probably a dumb question, but...

[i love everyone]

i just bought my first tube amp the other day (a Peavey Valveking head), and was wondering...is it okay to turn the standby switch on at the same time as the power? the amp warming up and getting gradually louder makes a cool fade-in effect for the beginning of live sets, but i've been told it's bad for the amp. it hasn't bothered anything yet, but i don't want to cause problems in the future. help?

 

[LesStrat]

Re: probably a dumb question, but...

Actually, it is best to let the amp warm up for a couple of minutes before leaving standby. There was a thread about this a couple of months ago.

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: probably a dumb question, but...

It won't hurt the amp but it can make your tubes die much faster. The idea is to let the cathodes warm up, then apply plate current so as to make the tubes last. Give that amp at least a minute to warm up, then flip the switch and play. Cool effects aren't really worth the extra cost of up-keep.

 

[kneadmomunny]

Re: probably a dumb question, but...

it isn't great for the amp do do that, and it kills your tubes.

my amp seems to fade in even after the tubes have warmed up. so you may try just using that after the tubes are warm. if your amp is different, just turn the volume of the guitar to off and turn everything on properly. when the show starts, roll the volume knob up and you have the same effect.

volume pedals are also pretty cool if you don't like using the knobs.

 

[i love everyone]

Re: probably a dumb question, but...

okay. with that in mind, is it also bad to turn both switches off at the same time?

 

[LesStrat]

Re: probably a dumb question, but...

Off doesn't seem to matter.

 

[lex666]

Re: probably a dumb question, but...

my amp seems to fade in even after the tubes have warmed up. so you may try just using that after the tubes are warm. if your amp is different, just turn the volume of the guitar to off and turn everything on properly. when the show starts, roll the volume knob up and you have the same effect.

volume pedals are also pretty cool if you don't like using the knobs.

+1 use a volume knob or pedal. that's what they're made for and you can even control the volume/speed of the swell...