New tubes for my amp
Hi,
I got a 12 year old tube amp (Laney LC 15) and I have thought about buying new tubes ..... I think of the original ones, but I have also felt tempted to buy different ones (if possible) and see how it works, but there seems to be many possibilities and I am lost.... some options might be better for this combo right??.... any help/recommendation is really welcome...
Thank you
Claudio
Thanks Skip, I really appreciate your help... I will try to get one of those tubes you mention and will let you know about it works..(count on that!!).....
It is true, it is not the best amp for harp.... but here where I live (Los Negros, Chile....waaaay down the south ) it is really hard to find gear in general ..... and this is all I got.
Thanks again....
Hugs from Northen Patagonia.
Hi Skip.... I finally got a couple of those tubes you recommended me and replaced just one in the amp..... the one on the left (closer to the bigger ones) and............... it doesn´t "turn red"... not even get warm... is this normal? then took the same tube and put it in the left side and the amp didn´t even sound.....
When I replaced it first (left side) the sound changed a lot........way cleaner but I had the impression that the tube was not working..... and it was the rest of the tubes that were making my amp sound....
Hugs from Patagonia
Claudio
Hello Claudio- If the amp is working, then the tube is working. It can take a while for a preamp tube to feel hot, and some preamp tubes are difficult to see if they are "lighting up". However, you mentioned that with one of the new tubes installed, the amp would not work at all. This would seem to me to be a bad tube. One more thing....be VERY careful when installing or removing the tubes. The tube sockets on many new amps are fragile AND it is very easy to bend the pins of the tube. Be sure to check the pins of the tube before installing to make sure they are not bent. They can be carefully straightened with needle-nose pliers if they are bent.
If the new tube brings the volume of the amp down a lot, that is good. Play it for a while and see what you think.
Skip
I used to play through a Laney LC15 many years ago. It wasn't too bad as a harp amp, although it wasn't a great amp either. I ran it stock (with no tube subs or mods at all).
If I recall correctly my settings were: Gain - 3-5, Master Volume - 5-6, Bass - 6, Middle - 3-4, Treble - 0. I always kept the boost button off and went into the "Hi" input. I used a JT30 with MC151 element and sometimes a Boss DD3 as well. When gigging i used the line out to the PA.
You can hear it here: http://www.harmonicaspace.com/profile.php?profileid=178
Those recordings on my profile there are the Laney LC15. The tracks using it are "PPH Boogie" and "PIg Squealers Boogie"
Hello Claudio- Thanks for writing! Basically, you have an amp that was made for guitar, not for a microphone, but if you can get a pleasing sound out of it the way it is now, then play it and enjoy it. I would suggest that you buy ONE new 12AU7 tube and try it it in place of one of the original 12AX7 tubes. This tube will bring the gain of the amp down and make it easier to play without feedback. You can substitute the the new tube for any of the original ones..... let your ears be your guide, and give us all a report on how it worked for you.
Skip Simmons
Skip Simmons Amp Repair