Removing tubes from amp

davidbarry

So, I'm moving on tuesday and I've got to ship my amp to my new place. I've got a Fender '65 Deluxe Revervb tube amp, so the tubes are going to have to be removed to avoid breakage during the move. Problem is, I've never removed them before, so I'm wondering how I go about doing this.

Earthenrock

Depends on what types of tubes. First you have to get access to them, thats the first step. For preamp tubes (there small compared to power tubes), you'll want to put a glove or sock over your hand and pull them out. They might have a small wire clip on them which you'll have to get off.

for power tubes depending on whether or not they have caps on them holding them in should also pull out easy as well.

sometimes the grease from your fingers will get on the tubes and when the tube heats up they'll crack so just remember to put a sock over your hand when taking them out.

davidbarry

Earthenrock wrote: »

Depends on what types of tubes. First you have to get access to them, thats the first step. For preamp tubes (there small compared to power tubes), you'll want to put a glove or sock over your hand and pull them out. They might have a small wire clip on them which you'll have to get off.

for power tubes depending on whether or not they have caps on them holding them in should also pull out easy as well.

sometimes the grease from your fingers will get on the tubes and when the tube heats up they'll crack so just remember to put a sock over your hand when taking them out.

The preamp tubes (or at least what I believe are pre amp tubes) appear to have some sort of metallic casing around them, and the power tubes (the two large tubes, correct?) have some sort of metal clip around the base, not really sure if that has anything to do with holding it in or not. I just want to be sure so I don't do something stupid and end up damaging the tubes.

Edit: THe 65 deluxe is a speaker cabinet/amp combo, so there is an open access to the tubes in the back.

Earthenrock

ya, make sure its been off for a while. its kind of like my two rock amp then. The metal casings should come off just pull up...(or down) depending on if there hanging upside down from inside your amp. that'll expose the smaller pre amp tubes. no twisting is involved just jiggle and pull straight out. the metal clip on the power tubes should be easy to slip off the power tubes. and should stay with the amp and not come off with the tube.

davidbarry

How hard do you normally pull on the tubes? I've slipped the metal casing off the pre amp tubes, but it seems i'm applying an awful lot of pressure and the tube isn't even budging.

Am I supposed to unscrew the metal clips at the base of the amp as well? I don't have a screw driver small enough for the job at the moment, but that problem can be solved easily enough.

Earthenrock

if you don't see anything else holding the tube to the circuit board then it just takes some wiggling and pulling.

tubes have about 8 to 10 one inch wires that go into the socket.