The Sushi Box FX Secret Society

[BunchyMutt]

With EF86's being so inefficient to work with now I'm wondering if I should get a space heater to compare. I don't need the gain at all and I like what the Edison/Westinghouse brought to my signal but I'm wondering if a 12AX7 design would get me the same thing

 

[Wangus67]

So I've been doing a little more reading about EF86, and apparently microphonics are common, to the point that some builders buy a batch of 50 and end up throwing half of them away for noise/microphonics. I didn't realize I needed to be so selective with the tubes, but I will be ordering a handful of TAD EF86 this month that have been "hand selected for low noise and microphonics." I have another 20 or so 6J32P coming so hopefully I can test all of them and find enough that aren't microphonics to take care of March and also get replacements for the microphonic tubes in March batch.


Unfortunately also common, that was one of the biggest factors for me to stop using them. If it bothers you I could try replacing the tube for you, I still have a handful (literally like 4) left, though I unfortunately can't guarantee that these won't go microphonic.

Well...That’s very generous of you. I’ll probably take you up on it and see what happens. I’ll PM you. Thanks!

 

[Skip Chucker]

With EF86's being so inefficient to work with now I'm wondering if I should get a space heater to compare. I don't need the gain at all and I like what the Edison/Westinghouse brought to my signal but I'm wondering if a 12AX7 design would get me the same thing

I have an April build of both a Space Heater and a Westinghouse. I can run a comparison, however I think they'll be two distinct flavors of ice cream. (Who doesn't love ice cream?)

 

[kranahan]

I have the Westinghouse right in front of me.

There is no noise when tapping anywhere on the enclosure while it is on a flat surface. However, when I pick it up and tap the vents there is a noticeable ping/static noise.

The squeal changes it’s pitch from fully CCW to 3 o’clock on the Volt dial. At fully CCW it is an in your face squeal like nails on a chalkboard. At 9 o’clock it’s a higher pitched squeal. At Noon an even higher pitched squeal. From Noon to 2-3 o’clock it slowly goes away.

There is a ping noise when engaging the pedal.

Other than that, it adds some nice tube warmth without noise from 3 o’clock to fully CW.

 

[labeledbass]

I have the Westinghouse right in front of me.

There is no noise when tapping anywhere on the enclosure while it is on a flat surface. However, when I pick it up and tap the vents there is a noticeable ping/static noise.

The squeal changes it’s pitch from fully CCW to 3 o’clock on the Volt dial. At fully CCW it is an in your face squeal like nails on a chalkboard. At 9 o’clock it’s a higher pitched squeal. At Noon an even higher pitched squeal. From Noon to 2-3 o’clock it slowly goes away.

There is a ping noise when engaging the pedal.

Other than that, it adds some nice tube warmth without noise from 3 o’clock to fully CCW.

Can you hear a thump when you touch the case? My wattson is like that, I can simply snap near the enclosure and hear a thump.

BUT this squeal everyone is hearing, I experienced too, past tense. I've heard it's the charge pumps because at one point it does stop, and for the most part it doesn't do it anymore, only at high gain "un fixed gain issue", sounds like a jet engine spooling up. I hear the thumps and squeals. This would be ok for me at home on a desk, but in no way would this work on a stage where cabinets and PA are shaking the floor, and this is the mini tube version I speak of.

@Sushi Box FX didn't you mention to me the squeal sound that elevates is the charge pumps going up and down? It's been a while I couldn't find the DM

 

[benjobass]

The squeal changes it’s pitch from fully CCW to 3 o’clock on the Volt dial. At fully CCW it is an in your face squeal like nails on a chalkboard. At 9 o’clock it’s a higher pitched squeal. At Noon an even higher pitched squeal. From Noon to 2-3 o’clock it slowly goes away.

There is a ping noise when engaging the pedal.

Mine is nearly identical w/the squealing. I'll try tapping the enclosure in a little bit and see if that does anything weird too.

 

[Sushi Box FX]

@Sushi Box FX didn't you mention to me the squeal sound that elevates is the charge pumps going up and down? It's been a while I couldn't find the DM

I mentioned that a couple posts ago, the switch-mode power supply I use for the high voltage uses different switching frequency to get different voltages, so it would make sense that what people are hearing are harmonics of the switching frequency (actual switching frequency is way above 20kHz) and that they change frequency as the voltage knob is turned, and when they turn up high enough it switches so fast that even the harmonics are too high frequency to be heard.

 

[labeledbass]

I mentioned that a couple posts ago, the switch-mode power supply I use for the high voltage uses different switching frequency to get different voltages, so it would make sense that what people are hearing are harmonics of the switching frequency (actual switching frequency is way above 20kHz) and that they change frequency as the voltage knob is turned, and when they turn up high enough it switches so fast that even the harmonics are too high frequency to be heard.

I just know I had a squealing problem at first, but a good 4 or 5 power ups and plays it seems to be gone, microphonics are another thing lol, I just tip toe when engaged

 

[BunchyMutt]

y of the noise... Maybe the EF86 in mine is microphonic? (I've never experienced a microphonic tube to know what it really does, and I don't have another EF86 to test with.)

@Sushi Box FX - Hoping you might have some insight both of us

I just know I had a squealing problem at first, but a good 4 or 5 power ups and plays it seems to be gone, microphonics are another thing lol, I just tip toe when engaged

That’s with the Westinghouse?

 

[labeledbass]

y of the noise... Maybe the EF86 in mine is microphonic? (I've never experienced a microphonic tube to know what it really does, and I don't have another EF86 to test with.)

@Sushi Box FX - Hoping you might have some insight both of us

That’s with the Westinghouse?

Wattson, PA

 

[DirtyDuke]

Hey everyone.

My Deep Dish just arrived in time for the compressor battle .

I have an extensive stash of NOS tubes. I'm just curious which tube goes where?

If you are looking at the pedal with the controls facing you does the 12au7 go on the left or right?

Thanks in advance.

 

[kranahan]

Hey everyone.

My Deep Dish just arrived in time for the compressor battle .

I have an extensive stash of NOS tubes. I'm just curious which tube goes where?

If you are looking at the pedal with the controls facing you does the 12au7 go on the left or right?

Thanks in advance.

I put new tubes in my old DD but I couldn’t tell you which tubes went where. The tubes that are in there should have markings (logo or type) on them. Mine did. One tip: I recommend using chopsticks or a rubber band when removing the tubes. It will make your life much easier.

 

[DirtyDuke]

I put new tubes in my old DD but I couldn’t tell you which tubes went where. The tubes that are in there should have markings (logo or type) on them. Mine did. One tip: I recommend using chopsticks or a rubber band when removing the tubes. It will make your life much easier.

Hi. Thanks. But I didn't order any tubes with mine as I have some nice vintage bugle boys. Red tipped Telefunken etc.

So I have no idea which is which. Trial and error I guess.

 

[DirtyDuke]

Compressor battle

Missing the Deep Dish and Empress bass comp (the new one) from this picture. I really want my Union Tube and Thorpy Fat General back

 

[Sushi Box FX]

Compressor battle

Missing the Deep Dish and Empress bass comp (the new one) from this picture. I really want my Union Tube and Thorpy Fat General back

View attachment 4231963

If you're looking at the controls, 12AU7 goes on the left and 12AT7 goes on the right.

y of the noise... Maybe the EF86 in mine is microphonic? (I've never experienced a microphonic tube to know what it really does, and I don't have another EF86 to test with.)

@Sushi Box FX - Hoping you might have some insight both of us

That’s with the Westinghouse?

Based on your recording I think the tube is microphonic. I just ordered some TAD EF86 (I may have to adjust prices if I make these standard) to compare with the 30 or so 6J32P I have, hopefully I should have enough non-microphonic tubes to swap with all the microphonic ones that just went out.

 

[DirtyDuke]

If you're looking at the controls, 12AU7 goes on the left and 12AT7 goes on the right.


Based on your recording I think the tube is microphonic. I just ordered some TAD EF86 (I may have to adjust prices if I make these standard) to compare with the 30 or so 6J32P I have, hopefully I should have enough non-microphonic tubes to swap with all the microphonic ones that just went out.

I have a stash of NOS ef86 is you need some. Probably 20 or so

 

[Sushi Box FX]

I have a stash of NOS ef86 is you need some. Probably 20 or so

I may take you up on that. Let me see how this batch works out and I'll let you know. $3 for a 6J32P is a great deal unless I have to throw away half of the ones I buy and spend time testing all of them before they even make it to a pedal. $23 for a TAD EF86 is more than I like paying, but TAD is more selective about their tubes so I'm hoping it will work out without being ridiculous.

 

[jbybj]

I may take you up on that. Let me see how this batch works out and I'll let you know. $3 for a 6J32P is a great deal unless I have to throw away half of the ones I buy and spend time testing all of them before they even make it to a pedal. $23 for a TAD EF86 is more than I like paying, but TAD is more selective about their tubes so I'm hoping it will work out without being ridiculous.

I’ll gladly cough up another $30 for my April Westinghouse to get a trouble free tube. Say the word.

 

[aekisz]

I’ll gladly cough up another $30 for my April Westinghouse to get a trouble free tube. Say the word.

Same here

 

[BunchyMutt]

I’ll gladly cough up another $30 for my April Westinghouse to get a trouble free tube. Say the word.

Me too