Mailist to discuss all issues regarding the Digitech GSP-2101 Guitar FX Processor

So my preamp tube has been in there for 8 years.  When is it necessary 
to replace these tubes?  Can I replace them myself?  AKA Pop it open 
and pop them in?  

Any recommendation on what kind of tubes.

And on a random not, I play my 2101 artist through a Marshall 9100 and 
lately I think the power tubes of my 9100 have finally broken in 
because it sounds so friggin good.  I will never be able to own a 
normal head ever again.  Just not worth it.  OK.  That's it.

preamp tubes can and do last for years and years -- that's why you
will see these old pulls from 60's and 70's amps.

If they are not microphonic or failing, there's no NEED to replace
them.  However, experimenting with different preamp tubes is
relatively cheap and can yield significant differences in tone.

In my 2101, I put in NOS JAN/Philips 12ax7's because I wanted smoother
breakup (more bluesy, less harsh).  They sound great. The Groove Tube
"Mullard Reissues" (12ax7M) sound good and I've got those in my
Marshall combo -- they can be had for around $20 if you search ("real"
NOS Mullards are expensive as hell, and there are a lot of
"questionable" NOS Mullards out there -- that is, they are not really
"new, old stock" but used-pulls from older equipment).  Also good are
the JJ (labeled ECC83S) from Bob at Eurotubes (www.eurotubes.com).

Changing the preamp tubes in the 2101 is simple -- getting the cover
off is most of the work, and that's just removing the screws. 
Sometimes different tubes have pins that are rough or don't line up
perfectly with the tube socket, so be firm but gentle when pushing in
the new tubes.  Like any tube amplifier, the preamp tube in v1 (the
first tube) will affect tone the most (it's used all the time, v2 is
for the high gain stuff).

Greg

--- In gsp-2101@yahoogroups.com, "Brian Kou" <jeffgeorgebomb@y...> wrote:

> So my preamp tube has been in there for 8 years.  When is it necessary 
> to replace these tubes?  Can I replace them myself?  AKA Pop it open 
> and pop them in?  
> 
> Any recommendation on what kind of tubes.
> 
> And on a random not, I play my 2101 artist through a Marshall 9100 and 
> lately I think the power tubes of my 9100 have finally broken in 
> because it sounds so friggin good.  I will never be able to own a 
> normal head ever again.  Just not worth it.  OK.  That's it.