Top Hat CR Tubes?

[ksuaggie]

I'm a newbie on changing tubes, my Club Royale is showing signs of tube fatigue, the volume drops and then comes back, but is mostly very low.

This is a 2006 CR with 1 - 6CA4 or EZ81, 2 - EL 84s, and 3 - 12AX7's. Do I replace all of these when I have the back off or just some? If some, which ones? Is there a preamp tube that gives a little more sag and if so, which one? Any recommendations on tubes?

Thanks for any help you can offer!

 

[jimmyj]

I'm going to bump this thread because I'm about to order some new tubes for my CR soon and I'd like to hear more recomendations.
BTW to the OP, I've usually replaced all of them, often with JJs from Eurotubes because they have been so reliable in the past. Whether or not it's necessary to replace all the tubes or just the EL-84 power tubes, I don't know. Sometimes I've only replaced the preamp tubes if they are microphonic.
The volume changes sounds odd to me, maybe that would be the rectifier tube??Anyone??

 

[RackCrew]

I'm a tube seller so take this with a grain of salt.

Change them all at the same time. It just makes sense as they will all have the same aging process and amount of time on them as you use the amp.

 

[Bobbyoso]

I'm not a tube seller, but I'd still take this with a grain of salt.

I am a CR owner, however, albeit a 2001, so first thing I'd say is--you don't need to take the back off to change the tubes. Any of 'em. You certainly can, of course.

Secondly, preamp tubes' lifespans are vastly greater, on average, than those of power tubes. Conventional wisdom is to change the rectifier tube at the same time, but I don't know whether it's strictly necessary.

Not sure what you can do to increase "sag" as that term means different things to different people. Strictly speaking, the EZ81 is a pretty saggy rectifier tube, and the rectifier is where "sag" lives, generally speaking. Different pre and power amp tubes may affect the onset and type of breakup, but that's not sag, as I use the term. Does the '06 CR have the "hard/soft" switch? (I would think perhaps not). The '01 that I have does, but it uses a SS rectifier, so it was designed to have a variable attack, or "sag" characteristic.

I've been through three sets of power tubes in my CR since owning it, and am still using the OEM pre's I took out of my 1960's Ampeg Gemini II, which had thousands of hours on them before seeing the inside of the CR, as a (single) datapoint. As always, YMMV.

EL84s are cheap--I think I'd just replace them and if your amp sounds good (and CRs generally do, unless they're really out of whack), you should be fine.

 

[Blue Strat]

Power tubes wear out more quickly so if you feel the preamp tubes are ok (less than a year of heavy use) you may be able to get by with them.

TAD or NOS GE EL84s would be top picks.

If you decide to replace preamp tubes, Tung Sol Reissue 12aX7s are good. A NOS Tesla rectifier is a good choice for the EZ81 and will last a lot longer than any new production tube for less than twice the price.

Preamp tubes don't do sag. Sag is a function of your power supply including the rectifier and the only time you'll get it is when playing at about 5 or higher.

The fluctuating volume situation is more likely something not tube related or possible tube pin/socket connection related.

 

[ksuaggie]

Thanks all for the answers. I've ordered new preamp and power amp JJ's and will see how that goes. I'm hoping the volume deal is a function of the tubes, if not, time to find a tech. About the sag, the volume issue is probably to blame. I'm playing at home and can't really open it up without getting some blowback from the wife. Thanks again.