My Amp Is Smokin'

[ShortBuSX]

You can get it at any Autozone or Disount Auto...they sell another version at Radio Shack(and the like) Im sure...but its got a green label instead of red...but Id try the auto stores, its a sure thing there.

PS, I can totally relate with the humidity issues...it gets into everything...its even worse on the coast near the beaches.

 

[ShortBuSX]

OK, Shortbus............................

I failed to mention that I do component level bench work on the avionics that I work - much more complex than any guitar amp ever dreamed to be. I'm intimately familiar with electronics and everything that goes along with it. It's what I do for a living. I am a professional electronics tech! Do I make myself clear?

Avionics work involves a degree of precision and diligence only surpassed by the space program. When I do my job wrong, people die.

Roll your eyes all you want, man........................

So in your professional opinion...a guy who sprays a spray lube contact cleaner on his tube pins should do what? Let it burn off or clean the lube off the contacts?

And then whats your opinion of replaceing tubes that arent broken? Tube a tube?

Im really not trying to be a smart ***...its just your professional opinon is vague and jaded. I still cant believe you said "if it aint broke dont fix it."

 

[warren0728]

You can get it at any Autozone or Disount Auto...they sell another version at Radio Shack(and the like) Im sure...but its got a green label instead of red...but Id try the auto stores, its a sure thing there.

PS, I can totally relate with the humidity issues...it gets into everything...its even worse on the coast near the beaches.

cool...i'll get some this weekend...

as far as humidity...nothing like going out on the back porch at midnight during the summer and it is still 90 degrees with 95% humidity...but at least i don't have to shovel snow!!

thanks to everyone who has helped out. I think i will get some non-lubricated cleaner and clean everything again...

ww

 

[ShortBuSX]

BTW what part of central Florida? Im in the Cocoa area...Brevard.

 

[Plank_Spanker]

So in your professional opinion...a guy who sprays a spray lube contact cleaner on his tube pins should do what? Let it burn off or clean the lube off the contacts?

And then whats your opinion of replaceing tubes that arent broken? Tube a tube?

Im really not trying to be a smart ***...its just your professional opinon is vague and jaded. I still cant believe you said "if it aint broke dont fix it."

I'll venture a guess that you're not an electronics tech. I don't see my opinion as vague at all.

To answer your burning questions:

>Yes - just let the the lube burn off. If the amp keeps chugging along, it's all good

>Replacing tubes that aren't broken - Tubes wear out. It's a fact of tube life. Replace as needed.

>If it ain't broke, don't fix it - I'll stand by this to my dying breath. Don't dig into an amp to be kind unless it needs it - clean dirty, scratchy pots, replace tubes and rebias as needed. Cleaning tube sockets falls into the "rarely needed" category

>My opinion is vague and jaded - Not at all. My opinion is founded on 27 years as an electronics tech..................I might give you "jaded", but I won't concede "vague"

 

[Robert]

Hey, don't we all want a SMOKIN' amp!?

 

[Spudman]

Try the CRC I mentioned previously...its dirt cheap and youll use it over and over again on a multitude of different projects.

BTW I first came across the stuff cleaning my K&N oiled MAF sensor...itll remove the oils and dry quickly.

If you spay a wasp with CRC it's wings dissolve. Don't ask me how I know.
I've used it a lot as well and have found many guitar/amp related situations that I believe Deoxit is a better solution.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

If you spay a wasp with CRC it's wings dissolve. Don't ask me how I know.
I've used it a lot as well and have found many guitar/amp related situations that I believe Deoxit is a better solution.

Hey, we both live in bug ridden Idaho. I know. . .

 

[warren0728]

ok....what is the difference between crc and deoxit?

yes robert...i always wanted a smokin' amp...but not like this!

shortbus....i'm a little north of orlando....seminole county

ww

 

[ShortBuSX]

I'll venture a guess that you're not an electronics tech. I don't see my opinion as vague at all.

Youve got me there...Im not an electrician nor an engineer...although Ive meet several who couldnt tell you differences between a tone pot and a volume pot...so excuse me if I dont take everything a "pro" says as gospel.

I also know dozens of electricians that think wire nuts are acceptable...so once again excuse me if I dont really care what a pro has to say about EVERYTHING.

I find that just because a guy works with electricity at his job, they do it a certain way(to cut corners and cost) that the whole world should did it that way all the time...when in fact that many might suggest cleaning the contacts on new electronics such as tubes(although Ive never heard of it.

To answer your burning questions:

>Yes - just let the the lube burn off. If the amp keeps chugging along, it's all good

So what if it catches fire tomarrow? Then what? Were you wrong?
Do you not think it likely that oil would cause the tube to break?
I know that oils on halogen bulbs are detrimental...and I didnt even have to learn ohms law to learn that one!

>Replacing tubes that aren't broken - Tubes wear out. It's a fact of tube life. Replace as needed.

So there is no tonal value to be gained by trying different tubes???

>If it ain't broke, don't fix it - I'll stand by this to my dying breath. Don't dig into an amp to be kind unless it needs it - clean dirty, scratchy pots, replace tubes and rebias as needed. Cleaning tube sockets falls into the "rarely needed" category

So how do you know if an amp "needs it" without diggin into it? Mine is entirely covered. Flip the switch...it works? I guess adding a ground to an old vintage amp is a waste of time too, eh?

>My opinion is vague and jaded - Not at all. My opinion is founded on 27 years as an electronics tech..................I might give you "jaded", but I won't concede "vague"

Yeah, Id say 27 years would make you jaded...and I will take back vague and substite it with condescending, and if it werent for that then I might not have enguaged in this debate.

and I really love this quote:

Sally forth with your contact cleaner on dirty, scratchy pots and intermittent switches.

But smoking tubes should be ignored?
"Sally forth"? Who talks like that? You gotta know how condescending that is?

 

[duhvoodooman]

Truce, huh guys? This is the kind of forum sparring that is so common on other sites and which we enjoy not having much of here at TheFret. Give it a rest, OK?

 

[ShortBuSX]

Okay *shrug* ...so then what would everybody else do about the smoking tube?

 

[oldguy]

Since this particular instance seems to have resolved itself, I would re-read post #41 and move on. Just my opinion.

 

[tot_Ou_tard]

Okay *shrug* ...so then what would everybody else do about the smoking tube?

Good question.

Me I'd ask The Fret, as Warren did.

What I've learned so far.

1) Don't lube yer tube or it'll smoke.

2) Plank works as an avionics electrician. Way coool!

Up for grabs:

If you did lube your tube should you clean up after yourself or leave it be & let it smoke off.

If it were my tube & I had some nonlubricating cleaner, I'd probably try to clean it off & I would never, ever try to clean a tube unless it needed it again.

But that's just me.

 

[ted s]

If it makes a person feel better, what about cleaning again with a cleaner that leaves no residue ?

 

[warren0728]

just a quick update....i got some crc non-lubricant cleaner today and took the tubes out and cleaned the pins and the sockets...eliminated most of the smokin' (there is probably a little lube residue left) but at least i don't have to try and play and hold my nose at the same time now!! R :R R :R

ww

 

[tot_Ou_tard]

just a quick update....i got some crc non-lubricant cleaner today and took the tubes out and cleaned the pins and the sockets...eliminated most of the smokin' (there is probably a little lube residue left) but at least i don't have to try and play and hold my nose at the same time now!! R :R R :R

ww

Hot D@mn!

I hope the BBQ is ready.


...I was gonna say pulled pork, but with *THIS* crowd...

 

[Plank_Spanker]

Youve got me there...Im not an electrician nor an engineer...although Ive meet several who couldnt tell you differences between a tone pot and a volume pot...so excuse me if I dont take everything a "pro" says as gospel.

I also know dozens of electricians that think wire nuts are acceptable...so once again excuse me if I dont really care what a pro has to say about EVERYTHING.

I find that just because a guy works with electricity at his job, they do it a certain way(to cut corners and cost) that the whole world should did it that way all the time...when in fact that many might suggest cleaning the contacts on new electronics such as tubes(although Ive never heard of it.



So what if it catches fire tomarrow? Then what? Were you wrong?
Do you not think it likely that oil would cause the tube to break?
I know that oils on halogen bulbs are detrimental...and I didnt even have to learn ohms law to learn that one!



So there is no tonal value to be gained by trying different tubes???



So how do you know if an amp "needs it" without diggin into it? Mine is entirely covered. Flip the switch...it works? I guess adding a ground to an old vintage amp is a waste of time too, eh?



Yeah, Id say 27 years would make you jaded...and I will take back vague and substite it with condescending, and if it werent for that then I might not have enguaged in this debate.

and I really love this quote:


But smoking tubes should be ignored?
"Sally forth"? Who talks like that? You gotta know how condescending that is?

I stand before you all to issue an apology. I'll admit that I do get "preachy" from time to time. My bad. I never meant to come across as condescending, and I certainly don't have all of the answers. My replies and posts are based on my experiences. I'll not type a word unless I'm vested in the subject in one way or another.

ShortBus,

Truce?

 

[tot_Ou_tard]

I stand before you all to issue an apology. I'll admit that I do get "preachy" from time to time. My bad. I never meant to come across as condescending, and I certainly don't have all of the answers. My replies and posts are based on my experiences. I'll not type a word unless I'm vested in the subject in one way or another.

ShortBus,

Truce?

Can we call ya' Preach?

We love ya here Plank & the above only cements those feelings.

It didn't come across as preachy t'me, but, of course, ShortBus is allowed his own opinion.

 

[Plank_Spanker]

Can we call ya' Preach?

I'll stick with "Planky, Spanky", or any variation. Thanks, tot!

 

[Spudman]

ShortBus,

Truce?

I just love it when grown men kiss and make up. Can you say Brokeback Forum? LOL

My hat is off to you Planky. It takes cajones to open like that. That's why I love this place. Everyone is just cool!

 

[sunvalleylaw]

I agree with Spud. Well done. But please feel free to post whether you feel vested or not in a topic. I know I benefit from your posts.

 

[duhvoodooman]

Classy, dude! R

 

[ted s]

sniff, sniff, I luv you guys man

 

[Tone2TheBone]

And don't be spraying anything else into any of your amphs anymore Warren look at all the trouble it started.....

 

[warren0728]

me start trouble...why that's unusual!! R

ww

 

[Lev]

All's well that ends well - who knew that Warren's lube could bring everyone closer together?

 

[duhvoodooman]

And don't be spraying anything else into any of your amphs anymore Warren look at all the trouble it started.....

At least it wasn't maple syrup....

 

[warren0728]

All's well that ends well - who knew that Warren's lube could bring everyone closer together?

At least it wasn't maple syrup....

LMAO....you guys are funny!!

ww

 

[ShortBuSX]

just a quick update....i got some crc non-lubricant cleaner today and took the tubes out and cleaned the pins and the sockets...eliminated most of the smokin' (there is probably a little lube residue left) but at least i don't have to try and play and hold my nose at the same time now!! R :R R :R

ww

Im glad it worked out for you...youll find youll use that cleaner on tons of stuff. I find myself buying replacement cans before they run out.

I stand before you all to issue an apology. I'll admit that I do get "preachy" from time to time. My bad. I never meant to come across as condescending, and I certainly don't have all of the answers. My replies and posts are based on my experiences. I'll not type a word unless I'm vested in the subject in one way or another.

ShortBus,

Truce?

Sure, but I didnt have any kinda beef with you in the first place...just a difference of opinion.

In my professional life(not as an elcetrician), Ive found there are multiple ways of doing just about any given task...and no way is really wrong, so long as the results are on par.