Herbert Tube Issue???

[ttosh]

I got the Herbert today and when I turned her on no power, I found the main fuse was blown. I replaced this fuse and got it to power on. I think there is a bad tube though, its output is pretty much inaudible, the amp crackles really bad when I turn on and one power tube is purple and white and a lightning storm is going on inside of it while the others are glowing orange, also the crackles match up to the tube that is purple and white.

Is it safe to assume the power tube is bad? Is it okay to just throw any EL34 in there to test this theory without biasing etc....

I can post video of the issue if that will help as well.

 

[Ventura]

Definitely BAD tubes. There are 6 sockets in total. Before you throw anything in that one 'bad tube' socket, find its corresponding matched pair side and replace BOTH with either 2 x EL34's or 2 x WVR you have on hand. Preferably matched at that - just for the safety of your internal components. I believe the layout for the Herbert's tube pairs is:

X Y Z Z Y X

Where'd ya get this amp? Who sold it to you? I'm a bit pissed that someone sold you an amp that was obviously hooped when they packed it (dead fuse) and that probably happened when the tube blew... Did this thing go BOOM right when you plugged 'er in and hit RUN? Or was it like this STRAIGHT outta the box? No assumptions here Tim, but that's pretty crummy...

Anyway - my recommendation aside from trying to get to the root of the problem and also have a little chat with the, um, Seller, is a complete bias check, and some new tubes - at least for the pair currently affected - maybe all. Time to get the voltmeter and test everything...best to be safe than sorry.

Peace,
V.

 

[ttosh]

Definitely BAD tubes. There are 6 sockets in total. Before you throw anything in that one 'bad tube' socket, find its corresponding matched pair side and replace BOTH with either 2 x EL34's or 2 x WVR you have on hand. Preferably matched at that - just for the safety of your internal components. I believe the layout for the Herbert's tube pairs is:

X Y Z Z Y X

Where'd ya get this amp? Who sold it to you? I'm a bit pissed that someone sold you an amp that was obviously hooped when they packed it (dead fuse) and that probably happened when the tube blew... Did this thing go BOOM right when you plugged 'er in and hit RUN? Or was it like this STRAIGHT outta the box? No assumptions here Tim, but that's pretty crummy...

Anyway - my recommendation aside from trying to get to the root of the problem and also have a little chat with the, um, Seller, is a complete bias check, and some new tubes - at least for the pair currently affected - maybe all. Time to get the voltmeter and test everything...best to be safe than sorry.

Peace,
V.

The seller is Brad and as we both know he is as good as gold. He already stepped up and told me he would pay for tubes. I think the fuse blew like you said when I first powered up, and the tube probably got jacked in transit. I just want to make sure I do not cause any more damage to the amp as I cannot afford time without an amp at this point. Also to answer your question the fuse blew when I hit run after warming her up. Replaced fuse and I saw the bad tube the second go around after hitting run after a warmup time.

I am thinking of getting 4 new EL34's and 2 6550's and have my friend/tech bias it up for me. I am going to ask Peter if he feels 2 6550's or 4 6550's or all 6 6550's would be best. I do not want to lose the mids of the EL34 and musical aspect they bring, but I know the 6550's rip in this amp as my first one was a of 2 6550's and 4 EL34's and it was great.

Currently the amp has 4 TAD EL34BSTR and 2 Ruby 34BSTR

Thanks for the input bro! I appreciate it!!!

 

[King Guitar]

Definitely BAD tubes. There are 6 sockets in total. Before you throw anything in that one 'bad tube' socket, find its corresponding matched pair side and replace BOTH with either 2 x EL34's or 2 x WVR you have on hand. Preferably matched at that - just for the safety of your internal components. I believe the layout for the Herbert's tube pairs is:

X Y Z Z Y X

Where'd ya get this amp? Who sold it to you? I'm a bit pissed that someone sold you an amp that was obviously hooped when they packed it (dead fuse) and that probably happened when the tube blew... Did this thing go BOOM right when you plugged 'er in and hit RUN? Or was it like this STRAIGHT outta the box? No assumptions here Tim, but that's pretty crummy...

Anyway - my recommendation aside from trying to get to the root of the problem and also have a little chat with the, um, Seller, is a complete bias check, and some new tubes - at least for the pair currently affected - maybe all. Time to get the voltmeter and test everything...best to be safe than sorry.

Peace,
V.

Settle down now , I sold him the amp, it was perfect when it left and tested by me before it went in the original box to ship. This is not the first power tube to get bumped on the UPS Nantucket Sleigh ride. I have already told Tim I would buy him a new set of EL34s to get him going, it was unintentional and comes under the Sh*t Happens category. The amp is a killer and will be fine with a new set of EL34's.

 

[ttosh]

Another question to add to this topic. I tried to remove the fuse for tubes 2 & 5 and it was tough to get the black holder to come out and when I did the fuse is stuck in the socket. What is the best way to remove?

 

[King Guitar]

Tim,

Just take it to your buddy the tech and have him drop a set of new tubes in it and bias it and have him call me with the bill. No worries I want you up and running and rocking sooner than later. This is supposed to be fun and I will make sure you are having fun!

 

[stephen sawall]

This is not the first power tube to get bumped on the UPS Nantucket Sleigh ride.

I like your phrasing

 

[Ventura]

Definitely BAD tubes. There are 6 sockets in total. Before you throw anything in that one 'bad tube' socket, find its corresponding matched pair side and replace BOTH with either 2 x EL34's or 2 x WVR you have on hand. Preferably matched at that - just for the safety of your internal components. I believe the layout for the Herbert's tube pairs is:

X Y Z Z Y X

Where'd ya get this amp? Who sold it to you? I'm a bit pissed that someone sold you an amp that was obviously hooped when they packed it (dead fuse) and that probably happened when the tube blew... Did this thing go BOOM right when you plugged 'er in and hit RUN? Or was it like this STRAIGHT outta the box? No assumptions here Tim, but that's pretty crummy...

Anyway - my recommendation aside from trying to get to the root of the problem and also have a little chat with the, um, Seller, is a complete bias check, and some new tubes - at least for the pair currently affected - maybe all. Time to get the voltmeter and test everything...best to be safe than sorry.

Peace,
V.

Settle down now , I sold him the amp, it was perfect when it left and tested by me before it went in the original box to ship. This is not the first power tube to get bumped on the UPS Nantucket Sleigh ride. I have already told Tim I would buy him a new set of EL34s to get him going, it was unintentional and comes under the Sh*t Happens category. The amp is a killer and will be fine with a new set of EL34's.

Hey Man, there was no bad blood, or even any bad ju-ju pointed at you... Tim fired me an email immediately after he saw trouble with the head and kept the "Seller" anonymous from me at that time. Within about 5 or 6 PM's, and knowing then that you were the Seller, and how you'd stepped up to the plate, and how Tim executed the unpack, warm up, and then Standby to Run on ZERO volume; I along with Tim, concurred this was another example of UPS Nuntucket Sleighride collateral damage. I wasn't dis'ing ya Brad - I was just reacting to the "first regimen of information" Tim sent me. After a couple back'n'forths, we got it solved.

Not to say I wouldn't bad talk ya given a justified reason, ya just haven't given me any reason to do that thus far

We're solid! So when the dust settles, let us know how you like the 20thA Brad... I'm sure a lot of us would like to know your thoughts.

Peace,
Mojo

 

[PaulyPanacea]

IDK bout you guys but i throw tubes from my roof and they get put in an amp & work great!!

 

[ttosh]

IDK bout you guys but i throw tubes from my roof and they get put in an amp & work great!!

Let me try that

 

[Ventura]

IDK bout you guys but i throw tubes from my roof and they get put in an amp & work great!!

Let me try that

Isn't that the "Ruby Method" of burn-in?

V.

 

[PaulyPanacea]

acutally i put them in a fire that i started with some Mesa amps i had lying around

 

[Ventura]

acutally i put them in a fire that i started with some Mesa amps i had lying around

Pauly!!! What a WASTE!!!! Mesa's make awesome child booster seats for cars as well as excellent work bench extensions... I know with the right antique paint, they can also make a terrific, festive door stopper for the country style home

V.

 

[Peter Diezel]

You bastards

 

[nbarts]

IDK bout you guys but i throw tubes from my roof and they get put in an amp & work great!!