I’ve had my Lazy J J20 for five years now and never changed the stock valves. It hasn’t been gigged much, maybe 6-7 times a year, but it has been played loudly at home a lot. It still sounds good but I’m wondering if like with a dull set of strings I’m losing something by not having refreshed the valves after all this time.
So, would you say I’m overdue a valve change and should see a tonal improvement?
How often do you change your amp’s valves?
How do you know they are due a change in lieu of an obvious fault?
Would you suggest a complete valve refit or just the power valves?
Comments
As for the preamp valves, they shouldn’t need changing unless you’re having problems. Might be useful to see what brand they are though, just in case there might be room for improvement.
Not a bad idea but FCS do something nobody ever does! RECORD the amp as is. Play a few licks of various types and genres THEN fit the new valves (might need a re-bias?) record in the same setup.
Ok, not a double blind test by any stretch but a bit of disciplined listening should tell you if the valves have made any difference. Employ the ears of a friend as well.
My feeling is there will be little if any change. BTW just buy ONE decent ECC83 and try it in various positions, pre amp valves last decades but can eventually get noisy or microphonic.
Dave.
Not a bad idea but FCS do something nobody ever does! RECORD the amp as is. Play a few licks of various types and genres THEN fit the new valves (might need a re-bias?) record in the same setup.
Ok, not a double blind test by any stretch but a bit of disciplined listening should tell you if the valves have made any difference. Employ the ears of a friend as well.
My feeling is there will be little if any change. BTW just buy ONE decent ECC83 and try it in various positions, pre amp valves last decades but can eventually get noisy or microphonic.
Dave.
theres a guy called valvetubeguitaramps.com who will match all the valves for you, bring back the sparkle !