Members mparsons Posted June 15, 2008 Members Share Posted June 15, 2008 It's microphonic and bad, right? The tubes I ordered from Doug are already microphonic. I think I've had them for two weeks. Is this normal? Or should I be contacting him for a replacement? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members thinkpad20 Posted June 15, 2008 Members Share Posted June 15, 2008 If indeed it is microphonic, it definitely is not normal after two weeks. I'd give him a call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ENdtime Posted June 15, 2008 Members Share Posted June 15, 2008 It's microphonic and bad, right?The tubes I ordered from Doug are already microphonic. I think I've had them for two weeks. Is this normal? Or should I be contacting him for a replacement? no, you are wrong! Man so many people are misinformed about this.. The tube will make noise when you hit it. Stop doing that!!! hahaThe tube is microphonic if it continues to oscillate after you tap the tube. I.E- Feedback.. If the tube does not feedback after tapping it, but you hear the noise of you hitting the tube, then its fine.. The tube is AMPLIFYING the sound. The best way to find out if a tube is microphonic to the point of replacement is to turn your amp all the way up(or as loud as you will ever play it), play a few big chords or whatever then turn off your guitar.. Does it start to feedback? If not, you are fine.. If it does start to oscillate/feedback, try a new tube, or switch this tube to a different slot... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members zehn Posted June 15, 2008 Members Share Posted June 15, 2008 Tapping and getting noise is totally common and fine IIRC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mparsons Posted June 15, 2008 Author Members Share Posted June 15, 2008 When I plug the guitar straight into the power amp and crank it I can hear the tube rattling through the speakers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ENdtime Posted June 15, 2008 Members Share Posted June 15, 2008 When I plug the guitar straight into the power amp and crank it I can hear the tube rattling through the speakers So you are talking about the power tubes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mparsons Posted June 15, 2008 Author Members Share Posted June 15, 2008 Only the preamp tubes make any noise when tapped. They make a rattling noise. When I'm playing the amp loud, I can hear the tubes rattling around when I'm playing the guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tlbonehead Posted June 15, 2008 Members Share Posted June 15, 2008 no, you are wrong!Man so many people are misinformed about this..The tube will make noise when you hit it. Stop doing that!!! hahaThe tube is microphonic if it continues to oscillate after you tap the tube. I.E- Feedback.. If the tube does not feedback after tapping it, but you hear the noise of you hitting the tube, then its fine.. The tube is AMPLIFYING the sound. The best way to find out if a tube is microphonic to the point of replacement is to turn your amp all the way up(or as loud as you will ever play it), play a few big chords or whatever then turn off your guitar.. Does it start to feedback? If not, you are fine.. If it does start to oscillate/feedback, try a new tube, or switch this tube to a different slot...If it just makes a really harsh glassy sound when you tap it, it can be a bit microphonic. Byt, they should make noise, with the first ones in the chain being louder ordinarily. And use a pencil or something not quite as hard. And gently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Erock503 Posted June 15, 2008 Members Share Posted June 15, 2008 no, you are wrong!Man so many people are misinformed about this..The tube will make noise when you hit it. Stop doing that!!! hahaThe tube is microphonic if it continues to oscillate after you tap the tube. I.E- Feedback.. If the tube does not feedback after tapping it, but you hear the noise of you hitting the tube, then its fine.. The tube is AMPLIFYING the sound. The best way to find out if a tube is microphonic to the point of replacement is to turn your amp all the way up(or as loud as you will ever play it), play a few big chords or whatever then turn off your guitar.. Does it start to feedback? If not, you are fine.. If it does start to oscillate/feedback, try a new tube, or switch this tube to a different slot... +1, power tubes are the only ones that shouldn't make any noise when lightly tapped. Preamp tubes will make noise, especially the input tube. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members EdgeOfDarkness Posted June 15, 2008 Members Share Posted June 15, 2008 they could be vibrating..what amp is it ?I would make sure the tubes and sockets are seated good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ENdtime Posted June 15, 2008 Members Share Posted June 15, 2008 Only the preamp tubes make any noise when tapped. They make a rattling noise. When I'm playing the amp loud, I can hear the tubes rattling around when I'm playing the guitar. If the tubes are rattling and you can hear them in your amp then that isnt right either.. Although microphonic means something different than a poorly constructed rattling tube.. FWIW, I had some old tubes that rattled and when I put them in my amp they SCREAMED like a banshee. They were microphonic and bad beyond belief. So I couldnt tell you whats going on, if your amp sounds ok but you're hearing rattling.. I would suspect its prolly only 1 tube, so maybe try and find the bad tube.. Otherwise call Doug and explain, tubes do go bad during transit., Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarded_1 Posted June 15, 2008 Members Share Posted June 15, 2008 The tube tap test is virtually irrelevant in most cases. If you suspect a bad preamp tube, just use process of elimination. Most times, tapping on a tube won't tell you anything unless it's microphonic as a mofo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarcapo Posted June 15, 2008 Members Share Posted June 15, 2008 I have 100 bucks says you'll never find a preamp tube in the V1 slot that doesn't make noise when you tap on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Victory Posted June 15, 2008 Members Share Posted June 15, 2008 When I plug the guitar straight into the power amp and crank it I can hear the tube rattling through the speakers What are you doing plugging straight into the power amp section from the effects loop return? I think your making a mountain out of a mole hill. The pre tubes with make a tapping sound when you tap them. If you want a louder tapping sound use a hammer. HE HE HE Kind of like saying a spring reverb is bad cause it makes a lot of noise when I smack the side of my amp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mparsons Posted June 15, 2008 Author Members Share Posted June 15, 2008 No This isn't an amp head. This is my VHT 2/90/2 power amp. It has two phase inverter tubes and two preamp tubes ( I assume for the presence/depth knobs ) I narrowed it down to a rattling Shuguang tube. I removed it and replaced it with a spare tube I had laying around. No more rattle. All is well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Rindgecore Posted June 16, 2008 Members Share Posted June 16, 2008 When tapping your preamp tubes, if there is one that makes a noticeably different sound then the others then you've found your problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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