Amp Talk Blog On Guitar Amp Repair | ValveTubeGuitarAmps

Zaerix an old valve trade mark is rising from the dead

We now own the trademark ” Zaerix” name along with the logo. Zaerix is an old name in the UK market. We are working to bring the brand back to life while upholding the values of this famous name from the past.. Zaerix was the brand name of a company called Z and I Aero Services. They did not make valves themselves but they did source high quality valves from manufacturers around the world and […]

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Overrunning output valves

It is common design practice overrunning output valves. It is done with all types . There are some amps that use EL34’s and run them way over 500 volts. This is well above and beyond the maximum ratings of certain manufacturers. It is inviting trouble as the valves age, they have the possibility of flashing over and failing. We see similar effects with EL84’s. This is not a new phenomenon. Amp companies have been doing

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Fender Princeton Reverb Full Russian Selected Valve kit image

Valve Tube Supplies in 2020 Updated 9th May 2020

The valve/tube world looks like it will see some interesting times ahead in 2020. Here is one thing that may impact Valve Tube Supplies in 2020.One of the big valve suppliers is closing down their factory and re-located it to a new plant. This closure is rumoured to happen on the 30th December 2019. Production is supposedly already winding down in anticipation of the factory closure. The valve market is dominated by three players

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Don’t forget the rectifier valve

Many amps have a valve rectifier valve. Typical types are EZ81, 5Y3, GZ34/5AR4 and 5U4. There are variations on the letters at the end of the part number but the basic part number product will do the job. The alternative is to use solid state diodes. So why have a less reliable valve/tube rectifier than modern diodes? rectifier is just the old name for a diode. How do you know when your rectifier valve needs

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Find the valves you need quick and easy

Find the valves you need quick and easy We have added new categories to make it easier finding valves/ tubes . If you go to the ” Categories “ menu at the top of the page you find instant links to common types. The idea being to find stuff faster. If you are looking for more unusual pre-amps such as the 12DW7 or ECC99 they are still there just look in the “preamp valves” section

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Peavey Classic 30 Restoration

A Peavey Classic 30 Restoration was undertaken. Initially it was taken in for just a repair. It had sat in a garage for many years. There was rust on the face plate so a good indication dampness had got to the amp too. The amp had been switched on by the owner and it was totally dead. Having gone through the amp I can now provide details of the autopsy. The electrolytic capacitors in the

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Marshall JCM900 Breaking Valves

A Marshall JCM900 Breaking Valves was the cause of this amp’s failure. It travels around a lot and it has the original 1990’s valve retainers on the output valves. The original ones fitted to this 4102 model are shown below. These are fitted over the 5881’s to hold them in place. The issue is that an amp is well gigged and in and out of vans suffers a lot of vibration. These holders rub on

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