caps and tubes

John Robel · Post by **John Robel** » 1 Jan 2002 9:38 pm

My old faithfull 63 twin needs new capacitors and tubes. Any good retro supply houses? I am skilled with a soldering iron. Thanks,John

Tim Rowley · Post by **Tim Rowley** » 1 Jan 2002 9:58 pm

You live in a fairly good-sized community. You should be able to grab a copy of Vintage Guitar magazine. They list ads from many of the best-known parts suppliers for vintage tube amps. You can order by phone or on the net and receive the stuff within a few days. Everybody seems to think they need vintage Raytheon, RCA, or Westinghouse tubes but the currently available Ruby Tubes, SovTek, or Peavey tubes work just fine. Remember to adjust the bias on the output tubes, and for pete's sake make sure you discharge those caps before you start poking around in there!

Happy soldering,
Tim R.

Bruce Derr · Post by **Bruce Derr** » 2 Jan 2002 7:45 am

The Atom electrolytic caps made by Vishay Sprague are generally considered to be the best replacements for Fender tube amps. The best place to get them is Mouser Electronics (mouser.com). Their prices are lowest and the service is good.

The Fender Discussion Page (fenderforum.com) is a good place to find info on tubes. There is a lot of discussion about what types are best, etc, and also links to places that sell new and new old stock tubes.

I haven't tried any of the new production tubes, but here are some recommendations I've picked up from the FDP:

6L6: Svetlana or JJ Tesla
12AX7A/7025: JJ Tesla
12AT7: I don't recall any raves for new production 12AT7s, but any decent NOS unit should be good (GE, Sylvania, Mullard, Telefunken, etc.).

As usual, it's best to rebias the power tubes after changing them.

Hope this is helpful. I'll bet that amp is a beauty!

Michael Brebes · Post by **Michael Brebes** » 2 Jan 2002 7:57 am

Two sources on the web you can try is www.mojotone.com and Antique Electronics in AZ (I can't remember their URL but you should be able to do a search and locate it pretty easy).

Blake Hawkins · Post by **Blake Hawkins** » 2 Jan 2002 10:10 am

Antique Electronics is:
www.tubesandmore.com

Dennis Lobdell · Post by **Dennis Lobdell** » 2 Jan 2002 10:24 am

Hi John: Check with fellow forumite Ken Fox.
Dennis

Danny Hullihen · Post by **Danny Hullihen** » 2 Jan 2002 1:25 pm

John. Ken Fox is a real "ace" on these things, and you might want to consider sending him your chassis. Ken has worked on a couple of my old Fender Twins, and the sound has never been better, especially if you're looking for very clean sounding, and no his or hum.

John Knight · Post by **John Knight** » 2 Jan 2002 3:51 pm

This is a good online source for us west coasters. http://www.vibroworld.com/ Zach has always treated me well.

------------------
D 10 Thomas with 8&6
Nashville 400 and Profex II
Asleep at the Steel

Ken Fox · Post by **Ken Fox** » 3 Jan 2002 10:46 am

John,
Mouser does have the best prices I have found on Sprague/Atom caps. If you want NOS tubes, try Roundup Electronics, in Pendleton Oregon. Avoid Chinese preamp tubes, no tone at all, very thin. The 6L6GC, Svetlana (Russian) tubes are rated at 22.5 Watt MPD, as opposed to NOS GE, Sylvania, and RCA at 30 watts. If your Twin is 100 or 135 watts, I would recommend NOS tubes (for max power output). Just type in "Roundup Electronics" in your seach engine. If you need a hand or advise, I'm just down in Battle Ground,Wa. Email me if you want.

John Robel · Post by **John Robel** » 3 Jan 2002 9:11 pm

Thanks guys for the info. I retubed the ole booger several years ago with sovtec stuff I bought from New Sensor Corp,(5881's I think) and it has worked well until recently, I unplugged the nashville 400 and plugged the p-p into the twin. It started to sound scratchy like a bum cord and upon looking it smelled hot and a power tube was glowing! As for discharging capacitors, I am a mechanic by trade and a favorite trick of the guy I broke in under 30 years ago,was to charge an ignition condenser and with a toss say "hey catch!!" It only took once! Thanks again, John