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kt88 base temperature

hi , the other day I noticed that when I tapped the side of my tube amp , I could hear my output tubes ringing and rattling, as if they were rather loose. I know that loose
connections are not good for sound , it causes distortion.
so my solution to dampen the tubes was pure silicon tape, rated to at least 500 degrees rapped around the base of the tube, now when I tapp my amp it is dead quite, but I am worried about how hot the base of the tube might get , I dont want melted crap in my amps. has anybody else tried this ? could rapping the metal base at the bottom of a kt88 cause shortened tube life ? If this helps the sound I will let everyone know how It turns out. thanks, chris
chrissain

Showing 1 response by nsgarch

nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
Since you were tapping on the chassis, how do you know it is a power tube problem? Usually, microphonics develop in the gain/driver tubes (most often the smaller 9-pin twin triodes like 12 (AX,AT,AU) 7's, etc.

Try tapping the top of each tube individually with a WOODEN instrument like an ice cream stick or a pencil (not the eraser end ;-) to find out which tube(s) it really is.

Personally, I don't like dampers, but . . . . My position is either a tube is microphonic or it isn't. If it is, I replace it.
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