12AY7 in a DRRI?

[webs]

Is it ok to run a 12AY7 in V2 of a DRRI? I've heard that the plate load resistor needs to be rated for >1 watt and I'm not sure if that's the case here.

[Chris Scott]

Sure- it'll just give you a cleaner, (and maybe slightly better) sound. Try it in V1 as well to see how you like it.

-Cheap, safe and easy way to get different sounds out of your tube amp.

[Norse]

Your drive channels will be more usable as well. I've been running a 12AY7 in v1 and it has been an improvement for me.

[GenoBluzGtr]

the danger you mention is that Fender used plate load resistors in the reissue amps that are underated. They are fine as long as you use the exact tubes that are called for in the chart.

One difference in a 12AY7 and 12AX7 is a lower internal resistance and that causes the circuit to draw slightly more current. This is where you COULD have problems in that the plate load resistor might start to fail if the current is too high (it's an easy fix, however, and one that will want to take care of soon anyway-those plate load resistors will eventually fail with normal use anyway, they just aren't robust enough).

It won't hurt anything to pop in a 12AY7 and noodle around for a little bit at low-mid volumes. Any serious high-volume gigging, however and it may accelerate the deterioration of those resistors.

I had this problem in a SRRI that I had years ago, and the tech who fixed it told me the info above. Fender uses 1/4watt rated resistors in the reissues, where the originals had 1/2 watt or 1 watt resistors.

The symptoms were loud crackling/popping-spitting/static that was uncontrollable with or without an instrument plugged in and no tube changes fixed it.