GUITAR BOARD

I have a very nice sounding Laney combo, but it has developed an annoying
hum. A little bit of research suggests it is likely to be a pre-amp
valve, and I see that it uses two types of ECC83 - 1 x hi-grade, and 2 x
standard.

Ive found loads of places to actually buy valves from (Watford Valves
looks like it has the best website) but none seem to differentiate
between grades.

Can anyone make any suggestions on where to look for further information
or even recommendations at to what valves to buy ;-).

Im looking for a warm/bright sound, with plenty of clean headroom. I
like the just breaking up sound when I dig in, or turn the volume up on
the guitar, but buckets of mushy fizz are really not my thing.

--
David Haggett
Linux user since 01/01/2003
Email: davidhaggettdemoncouk

On Mon, 24 Dec 2007 12:57:52 +0000 (UTC), David Haggett
wrote:


Where are you? If youre in the West country theres a couple of
tecchies in Bristol who can give you exactly what you want.

I also go for the sound you describe - just breaking up, but not fuzzy
- Im always looking for the guitar to talk to the amp, rather than
having the amp talking back.

Years ago, I had an amazing Laney (a session 40) which could give me
anything I wanted. For the time (1982) it was completely daft - 3
pre-amps and a trannie amp. I only ditched it when the speaker went
and realised the replacement would be more expensive than what I spent
on the amp (about Ł150).

Your problem is not where to buy valves (theyre not exactly rocket
science to swap out), but finding someone who knows how they behave
and what will give you what you want.

Pete

On Mon, 24 Dec 2007 14:02:35 +0000, anything wrote:

Im no longer in the West Country, so Bristol is just a little too far to
travel. I am sure there are local amp techs, though if I wanted to go
that route.



I sort-of agree about finding someone who knows, although exactly
*because* changing valves is not rocket science, Im not sure its worth
taking it to a tech, if I can get advice from folks around here.

If all else fails, Ill try talking to the guys at Watford Valves, or get
exact replacements from TAD. If changing the valves dont fix the hum,
*then* Ill take it to a tech.
--
David Haggett
Linux user since 01/01/2003
Email: davidhaggettdemoncouk

David Haggett wrote in
news:fkpcj8$q7k$2$8302bc10@news.demon.co.uk:


Thats your first port of call. Theyre very helpful.

On 25-Dec-2007, soupdragon wrote:


Are they? They never replied to either of my emails asking for their
recommendations. Perhaps its a phone only thing, but thats difficult when
Im at work.

-Mike.

--
Replace NOSPAM with eviheeb to reply

On Wed, 26 Dec 2007 16:01:08 +0000, Mike Slade wrote:


Ill phone them when they get back to work on 7th January - luckily for
me I get a lunch break *and* own a mobile phone so its not a problem for
me.

--
David Haggett
Linux user since 01/01/2003
Email: davidhaggettdemoncouk

On 28-Dec-2007, David Haggett wrote:


Good point, well made. But I figure Id need to have all the tube reference
data in front of me as well as my amps tube usage chart to have a meaningful
dialog - which isnt easy in the carpark! And anyway, if my boss spots me
sneaking off to use my mobile hell assume I looking for a new job ;-)

And a happy New Year to you too.

-Mike.

--
Replace NOSPAM with eviheeb to reply

On Fri, 28 Dec 2007 16:57:16 +0000, Mike Slade wrote:


Oh I sincerely hope my conversation is going to be far less technical
than that. Im not electronically minded in the slightest, and of course
I just want to replace the existing valves.


I feel for you, I honestly do. I have worked for very draconian
companies with completely unreasonable policies. Sometimes it does some
good to keep them a little paranoid.


Sincerely, to you too. And good luck in your job hunting ;-)

--
David Haggett
Linux user since 01/01/2003
Email: davidhaggettdemoncouk