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Forums > Gear talk > Just bought JCM2000 on ebay...tubes going out? HELP!

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Original message:9 days 15 hours 47 minutes ago

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Member: masoninyourface

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i just bought a JCM2000 TSL100 on ebay. not ever having had a single problem purchasing on ebay i wasn't too worried about it. well, luckily i received the amp after spending 3 weeks trying to track the guy down to assure me that he in fact did ship it. when i got it looked great, immaculate condition, so my anger with the guy was starting to subside. well, i plugged it up to test it out and found that on the clean channel i couldn't turn it up past 4 without it sounding distorted. the dirty channels sounded fairly decent, but i'd turn the volume and gain up to 10 and probably could've had a conversation at the same time because the volume was disturbingly quiet. i'm thinking (and hoping) i need to change out the power tubes, and that its not something more serious, but i've honestly never owned a tube amp long enough for the tubes to go out, so i'm not altogether positive. does this sound like it might be the problem? if it is, what tubes would be good enough to sound decent but also not be like, $200/quad or more? are svetlana tubes any good? they are dirt cheap so i'm assuming they're not great.

also, i've researched the process of rebiasing the amp myself after i change out the tubes. it doesn't seem too complicated as long as you're safe about it, and it seems particularly easy to do on a TSL100. is this something a fairly competent person who's not a total retard can handle? i mean, i'm no electrician, but i understand the concept and i've done my homework on it, so i'm not thinking it would be brain surgery or anything. any input would be greatly appreciated.

Reply:9 days 14 hours 46 minutes ago
Member: bachmirage

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well if you change the tubes out with the same brand and type of tube that is in it now, then you really shouldn't have to worry about the bias settings. all things being equal, the new tubes should set up fine with the bias settings as they are. but my advice would be to take it into a shop and have a thourough check done on the head. if it turns out to be another problem alltogether, then new tubes may not be the solution. you also want to know this in case there was damage done in the shipping process. of which the insurance on the package would come into play....but you will want to know either way....

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Reply:9 days 14 hours 31 minutes ago
Member: shanejohnson2002

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My personal favorites are Electro-Harmonix tubes. That's all I use in my amps and they are fantastic. Also, you don't necessarily *need* to rebias the amp for it to work, but it is a suggested practice. Your tubes will last longer if you do.

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Reply:9 days 8 hours 31 minutes ago
Member: pinsone

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yea i'm getting ehx tubs when my tubes go out

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Reply:9 days 13 hours 44 minutes ago
Member: eds1275

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is the power soak button in? I have a TSL100 and the button is always in. It shuts it down to 25 watts or so and is a lot quieter. [turn down before you disengage the button]. Also, a better way to test out a 100 watt marshall head is to UNPLUG your guitar, turn the amp up to ten and kinda just hang out with it... if the hiss changes in volume drastically at any point its safer than to be jamming with your quiet amp on ten when it decides to kick back in.

When shipping tube amps, it's good practice to label the tubes, pull them out, and pack them seperately. Then you just stick them back in where they were and play.

Reply:9 days 13 hours 4 minutes ago
Member: sallan

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I would definately have it checked. I once owned a jcm800, and it is hands down the worst piece of amplification gear I ever owned. Looked spectacular, sounded like shit, and the only way to get any real tone out of it was via effects boxes. Sold it for 300 bucks to a guy who claimed to love it. I do recall the 2000 being a bit more edgy than the 800(doesn't that amp go to 11?).

So assuming this is the amp you really want to play on for the next (__) amount of years, I'd have it totally worked over by a reputable amp shop. Don't rebias your amp...it sounds simple, but it's not something you should want to play with on your new amp.

-sallan

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Reply:8 days 22 hours 22 minutes ago
Member: Richey

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I got my Mesa head from ebay and when I got it the tubes were loose. Have you checked that? Also, just a few months after buying it, my power tubes started acting up so I had to replace them. I think you should check the power soak button on yours first then make sure the tubes are in tight (don't break them). If that doesn't fix it, take him to the doctor (tech).

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