Power Tube Dampeners?

[Major9]

I have a combo that develops power tube rattle on the single Power and rectifier tubes (not the preamps). It only happens at a couple frequencies (mostly "E"). I'm sure it's the glass on the tubes as I can stop it by lightly touching the glass with a pencil when it it happening. I can touch either one to stop it...almost like they are talking to each other. Does anyone have a good source for Power tube "dampeners". I don't want a metal shield.....Something that will slip over the tube. I have seen a plastic fishnet stlye on a Mesa Mk4? Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

[Major9]

Found 'em...actually called Tube "Dampers" Anyone ever tried Herbie's? I have no affiliation.
http://herbiesaudiolab.home.att.net/

 

[hipfan]

Haven't tried those, but they sure look cool! I'm an easy mark for that kind of stuff (from the amount of Auralex stuff in my rehearsal space, I should buy stock in the company), so I'll probably order something from Herbie's.

 

[muddy]

https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/40805

kill 2 birds with 1 stone.


ml

 

[hipfan]

Interesting stuff. Thanks for the link, muddy.

I ordered a couple of Herbie's dampers yesterday for the EL34's in my Demeter. I'll report when they arrive.

 

[hipfan]

OK, I put the Herbie's dampers on the Siemens EL34's I'm running in the Demeter. It's like a whole new amp!!!



Just kidding. They're cool little units, and the tubes seem to be running A-OK, with no microphonics or mechanical noise coming through the amp. Of course, there was none before either. If anything, I view these little fellas as kind of preventative maintenance gadgetry. They kind of make me smile when I notice them sitting there on the tubes. That's worth something, isn't it?

I think a long term test is the only way to really figure out if they're worth anything for a guitar amp. I've had bad luck with EL34's going psycho on me in the past with mechanical noise, so hopefully these will help avoid that in the future.