Tung-Sol.com:: FAQs When should I change the Tubes in my amplifier?

FAQs

Question:
When should I change the Tubes in my amplifier?
Answer:
First pay attention to your amplifier’s performance. When you hear the sound begin to deteriorate, it may be time to change the tubes. You may notice that chords sound muddy, the amplifier is losing high or low frequency response, there is poor balance in the level of various notes, or the amplifier lacks punch and sounds weak. If the amplifier is making funny noises such as ringing, popping, or ghost notes or power is fading up and down, these are all indications that it is most likely time to replace the tubes.

When one power tube starts to go bad, it will draw down the other power tubes in the set. In this case it is best to replace them with an entire set of matched output tubes. This will ensure that all of the tubes in the replacement set will wear evenly and provide the best tone. Many amplifier technicians also replace the phase inverter (driver) tube when replacing the power tubes, because it is the hardest working preamp tube in the signal chain.

Amplifier manufacturers generally use the least expensive tubes in their products. We created and reissued many great "tone tubes" to help musicians get the best possible tone from their amplifiers. These tubes can used to get an improvement in the sound of most amplifiers. The original Tweed Fender Bassman came with Tung-Sol tubes during the 1950s. If the factory installed tubes in the reissue ’59 Bassman are replaced with reissue Tung-Sol 5881s in the power section.

The Tung-Sol 12AX7 has a very full and musical sound signature and is the perfect tube to improve the tone of a bland and thin sounding amplifier.

<<back