Re-tubing my S'Face Vibrosonic Reverb....

[fieldsroyal]

Holiday greetings everyone;

Looking to re-valve my 76 Fender Vibrosonic Reverb - person I bought it off took two of the 6L6's out to reduce the amp's volume - but it sounds wimpy and thin to me now...so..
- I'm looking at some Electro-Harmonix "matched quad" valves on ebay - what exactly does matched quad mean??? (pardon my ignorance)
- Can I just put the 4 new valves in myself without biasing etc????

Advice appreciated....

[JS335]

I'm not an expert and I'm sure you'll get some good advice from the experts here but you never want to change output tubes without re-biasing. Also, I can't recommend enough going with NOS tubes. You really cannot believe the difference they make in tone vs. current production. I got some good advice from a friend who knows what he's talking about and re-tubed my Silver Princeton Reverb and the difference was unbelieveable. Don't forget the preamp tubes, I think they make a bigger difference than the output tubes.

There are some dealers here that you can trust for good advice. Check out Mike at KCA. He goes by BlueStrat here.

[Blue Strat]

Thanks JS.

Fieldsroyal: Just a quick recommendation to stay away from Electro Harmonix power tubes. Their preamp tubes are "ok".

I recommend the SED 6L6GCs and Tung Sol Reissue 12AX7s, both new production (not NOS) tubes. NOS tubes are much more costly but last a lot longer and are preferred by many.

I don't remember, but doesn't your amp only call for 2 power tubes (6L6s)?

[fieldsroyal]

Thanks for these suggestions guys.

Blues strat - the Vibrosonic Reverb is basically a Fender Twin chassis (with 15 inch speaker) - reputedly very loud and a good platform for pedals - previous owner reduced the amp's volume by taking out two of the tubes - I thought I'd best change the 4 together as a "matched quad" Perhaps the 2 existing tubes are OK -

The EH's are a good deal cheaper than others I've seen - I'll jot down your suggestions and look them up -

Appreciate your help.

fr.

[Blue Strat]

Originally Posted by fieldsroyal

The EH's are a good deal cheaper than others I've seen -

...and for good reason.

I'll spare you the usual platitude.

[Structo]

I think you'll find that pulling two tubes doesn't drop the actual volume all that much.

I've tried it and to me it ruined the tone.
If you are after power soaked output you are best to use an attenuator or buy an amp with a good master volume.
You should check the bias anytime you swap power tubes.

Which Vibrosonic is your amp?

Is it the Master volume or the 135 watt Ultra Linear?

[fieldsroyal]

Mine's the one with the much maligned master volume - with pull-out boost option no less!! - from 1975 - has stock Fender speaker - perhaps this is not helping either...
When I bought it I expected it to be really loud - it's not and the amp's overdrive sounds like arse....
I'm hoping new tubes will make it respond better to my Menatone drive pedals - Blue Collar; King of Britains; Kar Krash - at the moment these sound amazing through my Vox but only so-so with the Fender...