Thin pins on JJ tubes

[BesaMoogie]

Hi,
I have two sets of JJ E34L that have problems making contact in the tube sockets of some amps. This causes that sometimes the filament does not light up or you hear crackling or popping noise. It depends on the pin that has bad contact.

This thin pin problem of JJ tubes was discussed in other forums before. So does anyone have ideas how to solve this without changing the tube sockets?

First I was thinking to put a thin layer of solder on the pins, but it‘s very difficult to make this consistently. And if you put to much on it, you end up widening the contacts of the socket even more.

Another idea would be finding sleves to put on the pins. But they have to match exactly while being very thin, or you end up widening the socket contacts again.

Would appreciate if someone can point me to any direction with this.

 

[Kordoba]

I had this problem with a pair of JJ 6l6s about 14 years ago. I contacted the Tubestore where I ordered them from, and they said I needed to re-tension
my tube sockets. I never had that problem with any other brand of tube in my VTM so I just put the JJs in another amp.

 

[PDC]

I have run into this too. But only with a few sets - not across the board. I was able to use a plastic seal pick and gently work the loose pin contacts together to get consistent contact. Any amp tech should be able to knock this out for you - possibly while you wait? I also found that using the factory spring style tube retainers prevents the power tubes from rocking back and forth, which will really expose a sketchy pin contact. There are several styles, brands of power tube sockets of varying quality and durability. I had an amp with pretty flimsy tube sockets, and let my guy replace them for me. I am in the camp that actually likes JJ tubes - I love the variety of EL34 they offer - EL34, E34-L, EL34-II. They all have a subtle but noticeably different tonal quality that compliments different amps. I’ve never had a jj tube crap out on me - other than gradual decline from normal use.

 

[Geo]

Hi,
I have two sets of JJ E34L that have problems making contact in the tube sockets of some amps. This causes that sometimes the filament does not light up or you hear crackling or popping noise. It depends on the pin that has bad contact.

This thin pin problem of JJ tubes was discussed in other forums before. So does anyone have ideas how to solve this without changing the tube sockets?

First I was thinking to put a thin layer of solder on the pins, but it‘s very difficult to make this consistently. And if you put to much on it, you end up widening the contacts of the socket even more.

Another idea would be finding sleves to put on the pins. But they have to match exactly while being very thin, or you end up widening the socket contacts again.

Would appreciate if someone can point me to any direction with this.

Have you measured them, and compared them to other tubes? How much thinner are they?

 

[BesaMoogie]

Have you measured them, and compared them to other tubes? How much thinner are they?

Yes, it‘s not much, maybe 0.2 or so millimeters. No idea whats that in inch. But this seems to be already enough to cause problems

 

[napalmdeath]

Tighten up the retainers in the tube sockets. Very common.

 

[BesaMoogie]

I have run into this too. But only with a few sets - not across the board. I was able to use a plastic seal pick and gently work the loose pin contacts together to get consistent contact. Any amp tech should be able to knock this out for you - possibly while you wait? I also found that using the factory spring style tube retainers prevents the power tubes from rocking back and forth, which will really expose a sketchy pin contact. There are several styles, brands of power tube sockets of varying quality and durability. I had an amp with pretty flimsy tube sockets, and let my guy replace them for me. I am in the camp that actually likes JJ tubes - I love the variety of EL34 they offer - EL34, E34-L, EL34-II. They all have a subtle but noticeably different tonal quality that compliments different amps. I’ve never had a jj tube crap out on me - other than gradual decline from normal use.

I was able to „tighten“ the contacts of my bias probe. But in the case of the amp, it‘s difficult to get deep enough inside the sockets as the contacts seem to be further inside them.

 

[napalmdeath]

I was able to „tighten“ the contacts of my bias probe. But in the case of the amp, it‘s difficult to get deep enough inside the sockets as the contacts seem to be further inside them.

Get a pick set.

https://www.amazon.com/HORUSDY-4-Pi...t&qid=1673103754&sprefix=pick+,aps,194&sr=8-5

 

[psychodave]

Any thin pins were easily fixed by adding a little solder to each pin. Took maybe 10 minutes do do 4 tubes.

 

[dave74]

It's not the size of the pins that matter,,,,,,,,,,,,she said it's how you use them lol.

 

[BesaMoogie]

Get a pick set.

https://www.amazon.com/HORUSDY-4-Pi...t&qid=1673103754&sprefix=pick+,aps,194&sr=8-5

Thanks, looks like the right tool for the job

 

[BesaMoogie]

Any thin pins were easily fixed by adding a little solder to each pin. Took maybe 10 minutes do do 4 tubes.

I actually tried this on one tube but wasn`t really sold on it. Maybe I just have to work on my solder skills

 

[japetus]

It's not the size of the pins that matter,,,,,,,,,,,,she said it's how you use them lol.

She lied!

 

[Kordoba]

She lied!

They always do!