Tube Tester Suggestions?

Tube-specific discussions

Moderators: CurtissRobin, colossal, zaphod_phil

User avatar
JMPGuitars
Super Duper Admin
Super Duper Admin
Posts: 3954
Joined: Tue 09/18/12 8:00 pm
Location: South Central, MA
Contact:

Re: Tube Tester Suggestions?

Post by JMPGuitars »

CurtissRobin wrote: As to "mismatched" tubes harming an amp, nonsense. Assuming tubes of the same type, at least one of the tubes would have to be faulty, not merely different in transconductance from the other(s) to cause harm.
KennyO
The tubes that I was referring to were JJ tubes, which I've had a great deal of reliability issues with (only with EL84 tubes). So it's possible that one of the tubes was faulty instead of simply being overly mismatched.

I have read a lot though about the tubes being too far out of balance causing trouble. I don't personally lean one way or the other. Like I said, I think the people that push the need for extreme tube matching in guitar amps are the people making the tube matchers or offering the tube matching services, much like DeBeers did with the diamond in the 1930s.
0 x
'I installed a skylight in my apartment yesterday... The people who live above me are furious.' - Steven Wright

Modern Ground Schemes
Soldering Technique
B+ Voltage Reduction
Amplifier Tools & Parts Info


Web Design: DolceVittoria.com
Guitars / Amps / Effects: JMPGuitars.com
(anti)Social: Facebook · Instagram
Items for Sale

Freddy
Occasional poster
Occasional poster
Posts: 229
Joined: Wed 03/21/07 2:00 am
Location: Western PA

Re: Tube Tester Suggestions?

Post by Freddy »

The emission type testers are not totally useless. You can check for shorts, dead filaments, and do a basic emission test to see if they are conducting. As long as you can get one cheap and in good shape they can come in handy. Good for screening old tubes from flea markets, grab bags of tubes off FleaBay or ones found in an attic. The vintage Mu testers go for stupid money and a lot of them haven't been calibrated since they were made 50-60 years ago. The Orange tube tester looks interesting but for $500 it just gives you three indicators: Good, Worn, or Fail. No way you can match up power tubes with that system.
0 x

User avatar
JMPGuitars
Super Duper Admin
Super Duper Admin
Posts: 3954
Joined: Tue 09/18/12 8:00 pm
Location: South Central, MA
Contact:

Re: Tube Tester Suggestions?

Post by JMPGuitars »

Freddy wrote:The emission type testers are not totally useless. You can check for shorts, dead filaments, and do a basic emission test to see if they are conducting. As long as you can get one cheap and in good shape they can come in handy. Good for screening old tubes from flea markets, grab bags of tubes off FleaBay or ones found in an attic. The vintage Mu testers go for stupid money and a lot of them haven't been calibrated since they were made 50-60 years ago. The Orange tube tester looks interesting but for $500 it just gives you three indicators: Good, Worn, or Fail. No way you can match up power tubes with that system.
Supposedly it tests for all of this:

Heater filament test: Short circuit
Heater filament test: Open circuit
Heater filament test: Tolerance check
Heater cathode insulation: Leakage
Heater cathode insulation: Short Circuit
Tests for heater current abnormalities
Amplification factor
Voltage gain
Power gain
Screen grid test
Mutual conductance test
Dual test for double triodes
Emission
Inter electrode leakage
Inter electrode short circuit
Flash-over (arc detection, high voltage breakdown)
Gas ionisation test

According to the video I watched, after it tests the tube, it also gives a number, and you're supposed to match according to that number. Since I fall somewhere in between the two extremes in regards to whether or not tubes need to be matched, I figure it should be sufficient... But, no, I won't pay $500 for it. I've read reviews where people have gotten it new for as little as $350. I'll most likely wait until I find a used one for under $250.
0 x
'I installed a skylight in my apartment yesterday... The people who live above me are furious.' - Steven Wright

Modern Ground Schemes
Soldering Technique
B+ Voltage Reduction
Amplifier Tools & Parts Info


Web Design: DolceVittoria.com
Guitars / Amps / Effects: JMPGuitars.com
(anti)Social: Facebook · Instagram
Items for Sale

User avatar
tone
Unrated
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun 02/16/14 7:32 pm
Location: the north country
Contact:

Re: Tube Tester Suggestions?

Post by tone »

Hi there. I'm a newbie to this site.
I took the plunge on the Orange tester and spent a few hours going thru my supply. I like it. I wish it provided more specs but its good at matching tubes and eliminating bad ones. I discovered the driver tube in one of my amps was unbalanced and replaced it. The difference was obvious instantly. I'm going to experiment with unmatched el84 tubes to see if there is a difference.
0 x
It's always here and now my friend, it ain't once upon a time.It's all over but the shouting. I've come to take whats mine.D.

User avatar
JMPGuitars
Super Duper Admin
Super Duper Admin
Posts: 3954
Joined: Tue 09/18/12 8:00 pm
Location: South Central, MA
Contact:

Re: Tube Tester Suggestions?

Post by JMPGuitars »

Jealous! :)
0 x
'I installed a skylight in my apartment yesterday... The people who live above me are furious.' - Steven Wright

Modern Ground Schemes
Soldering Technique
B+ Voltage Reduction
Amplifier Tools & Parts Info


Web Design: DolceVittoria.com
Guitars / Amps / Effects: JMPGuitars.com
(anti)Social: Facebook · Instagram
Items for Sale

User avatar
tone
Unrated
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun 02/16/14 7:32 pm
Location: the north country
Contact:

Re: Tube Tester Suggestions?

Post by tone »

Update: The only real complaint is the thing doesn't do ef86 valves.
0 x
It's always here and now my friend, it ain't once upon a time.It's all over but the shouting. I've come to take whats mine.D.

User avatar
JMPGuitars
Super Duper Admin
Super Duper Admin
Posts: 3954
Joined: Tue 09/18/12 8:00 pm
Location: South Central, MA
Contact:

Re: Tube Tester Suggestions?

Post by JMPGuitars »

tone wrote:Update: The only real complaint is the thing doesn't do ef86 valves.
Seriously?? That's kind of a deal breaker for me. I love EF86 preamps. Orange better add it in there for the next version or update.
0 x
'I installed a skylight in my apartment yesterday... The people who live above me are furious.' - Steven Wright

Modern Ground Schemes
Soldering Technique
B+ Voltage Reduction
Amplifier Tools & Parts Info


Web Design: DolceVittoria.com
Guitars / Amps / Effects: JMPGuitars.com
(anti)Social: Facebook · Instagram
Items for Sale

User avatar
tone
Unrated
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun 02/16/14 7:32 pm
Location: the north country
Contact:

Re: Tube Tester Suggestions?

Post by tone »

I wasn't aware when i got it. Someone in Orange R&D missed that nugget. I have a custom built rig that uses an ef86 pre. Something special about that tube...
0 x
It's always here and now my friend, it ain't once upon a time.It's all over but the shouting. I've come to take whats mine.D.

User avatar
JMPGuitars
Super Duper Admin
Super Duper Admin
Posts: 3954
Joined: Tue 09/18/12 8:00 pm
Location: South Central, MA
Contact:

Re: Tube Tester Suggestions?

Post by JMPGuitars »

I agree. I have at least 4 amps I built with EF86 preamps in my office right now. :)
0 x
'I installed a skylight in my apartment yesterday... The people who live above me are furious.' - Steven Wright

Modern Ground Schemes
Soldering Technique
B+ Voltage Reduction
Amplifier Tools & Parts Info


Web Design: DolceVittoria.com
Guitars / Amps / Effects: JMPGuitars.com
(anti)Social: Facebook · Instagram
Items for Sale

davidw
Unrated
Posts: 13
Joined: Thu 01/24/13 5:07 am

Re: Tube Tester Suggestions?

Post by davidw »

Came across this one the other day. I think it looks really good and would be interested in other opinions before having a go at building one.

http://www.valveheaven.com/wp-content/u ... tester.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
0 x

User avatar
JMPGuitars
Super Duper Admin
Super Duper Admin
Posts: 3954
Joined: Tue 09/18/12 8:00 pm
Location: South Central, MA
Contact:

Re: Tube Tester Suggestions?

Post by JMPGuitars »

davidw wrote:Came across this one the other day. I think it looks really good and would be interested in other opinions before having a go at building one.

http://www.valveheaven.com/wp-content/u ... tester.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Very interesting! I'm going to have to look into this more. Thanks for sharing!
0 x
'I installed a skylight in my apartment yesterday... The people who live above me are furious.' - Steven Wright

Modern Ground Schemes
Soldering Technique
B+ Voltage Reduction
Amplifier Tools & Parts Info


Web Design: DolceVittoria.com
Guitars / Amps / Effects: JMPGuitars.com
(anti)Social: Facebook · Instagram
Items for Sale

CurtissRobin
Senior Amp Tech
Senior Amp Tech
Posts: 1169
Joined: Sat 08/09/08 2:00 am
Location: Columbia River Gorge, Oregon Side

Re: Tube Tester Suggestions?

Post by CurtissRobin »

Hmmm! I've got a suitable chassis, all the parts (even the transformer due to an old, old SS hi-fi amp project that never got done) and Harbor Freight nearly always has those $5 DMMs in stock. This could happen!

Much thanks.
KennyO
0 x

User avatar
JMPGuitars
Super Duper Admin
Super Duper Admin
Posts: 3954
Joined: Tue 09/18/12 8:00 pm
Location: South Central, MA
Contact:

Re: Tube Tester Suggestions?

Post by JMPGuitars »

CurtissRobin wrote:Hmmm! I've got a suitable chassis, all the parts (even the transformer due to an old, old SS hi-fi amp project that never got done) and Harbor Freight nearly always has those $5 DMMs in stock. This could happen!

Much thanks.
KennyO
Do it! You'll probably have free time to do it before me, and I'd love your opinion on it. ;)
0 x
'I installed a skylight in my apartment yesterday... The people who live above me are furious.' - Steven Wright

Modern Ground Schemes
Soldering Technique
B+ Voltage Reduction
Amplifier Tools & Parts Info


Web Design: DolceVittoria.com
Guitars / Amps / Effects: JMPGuitars.com
(anti)Social: Facebook · Instagram
Items for Sale

CurtissRobin
Senior Amp Tech
Senior Amp Tech
Posts: 1169
Joined: Sat 08/09/08 2:00 am
Location: Columbia River Gorge, Oregon Side

Re: Tube Tester Suggestions?

Post by CurtissRobin »

Do it! You'll probably have free time to do it before me, and I'd love your opinion on it. ;)
Not likely soon ... I just got a lead on a sidecar for my project bike, it's about to turn to April and the sun is shining; what do you think my priorities are this week??!!

KennyO
0 x

User avatar
JMPGuitars
Super Duper Admin
Super Duper Admin
Posts: 3954
Joined: Tue 09/18/12 8:00 pm
Location: South Central, MA
Contact:

Re: Tube Tester Suggestions?

Post by JMPGuitars »

CurtissRobin wrote:
Do it! You'll probably have free time to do it before me, and I'd love your opinion on it. ;)
Not likely soon ... I just got a lead on a sidecar for my project bike, it's about to turn to April and the sun is shining; what do you think my priorities are this week??!!

KennyO
Crap. Oh well, I guess we'll see who gets around to it first. :)
0 x
'I installed a skylight in my apartment yesterday... The people who live above me are furious.' - Steven Wright

Modern Ground Schemes
Soldering Technique
B+ Voltage Reduction
Amplifier Tools & Parts Info


Web Design: DolceVittoria.com
Guitars / Amps / Effects: JMPGuitars.com
(anti)Social: Facebook · Instagram
Items for Sale

ilcaccillo
Unrated
Posts: 9
Joined: Sat 12/24/16 9:42 pm

Re: Tube Tester Suggestions?

Post by ilcaccillo »

Freddy wrote:The Orange tube tester looks interesting but for $500 it just gives you three indicators: Good, Worn, or Fail. No way you can match up power tubes with that system.
Hi, I would just like to correct your assumption on the Orange tube tester.

Yes you can match power tubes with the unit, it's one of it's features. it has a bold and straight to the point matching system.
You can also test for the matching in dual triodes (12AX7, 12AU7, 12AT7)

This unit is marketed towards the musician and not the electronics tech, so it's dead simple and easy to use.
What are orange matching tests, or matching assumptions I don't really know, but I used it quite often to match power tubes, and when I plugged the tubes into a Push Pull amplifier am biased the amp the current consumption was quite similar between all the output tubes, so it seem to work.

For a time I had the Hickok 6000A tube tester and the Orange VT on the shop, so I tested same tubes on both, results were not consistent between the 2 units, Orange seems to "Fail" more tubes than the expensive Hickhok, so then I was just confused in which unit to trust.
Anyway you cannot match tubes with a tube tester, even if you have an expensive tester like the Hickok or the Avo MKIV, but you can for sure get some level of matching that works well in real world with the Orange VT.

Anyways if you really want to get into tube matching, the only way of doing it properly it's with a Curve Tracer.
I also recommend the Utracer that was mentioned in this thread already.

http://www.dos4ever.com/uTracer3/uTracer3_pag0.html
0 x

Post Reply