2 Questions: Best tubes for a VH4 & need amp guy in Raleigh.

[James Lugo]

I think the tubes are gone in my VH4 what are the best makes and combos? Does it need to be biased? Does anyone know a good amp guy in Raleigh? Where do I get the tubes?

 

[threadkiller]

Your in good hands

http://www.madscienceworks.com/

Yontz is great. Knows what he is doing, reasonable prices, and a cool guy to boot.

 

[FourT6and2]

Depends on what flavor you like. For EL34's I like the SED Winged =C= and the Ruby EL34-BHT. Yes, the amp needs to be biased.

For preamp tubes, I like the Chinese Shuguang 9th Generation 12AX7 HG+ (low noise).

 

[Drkorey]

+1 Yontz

 

[Capulin Overdrive]

Like 46@2 said, kind of depends what you want out of the amp.

The chinese bht's are pretty nice tubes with good low end and great feel, but they're a little short on mids.

I'm running Gold Lion Kt-77's in mine for some nice upper mids and have been pretty happy. Haven't had my Vh4 very long, so haven't tried much for tubes.

 

[King Guitar]

Recent stock tubes are:

EL34BHT power tubes.

V1/V2: TAD 7025 Highgrade B-side special Diezel selection
same as alternativ RUBY 12AX7AC5 HG+ B-side special Diezel selection.

V2-V7: TAD NN001/12AX7-C same as alternative RUBY 12AX7AC5 HG.

All tubes comes from the Shuguang factory in China. They sound best
for my taste and got a acceptable relaibility (knocking on wood).

 

[Ventura]

Chinese 12AX7B or C, TAD 7025S are golden too.

SED =C= EL34 and 6550 - both are different, both sound outrageously awesome

 

[guitarobert]

+1 to what Brad said.

They were doing trials of the Ruby EL34-BG for a while and there were great comments on it, apparently better than the Ruby EL34-BHT. I heard the BGs in a Hagen and they sounded fantastic. Didn't get to hear the BHTs in the same amp to compare though.

Peter has been talking on the forum abou switching to JJ KT77s.

I have EL34-BHTs right now and I'm happy!

magicparts.com has all the Ruby tubes. You can also try Dougstubes.com for the power amp tubes. The only ones he wouldn't have are the V1/V2 tubes Brad mentioned. magicparts.com should be able to sell you all of them.

Depending on when you bought the VH4 it may have 6550s in it. Take a look to see. Switching to EL34s will be a change if so but it sounds great.

If you change the power amp tubes it needs to be biased. Target around 35mA per tube because the bias current drops after a bit of playing.

 

[Superunknown]

Ruby EL34 STR's or BHT. I have BHT's in mine but both are killer.

I like EH's in my VH4 pre-amp...the HG+ is great as well.

 

[James Lugo]

Do u guys know any other local amp guys in Raleigh that can bias the amp? It looks like there's a 3 week wait I'm in the middle of a record and need someone who can do it while I wait or in a day.

 

[HerbieBoogie]

wanna tango with danger and broken ear drums go for 6550s. i liked them a lot im my old herbie but you have to crank them!

 

[Nigel Tufnel]

Do u guys know any other local amp guys in Raleigh that can bias the amp? It looks like there's a 3 week wait I'm in the middle of a record and need someone who can do it while I wait or in a day.

Hey James, I dunno if he would mess with it or not but Greg Germino is in Saxapahaw which is about halfway between Chapel Hill and Burlington. I'm in Winston Salem, I could knock it out for you while you wait no problem but we're a couple hours and some change apart. I'd be happy to accommodate you if you want to make the drive but there must be someone else closer to you. I'll ask around a bit for you later today and see if I can come up with anything.

 

[threadkiller]

Do u guys know any other local amp guys in Raleigh that can bias the amp? It looks like there's a 3 week wait I'm in the middle of a record and need someone who can do it while I wait or in a day.

There is also Darren Riley in Raleigh, but I don't know that he'd be any quicker. He is pretty much into selling parts now and really isn't too interested unless you have an old Fender or something vintage.

 

[RedRider]

I gave the guys at 3Monkeys a call and Greg immediately came back recommending Yontz at Mad Science also...

Sounds to be like its time to learn how to bias amps myself and put an add on CL!!

 

[James Lugo]

I gave the guys at 3Monkeys a call and Greg immediately came back recommending Yontz at Mad Science also...

Sounds to be like its time to learn how to bias amps myself and put an add on CL!!

Thanks bill. Yeah I may have to just do it myself. Boy I miss friedman. I had it good.

 

[ampjunkie]

There's Tim at Superfine too. Darren is out of the repair biz, last I heard.

Between Germino, TopHat, Port City, Swart, and Carr, I'm sure someone could do you a solid.

 

[King Guitar]

PM Sent with the Raleigh hook up...god I have been in this business a long time...

 

[FourT6and2]

Target around 35mA per tube because the bias current drops after a bit of playing.

I don't see how you can throw out an arbitrary bias number like that without knowing the plate voltage (among other things) is on his specific amp. Not all amps, even of the same make/model, have the same exact plate voltage. And there are a few other factors which will vary, including mains power.