Having some issues biasing my PRS Archon 25W combo

[napalmdeath]

Send them back and let them know that you need tubes within the range that you need.

You don't return tubes because you're uninformed. That's pretty silly.

You should know what you're doing when you order tubes. It's not the tube vendor's vault when you fuck up.

Go ahead, OP. Ask Doug if you can return them....

As far as modification, it's to allow for a wider range of adjustment.

 

[napalmdeath]

5881s are 23 watt tubes

Tubes are not all exactly the same, They are measured, and rated based on current draw, that is how they are matched. They should be able to get you a set of Ruby 6l6gcms that will draw more current.

Yeah, just let Doug know you need a warmer pair. You're stuck with what you bought, however. I know Doug well, he won't take them back.

 

[Crunchtime]

I would not modify amp, I would contact ValveQueen.

 

[Chris6870]

Any time I bought tubes (Eurotubes, Valve Queen) I told them what amp they were for and they send the right ones. You can offer input on what your looking for but they are the experts,they should be able to sell you the right tubes for your amp. I'd be looking for another supplier.

 

[Omega1397]

Thanks guys, it looks like Doug isn't taking back my tubes. My options as of now are to send them to valve queen to get the same Ruby 6L6GCM's but hotter, or to eurotubes for a JJ 6L6 (since they don't carry ruby).

My issue is that i've been having a hard time with communicating with Valvequeen. I ordered new preamp tubes for my VH4 two weeks ago, and they haven't heard or answered any emails back. Eurotubes seems to have the best customer service by far.

Does anyone know the difference between these two?

 

[napalmdeath]

Any time I bought tubes (Eurotubes, Valve Queen) I told them what amp they were for and they send the right ones. You can offer input on what your looking for but they are the experts,they should be able to sell you the right tubes for your amp. I'd be looking for another supplier.

Dougs is top notch. You need to know what grade, when you buy, IE: early, average, late breakup. That's how he does it.

Eurotubes repairs, and biases amps, and have an extensive list of amps and kits for them. They know what works in what amp - if it's listed on their site, they've done their homework. Valve Queen, she may know which tubes will sound best for what you are after, but I seriously doubt her knowledge of a gazillion amps is no more than Doug's.

To say you'd look for another tube vendor because you were unable to make an informed decision and picked a cold pair, is ludicrous. Tube dealers aren't Wal-Mart. I challenge you to name ONE tube dealer that would take these back under these circumstances. You learn your lesson, and you eat it.

 

[napalmdeath]

Thanks guys, it looks like Doug isn't taking back my tubes. My options as of now are to send them to valve queen to get the same Ruby 6L6GCM's but hotter, or to eurotubes for a JJ 6L6 (since they don't carry ruby).

My issue is that i've been having a hard time with communicating with Valvequeen. I ordered new preamp tubes for my VH4 two weeks ago, and they haven't heard or answered any emails back. Eurotubes seems to have the best customer service by far.

Does anyone know the difference between these two?

JJs have always been my go-to 6L6. Bigger, warmer, and tighter.

Ruby 6L6GCMSTR's are the Chinese. Nice quality, but I find grainy at times, less warmth, increased highs. Usually the cheapest you can buy, which is why so many builders use them. They'll blow sunshine about how they love them, but theyre LOW COST.

Call Eddie at Eurotubes and be done with it. He's my go-to for JJs, and you nailed it... His Customer Service is THE BEST. Doug's always been good to me, but he can be a dick sometimes.

 

[japetus]

Hmm..I just heard back from Doug and he tells me that it could be possible to change my value resistor. Thoughts?

Whaaaaaaaat??

 

[Chris6870]

Any time I bought tubes (Eurotubes, Valve Queen) I told them what amp they were for and they send the right ones. You can offer input on what your looking for but they are the experts,they should be able to sell you the right tubes for your amp. I'd be looking for another supplier.

Dougs is top notch. You need to know what grade, when you buy, IE: early, average, late breakup. That's how he does it.

Eurotubes repairs, and biases amps, and have an extensive list of amps and kits for them. They know what works in what amp - if it's listed on their site, they've done their homework. Valve Queen, she may know which tubes will sound best for what you are after, but I seriously doubt her knowledge of a gazillion amps is no more than Doug's.

To say you'd look for another tube vendor because you were unable to make an informed decision and picked a cold pair, is ludicrous. Tube dealers aren't Wal-Mart. I challenge you to name ONE tube dealer that would take these back under these circumstances. You learn your lesson, and you eat it.

There should be no need to return them. They should be in the range were they can be properly biased in the first place. If your just going to get a random set of tubes you might as well get them from Amazon or wherever at the best price you can find. Your paying extra from these tube vendors for their expertise.
And the reason I would be looking for another vendor is for the suggestion to mod a new amp so his tubes will work in it.

 

[Omega1397]

Even if you calculate the range on the stock tubes it should be up around 45 if I remember right, but the bias range can’t go that high. PRS recommends bias at 30-35 amp whichbis way too cold for an amp with such a low plate voltage. I just put it as high as it goes, and it sounds fine, but when I order new tubes I’ll ask for a warmer grade.

BTW - the Archon is killer with a Creamback H speaker. I just put one in mine, and it really makes that amp shine!!!

Hey man, just to follow up. I know this is a noob question, but I was looking for a creamback speaker and can't find one rated at 50W for the amp. Would it be fine to use a 65W one- the lowest wattage I can seem to find.

 

[Omega1397]

Thanks guys, it looks like Doug isn't taking back my tubes. My options as of now are to send them to valve queen to get the same Ruby 6L6GCM's but hotter, or to eurotubes for a JJ 6L6 (since they don't carry ruby).

My issue is that i've been having a hard time with communicating with Valvequeen. I ordered new preamp tubes for my VH4 two weeks ago, and they haven't heard or answered any emails back. Eurotubes seems to have the best customer service by far.

Does anyone know the difference between these two?

JJs have always been my go-to 6L6. Bigger, warmer, and tighter.

Ruby 6L6GCMSTR's are the Chinese. Nice quality, but I find grainy at times, less warmth, increased highs. Usually the cheapest you can buy, which is why so many builders use them. They'll blow sunshine about how they love them, but theyre LOW COST.

Call Eddie at Eurotubes and be done with it. He's my go-to for JJs, and you nailed it... His Customer Service is THE BEST. Doug's always been good to me, but he can be a dick sometimes.

Yeah, Eddie from Eurotubes has provided me with the most top notch and kind customer service by far. Doug is also responsive, but he does have a rather straightforward, no bullshit demeanor- but hey, I too would be annoyed from getting countless emails a day asking "What's the best tube for my amp?"

 

[Crunchtime]

Even if you calculate the range on the stock tubes it should be up around 45 if I remember right, but the bias range can’t go that high. PRS recommends bias at 30-35 amp whichbis way too cold for an amp with such a low plate voltage. I just put it as high as it goes, and it sounds fine, but when I order new tubes I’ll ask for a warmer grade.

BTW - the Archon is killer with a Creamback H speaker. I just put one in mine, and it really makes that amp shine!!!

Hey man, just to follow up. I know this is a noob question, but I was looking for a creamback speaker and can't find one rated at 50W for the amp. Would it be fine to use a 65W one- the lowest wattage I can seem to find.

You will be fine using any speaker that is rated at least as many watts as your amp. For example, a 70 watt Celestion V30 is totally fine with a Mesa Mark V25 amp. Just don't use a speaker rated for less than what your amp can put out.

 

[Omega1397]

Even if you calculate the range on the stock tubes it should be up around 45 if I remember right, but the bias range can’t go that high. PRS recommends bias at 30-35 amp whichbis way too cold for an amp with such a low plate voltage. I just put it as high as it goes, and it sounds fine, but when I order new tubes I’ll ask for a warmer grade.

BTW - the Archon is killer with a Creamback H speaker. I just put one in mine, and it really makes that amp shine!!!

Hey man, just to follow up. I know this is a noob question, but I was looking for a creamback speaker and can't find one rated at 50W for the amp. Would it be fine to use a 65W one- the lowest wattage I can seem to find.

You will be fine using any speaker that is rated at least as many watts as your amp. For example, a 70 watt Celestion V30 is totally fine with a Mesa Mark V25 amp. Just don't use a speaker rated for less than what your amp can put out.

Thanks a lot man. Just ordered the creambacks for my Archon

 

[GuitarGuyLP]

The 65 watt, and 75 watt creamback are totally different speakers. The 75 has a large magnet which gives it more lows, and highs. Hence the creamback H for heavy magnet. The 65 watt is the M for medium magnet.

 

[napalmdeath]

Any time I bought tubes (Eurotubes, Valve Queen) I told them what amp they were for and they send the right ones. You can offer input on what your looking for but they are the experts,they should be able to sell you the right tubes for your amp. I'd be looking for another supplier.

Dougs is top notch. You need to know what grade, when you buy, IE: early, average, late breakup. That's how he does it.

Eurotubes repairs, and biases amps, and have an extensive list of amps and kits for them. They know what works in what amp - if it's listed on their site, they've done their homework. Valve Queen, she may know which tubes will sound best for what you are after, but I seriously doubt her knowledge of a gazillion amps is no more than Doug's.

To say you'd look for another tube vendor because you were unable to make an informed decision and picked a cold pair, is ludicrous. Tube dealers aren't Wal-Mart. I challenge you to name ONE tube dealer that would take these back under these circumstances. You learn your lesson, and you eat it.

There should be no need to return them. They should be in the range were they can be properly biased in the first place. If your just going to get a random set of tubes you might as well get them from Amazon or wherever at the best price you can find. Your paying extra from these tube vendors for their expertise.
And the reason I would be looking for another vendor is for the suggestion to mod a new amp so his tubes will work in it.

I don't think Doug would ever recommend modding an amp "so his tubes will work". I believe it was merely suggested to give a larger sweep in the adjustment. That would benefit the amp for ANY grade of tube, from ANY vendor, including Amazon.