Mute switch but no standby

X

Xandeeno

New member
I have bought a fender bassbreaker 15. It has a mute switch but no standby switch. The mute switch is intended for silent recording via the xlr out but I wonder, should I still use it like a standby switch when turning the amp off and on? If not how can I protect the tubes?
Thanks
 
Re: Mute switch but no standby

Xandeeno said:
I have bought a fender bassbreaker 15. It has a mute switch but no standby switch. The mute switch is intended for silent recording via the xlr out but I wonder, should I still use it like a standby switch when turning the amp off and on? If not how can I protect the tubes?
Thanks
Click to expand...

In reality, Standby switches don't really do much to protect the tubes especially not receiving valves like the stuff used in guitar amps, and they don't do much to extend the life of receiving tubes either.

Historically they were mostly used as mute switches, so the equipment could be silenced when the band needed to take a break, they never were intended to extend tube life, but some misinformation, and the fact that many companies just copied fender designs that had them, perpetuated the belief you had to have them. There are a number of good discussions about this online, and there's a great article written by Merlin Blencow below:
http://www.valvewizard.co.uk/standby.html
 
Re: Mute switch but no standby

I don't think you can hurt it that way, but I also don't think you can hurt it by not using it, either. I am sure they tested standby vs no standby, and decided it didn't need it. Not all tube amps have a standby, also.
 
Re: Mute switch but no standby

But you still need to get tubes warm before pushing them, even without standby right?
 
Re: Mute switch but no standby

I have an early 70's Super Reverb. I turn it on, get out a guitar, plug in some pedals, find a pick, and play. When I'm done, I shut it off. This seems to work well.
 
Re: Mute switch but no standby

Maybe

Mute = Standby + Marketing

On my Marshall JVM, if you turn the amp on but use it in standby, it mutes the output but leaves the preamp and DI output functional.
 
Re: Mute switch but no standby

On your Marshall the Standby turns off the B+ Plate voltage to the output tubes while leaving the heaters on. On the Bassbreaker I'm pretty sure it dumps the output of the tubes into a dummy load.

So, no, the mute button on the Bassbreaker is nothing like a standby switch.
 
Re: Mute switch but no standby

No it's not, but the argument is whether a standby switch is merited at all, and by the evidence I have been presented with over the years, the answer is that a stand by switch serves very little to no practical purpose for receiving valves, and is just a hold over from days yore. It doesn't lead to cathode stripping or poisoning and there is some evedince that shows leaving the heaters blaring and cold hitting the plate is is worse for receiving valves, than letting it warm up naturally. If companies were really worried about tube life, they would invest in soft starts.
 
Last edited:
Re: Mute switch but no standby

I read awhile back that the standby switch was originally intended for certain maintenance services. I *think* it was on the Wampler blog.
 
Re: Mute switch but no standby

So what I'm taking from this is that I should put the amp in mute, turn it on and let it warm up for a bit then play like normal?
 
Re: Mute switch but no standby

Xandeeno said:
So what I'm taking from this is that I should put the amp in mute, turn it on and let it warm up for a bit then play like normal?
Click to expand...

only if you want to. Or have the mute off and just hit power. The mute has no applicable function beside being a mute..
 
Re: Mute switch but no standby

I take it I should at least have volume down and wait for a bit to let the tubes warm up?
 
Re: Mute switch but no standby

If it puts you at ease you certainly can. Electrically It wont matter, the mute circuit or the volume pot wont have any effect on warm up time, or valve life.
 
Mute switch but no standby

I have a bias probe that measures the rise in plate voltage from when you switch your amp on until full voltage is flowing....literally about 15-20 seconds is all thats required for warmup.
 
Re: Mute switch but no standby

Your tubes are going to warm up at the same rate no matter where your volume knob or the mute switch is. Turn the amp on, play it until you're done, then shut it off. Don't worry.
 
Re: Mute switch but no standby

Alright thanks, I'll just turn it on mute it to avoid hum while not playing for a 30 second warm up then start playing :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Securb
Cook 'em or keep 'em?
Replies
13
Views
568
Ascension
Ascension
G
Single Humbucker - 3-Way Switch for coilsplitting and killswitch - questions
Replies
15
Views
969
GeorgB96
G
CrispySonOfA
HH Single Tone, Single Volume, 5 Way Import Switch.
Replies
1
Views
51
Artie
Artie
M
StewMac Free-Way 5-Way/10-Position Switch
Replies
9
Views
573
Juanhanglo
J
S
Mosky Golden Horse
Replies
14
Views
455
Chistopher
C
Back
Top