D-Lab Basic Training Inspecting loose worn vintage tube octal sockets 55 Fender Pro 5E5A guitar amp

Classic Fender Pro arrived the shop. Complaint, Tubes running hot, lots of noise. Upon initial visual inspection, worn tube sockets raised the red flag. I did not power the amp until new sockets were installed. I took some close up video utilizing my Dino-Lite. For enhanced visual inspection, especially solder joints, I would highly recommend adding one to your work bench. I use mine quite often. The amp was close to stock condition except for the output transformer. The replacement had the ID for a Super Reverb. A proper replacement was located and installed. Variable negative bias was also added with current sensing resistors on each output tube. The amp is playing well, soon to be on the way back home. The intent of these basic training videos is to provide a systematic approach to finding the cause of failures. This series is not designed to show a complete repair. I am highlighting key points for you reference. Hope you enjoy.

[@hestheMaster]

100 % agree on replacing those tube sockets with new ones Terry. At my age I wish someone could replace my sockets they are worn out too.

[@davehunt5706]

Excellent stuff Terry , please keep them coming

[@chipcrooks557]

Good job Terry!!!

[@tommybewick]

Thank you so much Terry. I always learn a lot from you, but these little basic training ones are excellent. Glad you're doing them.

[@gaylen8467]

Hey, Im over 60 years old too!!

[@johnbravo7542]

You gotta watch those anemic tube pins,thank's Terry

[@brianyoung9014]

Thanks for the info Terry.

[@vintagetubeamplifiers]

Great as always, I learn so much from each video you post. Thanks again Terry.

[@n8iws484]

I've been watching all of your video's for the past few days. I have time, off on medical leave due to cardiac work being done. I'm going to have to retire soon and would love to be able to fix my own antique radios. Have you ever thought about "what do you need to start repairing radios yourself" video? I've built kits in the past, I can solder, have several multimeters, analog and digital, a Weller soldering station. My background is I've been a mechanic most of my life, thus the possible medical retirement, body is shot now. I've been a ham since the start of novice enhancement and progressed from there. All of my gear is boxed up and awaiting it's final home. Since I prefer boat anchors and tubes, what would a good tube checker to select? Will I need a oscilloscope? What type? I know I'm watching for a automotive oscilloscope for my old cars for tuning purposes since my old cars are original not digital. I hope to be able to get out to the swap meets, walking is quite difficult right now, and meet up with you again. I was a regular attendee at the LARC swap, MARC swap, USECA swap, Dayton, almost all of the tri county swaps, Chelsea, Adrian too. Currently Traverse City swap is in my calendar, not sure if I could do it. But, we will see what happens. 73 de N8IWS

[@richardbrobeck2384]

Great Tip Terry !

[@nathkrupa3463]

Nice Video Sir thanks for sharing

[@luthiervandros]

The ol’ hotdog in the hallway.

[@markwhitney5667]

Terry! Heyco makes them! And Mouser has them. The one I used to see was way more expensive.

[@normanvename4404]

Could you do a video on installing external bias points and bias trim pot. I have one amp, the PRS MT15, that came with all that externally mounted and its so much easier to deal with. Even my 6505+ has bias points on the back but the adjustment pot is on the inside, kinda defeating the purpose if you ask me. And the rest of my amp heads you have to completely remove the chassis. I want to get them up to snuff with 2023. Love the videos, you put out great information. Thanks.

[@jmormino5465]

Thanks for these !!!!

[@tschupbach]

Had an interesting issue in a boutique amp (High dollar, very well built) in which the amp would play 10 minutes, then shut down. Almost exactly 10 minutes every time. Sounds like an R/C timer circuit, right? Tested the tubes, all ok. Checked voltages, all ok. Got out the freeze spray and started shooting caps when it quit. Found one that caused the sound to immediately return, then stopped again after it warmed back up. There was my R/C timer! Was a Sprague Orange Drop .25/400 that was the culprit. There were 4 of them in the circuit, replaced them all and it lives again!

[@d-labelectronics]

That is an interesting failure. I have not used freeze spray in about 25 yrs! Guess I need to get a can back in the shop

[@sjirk]

Nice little tip here! At the shipyard i work the steel guys have special round mini vile sets to clean their burning torges. these tiny vile sets are perfect for cleaning dirty tube sockets!

[@rustyrobinson8027]

Thanks again 👍

[@edwardhannigan6324]

Hey Terry, Some top tips on those sockets...Something new learned every time...Just so much to consider as you do an initial visual inspection on an oldie..Thanks for the tips...Ed..UK..😁

[@faultlessguitarsandamps1116]

Yes , I've had a set of JJ 6L6 that would fall in and out of sockets . I tried to add a layer of solder to the pins to add thickness , but that wasn't successful . Doh !!!!

[@zulumax1]

Had the same problem in a brand new Prima Luna amplifier which a friend put JJ EL-34 tubes in. All the JJ octal tubes I have run across have under size pins including a Fisher 500C receiver that I have that has JJ 7591S tubes in it.

[@miguelrichartmellado2834]

👍👍

[@JustinBoza]

So glad I found your channel! Great stuff man. Would love to see a video on where you would start if you were just getting into becoming an amp tech

[@bryantcrawford5664]

Hey Terry I'm a long time viewer and I just purchased a tube amp that was a intercom at one time.its 2 bake o lite cases and it has 3 little tubes in it.ill have to send the model number and make of it later but I was checking to see if you would be interested in turning it into a guitar amp.the bake o lite cases look alike so it could make 2.shoot me a message and give me a ballpark number on how much I'd be looking at in terms of price and we can get moving on it. The inside of the amp is real clean and the caps look to be very good but looks can fool I know from watching your channel lol.well looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks Terry

[@markwhitney5667]

"Strain Relief Pliers"

[@BrianPepperdine]

HI HI. We all know what happens to guys wearing red shirts!! HA! We used to all those crew fellows in the Star Trek landing party who were not the regulars as "expendable crew members" - usually vaporized or otherwise were goners within minutes of landing on the planet.

[@zbaby82]

My new JJ EL34s won't easily fit into my 2000 Marshall TSL60. Whereas the New Sensor Tung Sol EL34s will. So I suppose JJ made their tube pins bigger. Too big as far as I'm concerned.

[@itsonlyme9938]

I purchased of Ebay 2 EL34 new old stock and plugged them in to my brand new amp and the heaters would not lite up and the put them into my tube tester and they did light up and sent them back to the vendor for a refund

[@brentnearhood8874]

Thinks! Fink Are you still able to get the tubes from Russia?

[@d-labelectronics]

Yes, They are back, higher price of course but worth it

[@markwhitney5667]

Did you get my Dummy Head pictures, Terry? I tried sending videos, so you could hear the fan wind up.

[@pauldavis6356]

Why is there a hole in your Expert TV Repair box?

[@waynegram8907]

D LAB, What type of PLATING is used on various tube pins? because this pin plating is different on various tube pin manufactures which causes conduction problems because its like those turret you couldn't solder on them because of poor plating issues. Most tube sockets doesn't list in the SPECS what pin diameters should be the correct Mating match for the tube socket pins, so what is the correct pin diameter for various tube sockets its always 0.091 pin diameter?

[@silverbushman]

Does any one repurdues new sockets ?

[@markwhitney5667]

PN: 0022

[@hestheMaster]

100 % agree on replacing those tube sockets with new ones Terry. At my age I wish someone could replace my sockets they are worn out too.