Anyone want to test some tubes? Will pay...

[peckhart]

I've got a growing collection of tubes that I am just not sure how good or bad they really are. I would like to sort that out so I can properly file away good ones and trash the bad ones.
I don't have a tube tester and just can't justify buying one that will properly do the job.
So I am wondering if some with a good tester would be willing to take the job on as a paid service. I'll ship to you and pay for return shipping. We can negotiate a payment for the service.
I'm not sure how much I really have but we are talking a medium sized box...not crates and crates of glass here.

 

[lespaul6]

Wiz has some brand new stuff.. not sure if he wants to take on the task, but his gear looks impressive

 

[Racerxrated]

Wiz has some brand new stuff.. not sure if he wants to take on the task, but his gear looks impressive

I believe Psychodave also has a good tester. I have one but it’s pretty ancient, was 50 bucks and tells me if tubes are good or not, shorts, emissions etc. But it’s not at the same level of what others have.

 

[psychodave]

I have digital testers and don’t mind helping, but how many tubes are we talking about.

Thing is, to properly test, tubes need to warm up, which takes 5-10 minutes. With power tubes I do that for EACH tube. So it takes time.

 

[peckhart]

I'll inventory and let you know how many I would be looking to test.

 

[Beam Tetrode]

It's pointless testing tubes that way. The performance of a tube depends on the circuit it's being used in.

 

[psychodave]

It's pointless testing tubes that way. The performance of a tube depends on the circuit it's being used in.

So a tube testing dead or weak in a tester could be like new in one amp circuit and dead in another? I get what you are saying, but knowing that you’re putting in good tubes let’s you learn what different circuits actually sound like and take the guesswork out wonder if the tubes are changing the sound.

I test every tube I put into my amplifiers so I know EXACTLY what to expect and be able to replicate the sound as necessary.

 

[Beam Tetrode]

It's pointless testing tubes that way. The performance of a tube depends on the circuit it's being used in.

So a tube testing dead or weak in a tester could be like new in one amp circuit and dead in another? I get what you are saying, but knowing that you’re putting in good tubes let’s you learn what different circuits actually sound like and take the guesswork out wonder if the tubes are changing the sound.

I test every tube I put into my amplifiers so I know EXACTLY what to expect and be able to replicate the sound as necessary.

Yes, for example... a particular 12AT7 may be too weak to operate as a reverb driver (power output stage) but will operate just fine as a phase inverter or input stage (voltage gain).

New Sensor has a great article about tube testers here: https://www.newsensor.com/faqs7.aspx

 

[psychodave]

It's pointless testing tubes that way. The performance of a tube depends on the circuit it's being used in.

So a tube testing dead or weak in a tester could be like new in one amp circuit and dead in another? I get what you are saying, but knowing that you’re putting in good tubes let’s you learn what different circuits actually sound like and take the guesswork out wonder if the tubes are changing the sound.

I test every tube I put into my amplifiers so I know EXACTLY what to expect and be able to replicate the sound as necessary.

Yes, for example... a particular 12AT7 may be too weak to operate as a reverb driver (power output stage) but will operate just fine as a phase inverter or input stage (voltage gain).

New Sensor has a great article about tube testers here: https://www.newsensor.com/faqs7.aspx

I’ll counter with the following article:

http://www.guitaramplifierblueprinting.com/12ax7.html

 

[Beam Tetrode]

It's pointless testing tubes that way. The performance of a tube depends on the circuit it's being used in.

So a tube testing dead or weak in a tester could be like new in one amp circuit and dead in another? I get what you are saying, but knowing that you’re putting in good tubes let’s you learn what different circuits actually sound like and take the guesswork out wonder if the tubes are changing the sound.

I test every tube I put into my amplifiers so I know EXACTLY what to expect and be able to replicate the sound as necessary.

Yes, for example... a particular 12AT7 may be too weak to operate as a reverb driver (power output stage) but will operate just fine as a phase inverter or input stage (voltage gain).

New Sensor has a great article about tube testers here: https://www.newsensor.com/faqs7.aspx

I’ll counter with the following article:

http://www.guitaramplifierblueprinting.com/12ax7.html

What am I supposed to make of your article? If anything it supports my argument. Half way down the page:

"NOTE: The conversion scale to the left was done by
me in 2002. Since 2005 I have been using a scale that
takes into account transconductance, current output,
plate resistance and actual true gain.

Unless ALL the above factors are taken into account
you will not know what a tube is doing. A tube that
passes with high TC numbers on a conventional tube
tester can have low plate resistance (and most do
these days) and then it will have very low gain.

Conventional tube testers do not measure true gain.
The VTV tube tester has a "gain" scale that has nothing
at all to do with the actual gain or even the
transconductance of the tube."

 

[Pseudo Drew Peterson]

So is the Maximatcher worth the money? I seriously can’t hear much difference in tubes and don’t really feel like swapping in and out to test which sounds better.

Right now I just have the Orange tester. It’s ok I guess but sometimes it tells me a tube is bad and then I test it again and it’s good...

 

[LP Freak]

So is the Maximatcher worth the money? I seriously can’t hear much difference in tubes and don’t really feel like swapping in and out to test which sounds better.

Right now I just have the Orange tester. It’s ok I guess but sometimes it tells me a tube is bad and then I test it again and it’s good...

I think you just answered your own question

 

[Racerxrated]

So is the Maximatcher worth the money? I seriously can’t hear much difference in tubes and don’t really feel like swapping in and out to test which sounds better.

Right now I just have the Orange tester. It’s ok I guess but sometimes it tells me a tube is bad and then I test it again and it’s good...

I think you just answered your own question

 

[Pseudo Drew Peterson]

Yup just saved myself $1700.

 

[311boogieman]

So is the Maximatcher worth the money? I seriously can’t hear much difference in tubes and don’t really feel like swapping in and out to test which sounds better.

Right now I just have the Orange tester. It’s ok I guess but sometimes it tells me a tube is bad and then I test it again and it’s good...

Can't tell if you are trolling or really want to know.

 

[Racerxrated]

So is the Maximatcher worth the money? I seriously can’t hear much difference in tubes and don’t really feel like swapping in and out to test which sounds better.

Right now I just have the Orange tester. It’s ok I guess but sometimes it tells me a tube is bad and then I test it again and it’s good...

Can't tell if you are trolling or really want to know.

Oh it's trolling....all pseudodouche knows how to do.

 

[glip22]

I know of at least one builder who purposely uses very mismatched preamp tubes within a specific tolerances in certain V slots. It does make a big difference. The only way to know the current draw and transconductance is to have a good tester. Some may be interested in knowing a tube's results and some may not.

On another note, the guy that tests the tubes and is anal about each position, and what a tube should read in that particular amp, may sound like shit when he plays through it. Another guy, who cares less, may sound great through any amp regardless of how the tubes test. Just a general statement not intended toward anyone

 

[Pseudo Drew Peterson]

So is the Maximatcher worth the money? I seriously can’t hear much difference in tubes and don’t really feel like swapping in and out to test which sounds better.

Right now I just have the Orange tester. It’s ok I guess but sometimes it tells me a tube is bad and then I test it again and it’s good...

Can't tell if you are trolling or really want to know.

Oh it's trolling....all pseudodouche know how to do.

Looks like someone is on the rag. Drink some cranberry juice and get some rest. You have a big day tomorrow watching CNN and eating bonbons.

 

[Racerxrated]

So is the Maximatcher worth the money? I seriously can’t hear much difference in tubes and don’t really feel like swapping in and out to test which sounds better.

Right now I just have the Orange tester. It’s ok I guess but sometimes it tells me a tube is bad and then I test it again and it’s good...

Can't tell if you are trolling or really want to know.

Oh it's trolling....all pseudodouche know how to do.

Looks like someone is on the rag. Drink some cranberry juice and get some rest. You have a big day tomorrow watching CNN and eating bonbons.

#Unindicted co conspirator
#MAGA
#Build the wall and crime will fall!

Ahh the gift that keeps on giving...you do know that the Justice dept can extradite your molesting ass from canuckland right?
#No Pardon for You

 

[Pseudo Drew Peterson]

So is the Maximatcher worth the money? I seriously can’t hear much difference in tubes and don’t really feel like swapping in and out to test which sounds better.

Right now I just have the Orange tester. It’s ok I guess but sometimes it tells me a tube is bad and then I test it again and it’s good...

Can't tell if you are trolling or really want to know.

Oh it's trolling....all pseudodouche know how to do.

Looks like someone is on the rag. Drink some cranberry juice and get some rest. You have a big day tomorrow watching CNN and eating bonbons.

#Unindicted co conspirator
#MAGA
#Build the wall and crime will fall!

Ahh the gift that keeps on giving...you do know that the Justice dept can extradite your molesting ass from canuckland right?
#No Pardon for You

That all you got? What a loser.
Your losing to much blood and your tampon is starting to stink biatch. Keep em coming...