quick question about tube amps
- Thread starter Jacew
- Start date
SlyFoxx
Glossless
Re: quick question about tube amps
Well if the tube has burned out it the heater won't work so it would not glow hot. That said, I've left amps on stand-by for months on end without issue. Without any signal the tube just says warm. Any well engineered amp shouldn't mind being left on indefinitely.
Well if the tube has burned out it the heater won't work so it would not glow hot. That said, I've left amps on stand-by for months on end without issue. Without any signal the tube just says warm. Any well engineered amp shouldn't mind being left on indefinitely.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
Re: quick question about tube amps
As Sly has stated, in standby you are only powering the heaters. Many will debate if standby is even needed.
As Sly has stated, in standby you are only powering the heaters. Many will debate if standby is even needed.
Re: quick question about tube amps
Good rule of thumb, if you are walking away for over an hour, turn it off. Standby was IMO best used by gigging musicians to keep Amps warmed up between sets. I've left many Amps on standby by mistake for a week or two. No harm.
Good rule of thumb, if you are walking away for over an hour, turn it off. Standby was IMO best used by gigging musicians to keep Amps warmed up between sets. I've left many Amps on standby by mistake for a week or two. No harm.
Re: quick question about tube amps
If I am away for longer than an hour, I turn it off. If I am between sets, I use standby, If I am going to take a break to eat, I use standby, but any longer than that, I turn it off. I don't have any scientific reason for this, but I do know no tube problems can happen if it is off (unless it is a lightning storm).
If I am away for longer than an hour, I turn it off. If I am between sets, I use standby, If I am going to take a break to eat, I use standby, but any longer than that, I turn it off. I don't have any scientific reason for this, but I do know no tube problems can happen if it is off (unless it is a lightning storm).
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: quick question about tube amps
When I bought my SL-X I used to always turn it on with standby for 60 seconds then on, and to turn it off with standby for 30-60 seconds then off, per conventional wisdom at the time. Then someone who worked in a well-known studio told me most of the damage to electroncis, amps and tubes happens in the initial power-up, so some studios leave their old tube gear running on standby all the time. I tried it. Within two weeks, the last position Marshall-branded Tesla EL-34M developed a crack in the glass and failed. I replaced the set with a matched Tesla EL-34 set. 2-3 weeks later same thing happened again. Replaced with another matched set of Tesla EL-34s. Happened again. Teslas were going out of production about that time. So I went back to my original scheme of 30-60 second standby then on, 30-60 second standby then off and I haven't had the '4th cracked glass' thing happen again, nor has the amp needed anything other than normal cap / dusty pot servicing since. I don't know that I can directly correlate the 'always on/standby' thing with blowing the 4th power tube, but it happened 3 times after switching to leaving it on and only stopped when I changed to turning the amp off again. YMMV.
When I bought my SL-X I used to always turn it on with standby for 60 seconds then on, and to turn it off with standby for 30-60 seconds then off, per conventional wisdom at the time. Then someone who worked in a well-known studio told me most of the damage to electroncis, amps and tubes happens in the initial power-up, so some studios leave their old tube gear running on standby all the time. I tried it. Within two weeks, the last position Marshall-branded Tesla EL-34M developed a crack in the glass and failed. I replaced the set with a matched Tesla EL-34 set. 2-3 weeks later same thing happened again. Replaced with another matched set of Tesla EL-34s. Happened again. Teslas were going out of production about that time. So I went back to my original scheme of 30-60 second standby then on, 30-60 second standby then off and I haven't had the '4th cracked glass' thing happen again, nor has the amp needed anything other than normal cap / dusty pot servicing since. I don't know that I can directly correlate the 'always on/standby' thing with blowing the 4th power tube, but it happened 3 times after switching to leaving it on and only stopped when I changed to turning the amp off again. YMMV.
Jacew
New member
Re: quick question about tube amps
It's heated constantly so temperature is uneven either side of glass... It could stress the tubes physically. Maybe Teslas have thinner glass, or it's uneven in quality or tension?
Temperature varies here from -30 to +25 within a year, and it's known that some car models are much more prone to crack a windshield. Sometimes it's happened without any physical damage occuring.
It's heated constantly so temperature is uneven either side of glass... It could stress the tubes physically. Maybe Teslas have thinner glass, or it's uneven in quality or tension?
Temperature varies here from -30 to +25 within a year, and it's known that some car models are much more prone to crack a windshield. Sometimes it's happened without any physical damage occuring.
devastone
Well-known member
Re: quick question about tube amps
Warm up on standby for 30 - 60 seconds as Beau said to let the tubes come up to working temperature. Usually just put it on standby, mostly so it is already in standby for when it's turned on again, then it's okay to just power down. Leaving it on standby for the power down cycle doesn't really do anything, the tubes aren't going to cool down until after the power is turned off, so it doesn't matter if it sets on standby before you turn power off.
Warm up on standby for 30 - 60 seconds as Beau said to let the tubes come up to working temperature. Usually just put it on standby, mostly so it is already in standby for when it's turned on again, then it's okay to just power down. Leaving it on standby for the power down cycle doesn't really do anything, the tubes aren't going to cool down until after the power is turned off, so it doesn't matter if it sets on standby before you turn power off.
Jacew
New member
Re: quick question about tube amps
Is there a possibility of voltage spike when switching power on with standby switch off? Not that it's good idea to do anyway, but just thinking.
Is there a possibility of voltage spike when switching power on with standby switch off? Not that it's good idea to do anyway, but just thinking.
2ndhandband
New member
Re: quick question about tube amps
Of course. You don't want those tubes getting cold. Honestly leaving them on for longer isn't something I've ever really given thought to. My tube amps come out for gigs and recording, so there's never occasion to leave them on idle for insanely long periods. At home I use either a Crate practice amp I've had for 25 years or the iRig.
Of course. You don't want those tubes getting cold. Honestly leaving them on for longer isn't something I've ever really given thought to. My tube amps come out for gigs and recording, so there's never occasion to leave them on idle for insanely long periods. At home I use either a Crate practice amp I've had for 25 years or the iRig.
Jacew
New member
2ndhandband
New member
Re: quick question about tube amps
I'm gonna throw out there that with what tubes cost you might do better saving your tube gear for gigs and recordings and use other stuff for practicing at home... then this really stops being an issue.
I'm gonna throw out there that with what tubes cost you might do better saving your tube gear for gigs and recordings and use other stuff for practicing at home... then this really stops being an issue.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: quick question about tube amps
My tubes burnt up in studio use. Studio recording is much longer hours on the amp than a gig. Not actually play time, but the time it spends powered up.
My tubes burnt up in studio use. Studio recording is much longer hours on the amp than a gig. Not actually play time, but the time it spends powered up.
2ndhandband
New member
Re: quick question about tube amps
True story. But it's one thing when you're working; burnt out tubes are the price of doing business. It's something else burning them up at home. You don't need epic tone to practice or to write music.
True story. But it's one thing when you're working; burnt out tubes are the price of doing business. It's something else burning them up at home. You don't need epic tone to practice or to write music.
Jacew
New member
Re: quick question about tube amps
I like good tone. That's enough reason for me to use tubes for 80 % of my playing. Mostly, I only use other gear when I have to keep volumes down (one great thing living in the woods is not having neighbours in the shouting distance
).
Pair of EL84's costs a whopping 30 €. I don't really see the point of saving them...
Edit: Plus, practicing with tube amp makes you a better player, as you can, and need, to focus on the dynamics more.
I like good tone. That's enough reason for me to use tubes for 80 % of my playing. Mostly, I only use other gear when I have to keep volumes down (one great thing living in the woods is not having neighbours in the shouting distance
).Pair of EL84's costs a whopping 30 €. I don't really see the point of saving them...
Edit: Plus, practicing with tube amp makes you a better player, as you can, and need, to focus on the dynamics more.
2ndhandband
New member
Re: quick question about tube amps
Whatever works for you, man. I do most of my preparatory work (writing/learning tunes) in my LR and there isn't an amplifier in there at all. Just my iPad plugged into the stereo. Eats a minimum of space and gets the job done.
I like good tone. That's enough reason for me to use tubes for 80 % of my playing. Mostly, I only use other gear when I have to keep volumes down (one great thing living in the woods is not having neighbours in the shouting distance
Pair of EL84's costs a whopping 30 €. I don't really see the point of saving them...
Edit: Plus, practicing with tube amp makes you a better player, as you can, and need, to focus on the dynamics more.
Whatever works for you, man. I do most of my preparatory work (writing/learning tunes) in my LR and there isn't an amplifier in there at all. Just my iPad plugged into the stereo. Eats a minimum of space and gets the job done.
