Any point in replacing tubes??

[Lev]

I've owned a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe for about 10 years now and have never even taken the back cover off to take a look. This amp has gigged about twice in it's life and for the most part gets played at bedroom volumes. This is a very LOUD amp so bedroom volume is about 1.

Recently I've been thinking about changing the tubes and from the research I've done I believe a tube swap could drastically improve the sound. However I'm wondering whether it's worth putting the work in if I'm only playing at low volume 99% of the time. Correct me if I'm wrong but replacing tubes will only alter the point at which the break-up kicks-in, so I may hear very little difference if I play at low volume?

It may however improve the drive channel on the amp which is pretty useless at the moment.

Any inputs would be appreciated..

 

[Tone2TheBone]

10 years? Constant low volume playing? Change the tubes and rebias anyway but it probably doesn't need it. The J&J tubes are a hot item right now, just got my Marshall retubed with some. I play at home...loud...and the change of tubes made a big difference in gain response and tone.

 

[Spudman]

If you have only been using one channel all that time you can try just rotating the tubes. Pull one and then move the others down the line and plug the pulled one into the last spot after you have moved each tube down one spot.

Otherwise, if you aren't gigging or recording and don't NEED to upgrade because something is sounding really bad, then don't worry about it and keep on playing until you hear a weakness, rattle, hum or micro-phonics coming from the amph. Save the $ for other things.

 

[M29]

Hello Lev,

Hey I just got a Hot Rod Deluxe today. It is used but I love it so far. Here are a couple shots with the back off so you won't have to take yours off.

http://www.qix.net/~lmjbo/hrd4.jpg

http://www.qix.net/~lmjbo/hrd5.jpg

http://www.qix.net/~lmjbo/hrd6.jpg

M29

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Hey M29, Congrats on the new amph!! Bet you'll love it! Let's see some more pics, including the front!

 

[Lev]

Thank guys and that's an excellent idea Spud to rotate the tubes.