The fasting showman

I've known valve socket / valve pin tension issues to cause this problem, I had it happen with 2 jj 6l6s I had in push / pull. The amp tech I use tensioned the socket and it cured the problem. Lots of nasty high voltages so one for a tech only. I'd guess the problem is with the socket of the EL84 that doesn't glow bright, if that makes sense. It may not be that but worth checking.

I'm glad Dingus agreed, I was doubting myself immediately after posting!

I heard that it was David Hungate.

I'd check with Mr Foxen above maybe before contacting any outlets, he may have better stuff than off the shelf. I've just (in the last year or so) jumped ship after 20 years or so of valve amps, still like them but a GK800rb does the job better for what I want. For 12ax7s I hit upon using JAN GE 5751s in some applications, always seemed very long lasting and well behaved as you'd expect being old military spec valves. For most applications though I found getting new old stock valves (GEs and the like) from suppliers like Langrex and Chelmer were the best bet, or some of the old radio ham guys with back cupboards full of the old stock valves; there used to be a few people listing vast stocks online for good prices. One of the things that made me turn away from valve amps was when the industry of valve supply became a bit too aware of itself (last 10 years or so) and guitar valve suppliers making silly claims and hiking prices etc. Hope I've actually helped here and not muddied the waters!

Totally agree with Dingus regarding the Miles albums, the track 'Fat time' has an amazing sound and feel, I think he was playing through an SVT then. I've never heard him sound better.

I'd go for 'Donny Hathaway- Live' and 'Fresh' by Sly and The Family Stone. Have a listen to 'Glide' by 'Pleasure' too, I've only got that as a single but a real gem.

Here's some of my favourite players that I've ripped off, or tried to, over the years:- George Murray (Bowie '75 to '80), I've never managed to track down his stuff with Weldon Irvine Fred Smith of Television Rusty Allen, bass on Sly Stone's 'In time' album Lequient 'Duke' Jobe of Rose Royce John Siegler (Todd Rundgren and Utopia)

I've found the Marshall VBC412 a very efficient cab. A real pain to lug around but sounds amazing with my GK800rb, also sounded great with 100watt valve heads; paired very well with the '70s V4B I used to have, quite an SVT beater for a mortal like me. I was astounded how much louder the same settings (at gigs and rehearsals) were when going from an SVT410e, which is a nice sounding cab otherwise. I can't quote specs, but maybe a combination of a big sealed compartmented box and 100watt 12s getting worked hard maybe. Good for a band with a lock-up rehearsal room and a van! I'll get my coat...

I've yet to hear any mention of his great playing on Robert Palmer's 'Every kind of people', apologies if I've missed it elsewhere. A great P bass sound on that record; equally as fat and clear a sound up the 'dusty end' or on the low E. One of those records that cropped up on the radio when you were a kid that formed your taste in sound, gear, what a bass does in a track, counter melodies etc, certainly true for me. 'What's going on' is a great showcase and contrast for both Jamerson and Babbit and their respective attributes. Pretty nifty songs, arrangements, production and so on too, it doesn't get much better really.

Thanks for that, I'll contact them later. I cannot believe how loud the old 400RBs are through an Ampeg fridge or a Marshall VBC 412...wish I'd dropped on one years ago. Cheers, Martin

Hi Richard, sorry to dig up this old issue, I assume the amp is long gone now. I use a UK voltage 800RB and sometimes a US model 400RB (same era) with a 2KW step down, I love both amps; they've caused me to fall off the valve amp bandwagon after 2 decades, a long, long story! I'd just like to know how this saga resolved...the aforementioned repair emporium gave me some advice about an early '70s SVT I used to have and it was, er, a little wide of the mark, and also OTT. My usual repair bloke fixed it very easily, can't praise him highly enough. I'm not saying that to discredit them, to be fair it was over the phone. My 400RB likewise only has the 2 tabs and is earthed to the chassis. I'd be grateful for any help on this, up to now I'd been blissfully ignorant but resenting lugging a heavy stepdown around! Cheers, Martin.