Diezel VH4S Tube Question

[Veritas0Aequitas]

I think the tubes in my VH4S are starting to go. The volume doesn't seem as loud, tone is starting to become more muddy, etc. I bought the amp used 2 years ago and I know the tubes were already a year old then. I played pretty steady in a band for 6 months and practice at least once a week on my own now. Does this sound like the tubes need to be replaced?

I don't know if this is related or not but I used to notice volume fluctuations when we would be practicing as a band or sometimes even on my own. I'm thinking that wasn't a tube problem, more like a house power problem. Although it has happened to me in more than one spot. I guess I use a lot of power.

Either way, I saw the tubes in it right now are JJ E 34 L tubes. Should I get the same exact ones or go with the JJ KT77 like everyone is raving about in the VH4? Also, I have no idea how to bias these suckers since it needs to be rebiased each time new tubes are put in. Is it difficult or should I find someone in town that can do it?

Also, I figured while I'm doing this I might as well get my preamp tubes replaced. Recommendations?

It should also be noted that I play more of a rock style and and not metal.

Thanks!
Andrew

 

[Sigma.Xiria]

Nice username haha

I learned the hard way, everyone says you should get brand new tubes when you always buy your amp used from someone else. I didn't do that and the 6550's that my VH4 came with pretty much exploded... very loud and very scary :/

I would like to say that the volume fluctuations are tube related (and they most likely are), but we will see what a more knowledgeable mind has to offer on the situation

As far as new tubes, I use the Ruby EL34BG's currently and I like those a lot. Here soon I will be trying some JJ 6l6GC's then, after that, the JJ KT77's.

For the preamp, I use the Diezel recommended Ruby preamp tubes that I purchased directly from Diezel.

I provided an attachment that Peter gives to people asking about tubes haha.

If you are not comfortable biasing ( I know I am not ) it is best to find someone who can do it correctly. I bet there is someone in your area who knows what they are doing. You can be seriously injured (death) if you do it wrong and you can damage your amp.

 

[Veritas0Aequitas]

Nice username haha

I learned the hard way, everyone says you should get brand new tubes when you always buy your amp used from someone else. I didn't do that and the 6550's that my VH4 came with pretty much exploded... very loud and very scary :/

I would like to say that the volume fluctuations are tube related (and they most likely are), but we will see what a more knowledgeable mind has to offer on the situation

As far as new tubes, I use the Ruby EL34BG's currently and I like those a lot. Here soon I will be trying some JJ 6l6GC's then, after that, the JJ KT77's.

For the preamp, I use the Diezel recommended Ruby preamp tubes that I purchased directly from Diezel.

I provided an attachment that Peter gives to people asking about tubes haha.

If you are not comfortable biasing ( I know I am not ) it is best to find someone who can do it correctly. I bet there is someone in your area who knows what they are doing. You can be seriously injured (death) if you do it wrong and you can damage your amp.

Thanks for the reply! Wow, scary stuff! I am bringing the amp to a guy here in town to test the tubes today. I just don't know which tubes to put in next. Maybe I'll try the KT77's and then get the Ruby preamp tubes. How do you know which Ruby preamp tubes to get? There's more than one listed. I'm kind of confused here...

I noticed you're in Parker, CO! That's not too far from me (I'm here in the Springs). Where did you get all your amp work done? Any recommendations? I don't mind driving for someone who knows what they're doing on a Diezel.

 

[Sigma.Xiria]

Nice username haha

I learned the hard way, everyone says you should get brand new tubes when you always buy your amp used from someone else. I didn't do that and the 6550's that my VH4 came with pretty much exploded... very loud and very scary :/

I would like to say that the volume fluctuations are tube related (and they most likely are), but we will see what a more knowledgeable mind has to offer on the situation

As far as new tubes, I use the Ruby EL34BG's currently and I like those a lot. Here soon I will be trying some JJ 6l6GC's then, after that, the JJ KT77's.

For the preamp, I use the Diezel recommended Ruby preamp tubes that I purchased directly from Diezel.

I provided an attachment that Peter gives to people asking about tubes haha.

If you are not comfortable biasing ( I know I am not ) it is best to find someone who can do it correctly. I bet there is someone in your area who knows what they are doing. You can be seriously injured (death) if you do it wrong and you can damage your amp.

Thanks for the reply! Wow, scary stuff! I am bringing the amp to a guy here in town to test the tubes today. I just don't know which tubes to put in next. Maybe I'll try the KT77's and then get the Ruby preamp tubes. How do you know which Ruby preamp tubes to get? There's more than one listed. I'm kind of confused here...

I noticed you're in Parker, CO! That's not too far from me (I'm here in the Springs). Where did you get all your amp work done? Any recommendations? I don't mind driving for someone who knows what they're doing on a Diezel.

Oh hey! that is awesome! I am pretty sure you and I are the only ones in town with the VH4.

The preamp tubes in that PDF file are the ones you get for each socket (V1, V2, V3 etc...)

I ordered my tubes direct from Diezel when they had US tech support out in California. You can order them from Peter I am more then positive. When I my amp in to the US Diezel tech support, it was biased, re-tubed and updated.

the first time my tubes blew, I met a guy on here named Tom who lives out in the springs and he gave me some new power tubes and he was able to bias it with a Bias rite adapter.

I will try to get a hold of Tom and see what he can do. My number is 303 907 5505 if you would like to text me!

My name is Cameron by the way

 

[Sigma.Xiria]

I sent you a PM with Tom's number! He is a great guy!

 

[Ventura]

Best tubes in my VH4S (VH4 as well) were:
Winged =C= SED EL34s
Winged =C= 6550s

As for preamps, high grade Chinese/Shuguang 12AX7 - so 12AX7B or C tubes.

The best KT77s I've ever used to date are the Gold Lion brand. I've never tried them in a V-model Diezel though, just for the record.

Peace,
Mo