Re: Boosting a tube amp??
First off... NO QUESTION IS A "DUMB QUESTION". This information about tube amps, or anything else for that matter, doesnt come conveniently pre-programed into our heads. It's something we ALL knew JACK-@%$# about (aside from the fact that it makes an electric guitar sound loud) until we learned in one way or another, usually from asking someone who does know (which with tube amps can be a MUCH less expensive way), or from sitting down with one and just going for it, which I personally do not recommend. A good Tube Head you can safely price around $1000 new, give or take. Say you buy one and a cab, you take em home set em up, plug your guitar in, flip the power, give it a bit to warm up, and then take it off standby and you hear a noise but it wasnt from the cab. You assume you're ok, roll up the volume on your guitar, take a good strum, and............. NOTHING!! You still leave it all on (because you are new and no one told you if you EVER even THINK there may be a problem with your tube amp, IMMEDIATELY shut it OFF) and as you're lookin it over, you spot the problem and you're happy because it's a simple fix, you just forgot to connect the audio cable in the cab into the output on the back of your head! WRONG!! Unfortunately, you'd most likely get it situated and find nothing changed... Because, most likely you just TOASTED the transformer, which is only one of, if not the most expensive component in your amp!... JUST LIKE THAT, somewhere around a grand just got flushed down the drain if you dont have a warranty. And even if you do, if you're clueless enough that you're honest about it with whoever's customer service, well then, they just recorded you telling them how it was your fault and they don't HAVE to cover it if they choose not to. And best case, it gets covered (likely only partially) and you are still out an amp for what can easily take WEEKS before they get you all set again.
One seemingly simple mistake, that wouldnt be an issue of ANY kind with a solidstate amp, can ruin the WHOLE party quite literally. And if you don't know, it's all too likely a thing that can easily be overlooked, especially in all the excitement a person feels when they are getting ready to play their own tube amp for the 1st time.
Moral of the story.... NO QUESTION IS A DUMB QUESTION
That's one of the MAIN reasons these forums are here my man! For us to share our collective experience, and to help eachother out! Now, sometimes we may ask questions and get an answer or answers we don't want to hear (I'm talkin ANSWERS not opinions here), like "no, a 120watt tube head is not designed to be played at bedroom level"... FACTS... No matter how much we may hate to hear it, it's just the TRUTH. Now, another may follow by saying his sounds great in his bedroom at low volume. This is his opinion, and it's great that he happens to like the sound of his 120watt head in his bedroom, he's happy and that's what is most important. The FACT that the amp was not intended in any way for such a purpose does NOT mean that it CANNOT be used this way, and it does not mean some people won't find they like it just fine. You may use the same amp the same way and like it yourself after asking the question and getting the answer, which IS infact the TRUTH, but you decide to go for it and like the outcome. AND... If you do so, and feel this way, IT DOES NOT MAKE YOU IGNORANT OR STUPID IN ANY WAY!! A person likes what they like, and EVERY human being has the right to exactly that. These lines too often get blurred, and it's unfortunate. I have a garage, and a 120watt head, and I play it LOOOOOUD, and YES, that IS exactly what it was designed for, and if I was asked that question, that's the answer I would give without a doubt. HOWEVER, if the person who asked then decided to buy the same gear and use it in his bedroom and then decided he liked it. GOOD FOR THAT GUY! And if he jumped back on and told me I was wrong. He'd be wrong then... And while I may even mention it to him, I'd still let him know that I'm very glad he likes his gear and I'm happy it makes him feel good and want to pick up his guitar. Things in this world are far more than black n white, even with FACTS involved. The HUMAN element is a variable that puts the spin of personality and personal preference on anything you hold it up to, and it's far more powerful, meaningful, and interesting than ANY facts ever could be! So be comfortable in your skin, always, and keep on asking questions. I can assure, in the end, you'll end up FAR brighter than ANY person glued to the idea they can wing it all on their own, AND you'll save yourself from a #%$@-ton of mistakes along your way!
Originally posted by devastone
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One seemingly simple mistake, that wouldnt be an issue of ANY kind with a solidstate amp, can ruin the WHOLE party quite literally. And if you don't know, it's all too likely a thing that can easily be overlooked, especially in all the excitement a person feels when they are getting ready to play their own tube amp for the 1st time.
Moral of the story.... NO QUESTION IS A DUMB QUESTION
That's one of the MAIN reasons these forums are here my man! For us to share our collective experience, and to help eachother out! Now, sometimes we may ask questions and get an answer or answers we don't want to hear (I'm talkin ANSWERS not opinions here), like "no, a 120watt tube head is not designed to be played at bedroom level"... FACTS... No matter how much we may hate to hear it, it's just the TRUTH. Now, another may follow by saying his sounds great in his bedroom at low volume. This is his opinion, and it's great that he happens to like the sound of his 120watt head in his bedroom, he's happy and that's what is most important. The FACT that the amp was not intended in any way for such a purpose does NOT mean that it CANNOT be used this way, and it does not mean some people won't find they like it just fine. You may use the same amp the same way and like it yourself after asking the question and getting the answer, which IS infact the TRUTH, but you decide to go for it and like the outcome. AND... If you do so, and feel this way, IT DOES NOT MAKE YOU IGNORANT OR STUPID IN ANY WAY!! A person likes what they like, and EVERY human being has the right to exactly that. These lines too often get blurred, and it's unfortunate. I have a garage, and a 120watt head, and I play it LOOOOOUD, and YES, that IS exactly what it was designed for, and if I was asked that question, that's the answer I would give without a doubt. HOWEVER, if the person who asked then decided to buy the same gear and use it in his bedroom and then decided he liked it. GOOD FOR THAT GUY! And if he jumped back on and told me I was wrong. He'd be wrong then... And while I may even mention it to him, I'd still let him know that I'm very glad he likes his gear and I'm happy it makes him feel good and want to pick up his guitar. Things in this world are far more than black n white, even with FACTS involved. The HUMAN element is a variable that puts the spin of personality and personal preference on anything you hold it up to, and it's far more powerful, meaningful, and interesting than ANY facts ever could be! So be comfortable in your skin, always, and keep on asking questions. I can assure, in the end, you'll end up FAR brighter than ANY person glued to the idea they can wing it all on their own, AND you'll save yourself from a #%$@-ton of mistakes along your way!
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