Ask Amp Tech Expert Skip Simmons

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

Does it hurt anything down the road to run a push-pull fixed bias amp with one tube pulled for a long time? 5F6A in my case.....

Also, if it's okay to do, then would there be a better tube to run this way in a 6L6 amp for a better impedance match........

Skip: I have a Kalamazoo 2 that has a hum. I was reading your other post and you were saying this might be normal. Dave Barrett played my amp and said it needed to be fixed. The thing that's interesting to me is I can give it a tap and the hum will stop. Do you have any advice? I live in San Jose, CA... if this an be fixed I'm thinking I'd drive it to the Delta to have you work on it.

Skip: I have a Masco that you did which I bought from Fritz. I'm wondering if a Kinder Anti Feedback pedal would hinder the tone on this PA? I have some friends that have used them but they don't live close by to where I could try it.

Hi,

I have a Gretshe G5222 which I feel sounds good practicing in my bedroom. Will I get alot more bottom from a larger
amp like the cruncher without turning the volume up where it blows me out of my bedroom. :)

Can you get a comparible bottom end with a smaller amp? I am not looking for something I would take out to Gig but still want the
best tone.

Thanks
528hemi

Skip,
I have a Harp King 6x10 with KT 90 power tubes. What is the best source for these? The 4x10 HK uses KT88 tubes and I have seen them available more often - can they be used instead. I would just ask John Kinder, but he sometimes is difficult to contact.
I also have a reissue Bassman - what tube placement works best for harp - it is not used for guitar. This site is so helpful - esp with guys like you on it.

Hello Skip,

Thanks for your help in advance!

Is the slight hum I hear out of my Kzoo Rev 12 a characteristic of the amp or not ? Is it an expensive fix?

I am looking to sell it.

Thanks
Hanrmonica Hankb

Hello, Skip, and thanks for being here.
This must be a question that most people know the answer to, since I haven't heard anyone ask, but...
I know that the capacitors in amps, particularly in tube amps, can store some dangerous current after the amp is unplugged. So naturally I'm worried about absorbing some of that If I'm fooling around in the amp, changing tubes, checking connections, cleaning out the dust bunnies, etc. Is there a safe way to discharge things, or at least the killer ones, before sticking my hands in there?

Thanks

Hi Skip,

Is this a good candidate for a small harp amp ?
Tubes are 6SJ7 (2), 6J5,6N7, 6L6 (2), 5U4G

Thanks,
Wendell

Great to have you on the BluesHarmonica.com team Skip!