when i turn the amp all the way up, it starts to fail on me. it goes up and down in volume, fizzes in and out, crackles soft and loud, and just generally acts like a total dick. is this just a indication it needs new tubes? or is it more serious?

New tubes.

__________________
-Goose

whew.

now, do you know any sites where i could learn to install new tubes? i know it can kill me, even unplugged, but that's a risk im willing to take.

http://www.eurotubes.com/

His shop sells JJ's. Depending on you amp you can get sets he has.

wow, cool!

thanks!

wurd.

What type of amp do you have? I am getting a set for my 5150 soo when I feel like cashing my checks

And I am saving up for a vader cab \m/

it's a crate Vintage Club 50. before you laugh, read what people say on harmony central... listen to this thing... and tell me that this amp isn't of as good tonal quality as any of your 2000 dollar botique amps, for 300 bucks.

im fixing to put in a new set of JJs from that site, and i think im gonna throw in a pair of cannabis rex speakers in there.

it's sick. my band is basing our guitar sound off of the crate vintage and vintage club amps, simply because they kick so much ass, and are so damned cheap.

Hell nah, Crate kick ass. Yes it is no Engl Invader or Diezel Herbet, but the Crates I have tried get a cool old school death metal tone if pushed hard enough Throw a tubescreamer infront of that bitch with it's gain down and the level a bit past 12 o'clock and tone to taste. mmmm Tasty.

Those JJ's will make it scream.

you wanna know whats better then a tubescreamer... get a electro harmonix LPB 2ube stereo preamp.

it's this obnoxiously big pedal with two tubes sticking out of it, and it improves your tone by a good deal, as well as operating as a booster, really driving the shit out of your amp, if you run the two channels in a chain with a short cable, it suddenly becomes a VERY customizable distortion pedal that will SLAY virtually every distortion/overdrive pedal out there. it's 190 bucks, but believe me, it really kicks ass.

Dont turn your tube amp all the way up....thats what blows the tubes. I know its stupid....they should not be made to go loud enough to break the tubes....but shit happens....