ooh, ooh, ooh lookie what i got!

SKATE RAT · January 07, 2010, 08:27:44 PM

and the Plush.....notice the Telefunken's

Psycho Bass Guy · January 07, 2010, 10:44:01 PM

In regards to the Traynor, that is definitely an EL34. If there's a hole in its guide pin, it's a Mullard. Is there any marking for country of origin? BTW, that 6BQ5 is also known and as the EL84, and is a low-power, power tube. It acts as a driver for the reverb. Its most famous application is as the output tube of the Vox AC30.

Psycho Bass Guy · January 07, 2010, 11:06:28 PM

Quote from: SKATE RAT on January 07, 2010, 07:37:24 PM
hey psycho bass. the Traynor is great just the way it is. but i have a Plush Royal Bass head, that needs an overhaul. it works but makes a lot of noise. it has 4 Sovtek 6L6's that were put in, in 2000. its maybe 100 Watts.

It's a low-brow copy of the Fender Dual Showman.

Quotei'm not sure how old the pre amp tubes are?

They are most likely fine and will probably outlive you. Most audiophiles would cringe to know that you have Telefunkens in a... gasp... bass amp.

Quotewhat can you recomend that would give me more balls.i want to get it as loud and dirty as i can.i also have an empty Sunn 2X15 cab,any idea what speakers i should get? i think i'll get a 2nd 2X15 later on. i need to convert it to a 3 prong as well since it keeps picking up Mexican radio stations.

The noise and the radio stations are related, and a three prong power cord will help neither, even though it is a good idea. The amp probably needs a serious going-through and lots of caps and a few resistors, not a set of tubes. If that amp were healthy, if would be a tone monster, and would have a fat sound that would crunch up nicely with overdrive, but don't expect loads of volume out of it; it's just not there.

For the cab, if you like balls, the usuals are the JBL D130, Altec 421 and any of the CTS 15's Ampeg used in the 70's. Modern 15's aren't going to be voiced for overdrive, though you may find some that work. Eminence probably makes a dozen or so models of 15's that will do what you want, but you'll have to know which one. These guys: https://taweber.powweb.com/weber/
...are probably your best bet though.

SKATE RAT · January 08, 2010, 06:41:32 AM

"They are most likely fine and will probably outlive you. Most audiophiles would cringe to know that you have Telefunkens in a... gasp... bass amp."

even more cringe worthy is that they're used in a bass amp to play Punk Rock!

but it is a tone master,it does sound good just noisey.

SKATE RAT · January 08, 2010, 06:59:57 AM

a guy on the Vintage Amp forum suggested switching to KT88's is this a good idea?
also i'd like to learn more about tube amps, is there a book you can recomend?

Psycho Bass Guy · January 10, 2010, 09:20:22 AM

Quote from: SKATE RAT on January 08, 2010, 06:59:57 AM
a guy on the Vintage Amp forum suggested switching to KT88's is this a good idea?

Neither amp you have can run KT88's's without some-heavy-duty mods, and even then, the end result wouldn't be worth the effort.

Quotealso i'd like to learn more about tube amps, is there a book you can recomend?

Dave Funk's (the Thunderfunk guy) The Tube Amp Cookbook is awesome. There are also lots of free online resources, but you'll need more than just entry-level knowledge to take advantage of them. Avoid books by Gerald Weber (Kendrick Amplifiers); he's full of it about a lot of stuff and Dan Torres' books are little better; he recommends lots of unnecessary mods, most of which, are crap. The best thing to do is find a local tech who is knowlegable and willing to teach you. There are things you get from hands-on experience that no amount of book material can cover.

Highlander · January 10, 2010, 12:19:53 PM

I live about 5 miles from where my Hiwatt was born in DR's New Malden garage but there are precious few specialists who work on them here...

The only thing to bear in mind is that messing with the inside of any amp you use is that you use it... I did a lot of electronics work in the 70's but I only repair after seeking advice... Mistakes can be costly, from all perspectives...

That book may be worth checking out though... cheers for that tip PSG

PSG - I know of Mark Huss, re my specialist tips sought, but is there anyone that specialises in Traynor's for Bryan (SK8) ...?

Psycho Bass Guy · January 10, 2010, 05:47:52 PM

Quote from: Kenny Five-O on January 10, 2010, 12:19:53 PM
PSG - I know of Mark Huss, re my specialist tips sought, but is there anyone that specialises in Traynor's for Bryan (SK8) ...?

Traynors are very straightforward, and are basically Marshall copies with better quality parts and build. My first tube amp was a Traynor YBA-1A, and I still have it. I have even played the very rare YBA-3A Super Custom Special, and if I could have afforded it at the time, would own it, too. This is the best resource for Traynor specific info I've found:

http://www.informatik.uni-bremen.de/~dace/vb/models.html

SKATE RAT · January 10, 2010, 07:48:55 PM

thanks guys. Psycho, i'll check that book out. and that guy suggested the kt88's for the Plush.
i'll have my amps worked on by a pro for now, but maybe after i learn a bit more i'll pick up an old project or one of those D.I.Y. kits. we'll see.
BTW my Traynor is 100% and doesn't need anything, it's the Plush and my Ampeg B25 that need the work. i did pick up an Ampeg 16 Ohm 4X12 for $125. so i think i'll fix the Ampeg first.it has no tubes, and who knows what else. plus the Plush does work ok.

Psycho Bass Guy · January 11, 2010, 05:52:47 AM

Quote from: SKATE RAT on January 10, 2010, 07:48:55 PMand that guy suggested the kt88's for the Plush.

He has no idea what he's talking about. If you tried just dropping KT88's in your Plush, if it didn't run away immediately and blow its mains fuse (and probably do some damage) from the bias being too low, it would burn out the heater winding in the power transformer as KT88's draw double the current that 6L6's do.

Highlander · January 11, 2010, 05:55:52 AM

Maybe he's jealous of SK8's find...

SKATE RAT · January 11, 2010, 06:19:37 AM

oh, the Plush isn't a new find. i've had it for 10 years.

Highlander · January 12, 2010, 07:05:59 AM

Hide it...

I've had my '68 Marshall since '82 and my '70 Hiwatt since (I think) '80...

Done a brief search for Dave Funk's book - look's like it's rockin' horse droppin's - any idea of a source anyone...?

rahock · January 12, 2010, 07:16:39 AM

Quote from: Psycho Bass Guy on January 11, 2010, 05:52:47 AM
He has no idea what he's talking about. If you tried just dropping KT88's in your Plush, if it didn't run away immediately and blow its mains fuse (and probably do some damage) from the bias being too low, it would burn out the heater winding in the power transformer as KT88's draw double the current that 6L6's do.

I replaced 6L6s with KT88s years ago in an old Danelctro amp and got away with it, but it ran mighty hot. A couple buddies tried the same mod in other amps and all of them blew their transformers

. I converted back to 6L6s

Rick

OldManC · January 12, 2010, 10:52:29 AM

I did a quick search and came up with a reference for "the Tube Amp Workbook" by Dave Funk. Looks to be pretty pricey at around $60. The exchange rate would do you well in this instance, Ken, and it looks like something you would definitely enjoy.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=KiQ&q=The+Tube+Amp+Cookbook+dave+funk&aq=f&oq=&aqi=