410-HD 130 w/ Broken Tube Still Usable? and about Replacing Tubes

RCG

Hey guys, I have an original 410-HD 130 in excellent condition. I've just discovered that one tube is broken. Is there a way I can run the amp safely on less than 4 tubes? I currently have 3 quad GE EL34/6CA7. I've read that on some amps you can use only 2 tubes in a Quad amp but they have to be in pairs and in a certain order. Is this possible with the music man? I do not currently need all 130watts of amplification anyway. Thank you

I would also need some tips on high quality yet affordable tube replacements. (these tubes are probably around 40 years old)

Full Name
Lars Verholt
Music Man Equipment
HD-130 head, 210X cab, 210RH cab, RD-50 110 combo, Sixty-Five 112 combo, RP65-112

Member for

10 years 9 months

lmv Sat, 11/22/2014 - 20:04

The amp is not meant to run with less than the number of tubes it is designed for. JJ tubes, Tung Sol reissues, Sovtek and Peavy are all good tubes to use. The premium Winged C tubes are still available but are getting increasingly expensive since they are not being produced anymore.

Will the amp blow up with only two tubes in it? Probably not. Is it worth trying? No, not in my opinion.

Sincerely,
Lars Verholt

Full Name
Robert Goodman
Music Man Equipment
410-HD 130

Member for

10 years 2 months
Profile picture for user RCG

RCG Sun, 11/23/2014 - 15:24

Thanks very much for your advice, I appreciate it. I don't want to hurt the amp so i haven't ran it at all since discovering the broken tube. I have been looking it up all over google but I cannot find any definitive answer about running a quad Music Man on 2 tubes. I am playing it safe for now and waiting. But i guess ill just have to get new tubes and have the amp biased, whether its on my own or through a reliable tech.

Thanks!
Bob

Full Name
Rodney Tahija
Music Man Equipment
1978 HD130 212
1979 RD65 112

Member for

9 years 3 months
Profile picture for user Rockinroddy

Rockinroddy Wed, 10/07/2015 - 10:58

Oops, posted in incorrect section.

2 or 4 tubes in HD130 212
I recently had a tube failure on my HD130 212, it blew fuse and when I replaced it it sparked and smoked a little bit so I unplugged it. This happened during last set of a 3 hour gig. I ordered 4 new JJ EL34L's and am wondering if should have tech install all of them. The amp was only running 2 at the time. I have the SS version preamp. I only play it on 3 for preamp volume. and 3 on master volume and run it at full power. Will it run too hot with all 4 tubes? Thank you. I am new to this forum.

Music Man Equipment
MM 2-10-65

Member for

10 years 9 months
Profile picture for user mm210

mm210 Wed, 10/07/2015 - 12:43

Do NOT run a SS driver with two tubes. Get a matched quad and run it that way. It SHOULD be biased properly though and on THAT amp, it's not exactly hard. Mike.