factory Matched Tubes. They are Sovtek 5881/6L6GC power amp tubes and Electro Harmonix 12AX7 preamp tubes. I always replaced both sets at least every year or when the amp starts to get saggy. The Power amp tubes wear out way faster then the Preamp tubes IMO. I only had to change the Preamp tubes like 5 or 6 times over the 10 years or so I owned this amp since NEW.

Rob found the Bias set in correctly for the tubes I was using, he cleaned the sockets and tested all my tubes. Amps sounds back to new again.

What a difference a little Love makes.

[Nightbat]

I only had to change the Preamp tubes like 5 or 6 times over the 10 years or so I owned this amp since NEW.

that's about 5-6 more than necessary

[toejam]

Yeah, preamp tubes don't really need to be changed.

[mantis]

I'm sure over time they must wear out right? Maybe I'm mental about my tone but every other time I put new Power amp tubes in I feel the need to replace the Preamp tubes.
So if I'm replacing them way to much , what would be a good interval to replace them?

[Frigo89]

I'm sure over time they must wear out right? Maybe I'm mental about my tone but every other time I put new Power amp tubes in I feel the need to replace the Preamp tubes.
So if I'm replacing them way to much , what would be a good interval to replace them?

I have had the preamp tubes in my amp for 5 years, and have no reason to switch them yet. If they become microphonic or you feel like changing your tone, then you could change them

[DonP]

Maybe I'm mental about my tone

If it makes you think is sounds better, you should do it. Preamp tubes aren't pricey.

Myself, I still have the same tubes in my DSL as when I bought it new in 1998. I have boxes and boxes of tubes in the basement - enough to re-tube it 3 or 4 times, but to me it sounds great. And if it ain't broke, don't fuck with it.

[Nightbat]

My Hafler Triple Giant is still running with its original pre's
...that thing is from '91-ish

But I will concur with DonP, if you think it sounds better, do it
Other pre's can actually alter the character of your sound, to suit your tastes
(Chinese are thin and gainy, JJ thick and subdued for instance) not every 12AX7 will sound the same and it's not like those things cost a fortune

[mantis]

My Hafler Triple Giant is still running with its original pre's
...that thing is from '91-ish

But I will concur with DonP, if you think it sounds better, do it
Other pre's can actually alter the character of your sound, to suit your tastes
(Chinese are thin and rainy, JJ thick and subdued for instance) not every 12AX7 will sound the same and it's not like those things cost a fortune

I gotta admit my amp sounds incredible. I replaced the Electro Harmonix 12AX7EH's with JJ 12AX7's and yes it does sound thicker warmer compared. I didn't throw out the preamp tubes so now I just have many sets of back ups.
I'm using the Ruby 5881/6L6's in the power amp section and they are a match set tested. They also sound really really good. I'm not sure if they sound better or just slightly different than the Sovtek 5881/6L6GC's that I've been using and thats the factory brand.

[VitaminG]

Rob's the dude. I've had him build me a couple of MTS modules. Great work