M4 tube life..

K

Klark

Member
I'm noticing some dullness, some light squishing, and a decrease in gain & volume. What's the tube life on those tubes in the back of my M4 ?? And what value/brand are they?

I play quite a bit, probably 3+ hours a day. I should also probably look into changing my 2/50/2 tubes as well..
 
Klark":3dssvuog said:
I'm noticing some dullness, some light squishing, and a decrease in gain & volume. What's the tube life on those tubes in the back of my M4 ?? And what value/brand are they?

I play quite a bit, probably 3+ hours a day. I should also probably look into changing my 2/50/2 tubes as well..
Click to expand...
Not quite sure but 12ax7s can last a long time or just go,but I've had the same pair in my M4 for a couple years but have changed the ones in my RT2/50 once and power tubes a couple of times,not that they went bad just a different brand.
 
Depends:

sometimes, tubes sound consistent throughout their lives. sometimes not.


try something else in there, and see how it sounds. Don't forget a flashlight. :aww:
 
I really wish someone from the Egnater would reply and answer my questions..

Besides the module tubes, exactly which tubes are stock in the M4? I need order them immediately. And since my rack is buried in a trailer, I can't pull the tubes to see what they are before I have to gig with the rack again on Sunday.
 
Klark":621ckgeo said:
I really wish someone from the Egnater would reply and answer my questions..

Besides the module tubes, exactly which tubes are stock in the M4? I need order them immediately. And since my rack is buried in a trailer, I can't pull the tubes to see what they are before I have to gig with the rack again on Sunday.
Click to expand...

They stick tested SOVTEK 12AX7A's in both spots.
 
I do not have a M4 (yet). Preamp tubes can last a long time. Word is forever. But like all things they well change with time. Like other have said ..... you can change them to find different colors.

Old power tubes life's lasted a lot longer. I know people who have been using the same tubes for more than 30 years. They claim to use them at bar jams every week and others are always amazed to hear how old they are. Some of the best sounding tubes I own have more than 15 years of use. They do not sound like they did when I got them. But they sound better than anything else I have tried in some amps. Something to do with the quality of steal since WWII going down hill ? The newer tubes tend to loose there life a lot faster. They loose there punch and start to sound dull. I think it is good idea to have some spares around anyway. I have been collecting tubes for 38 years. I have around $5000 last time I added up there value.

Many have said pre are worth buying NOS and not power. But some say the other way.
.....I have found some tubes just sound better in some amps. As in there is no Holy Grail.

Often the tubes that amp was designed around are the best sounding tube for that amp.
It is only a matter of taste.
 
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