My amp is starting to suck, but I've never done this before. Someone said to take it to a guitar guy and pay 100$+ to get it fixed. If so, do I have to pay for the tubes as well or is that covered in whatever I'm going to pay?


Is it feasible to do it on my own with zero experience?


Have you done it before? Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks

It's definitely feasible to do it on your own. I changed out my tubes on my own in under two hours last year. There are some well put together tube changing videos on Youtube that are VERY helpful that you should definitely watch before just going at it.

A couple of other things:

-Getting the right tubes for your amp is very important.

-Try not to touch the tubes with your bare hands because apparently the oils from human skin can shorten the tubes' lifespan.

-You may be able to change the tubes on your own but you may want to get them biased by a professional.

Shit forgot something... Definitely request a pin straightener from wherever you buy your tubes. Pin straighteners straighten the pins (derp) on pre amp tubes and they will make replacing the pre amp tubes hell of a lot easier.

Thanks for the awesome information,

One question to that is: Where do you buy them? Common music store, or is there a specialty store you go to?

there are many music stores that carry them but it might be better to search on the internet and order some that you specifically would want more than something they just might have in stock.

When I had my tube amp, I always bought my tubes from http://www.dougstubes.com. Tell him what you have, what you don't like about the tone and what you'd like to improve, and he'll suggest a tube set that will fit 100% with your amp and will make the tonal changes you want, as long as they're feasibly in the 'tube change' domain.

sweet I'll probably go use that site as well. I have a Sunn Enforcer that I hate the tubes in cause they are to clean sounding for the amp.

I managed to get nearly what I wanted from Guitar Center. You could probably do better but that's obviously up to you.

Pre amp tubes are simple to replace and are just "plug & play."
Power amp tubes should really be checked/biased whenever you install them. I'd have someone experienced do it if you never did it before.