variac question

[3 cent hero]

well, i know what it is, but i've heard that if you use one it'll damage your amp, this true?

i've been thinking of putting one in the plexi i plan on getting soon, but i heard that they aren't good for the amp, so i wanted to ask knowledgable peoples about it


thnx
will

 

[korinastratkyle]

Re: variac question

EVH used a VariAC on his old Marshall. It was intended for 110V, but he turned it down to 90V. According to Ohm's Law, this would make more current go through the tubes. Putting through more current than the tube is biased to will surely shorten the life of the tubes. Also remember, current is what kills, not voltage!

 

[dystrust]

Re: variac question

You can damage the amp by using a variac, particularly if you turn the voltage up rather than down. For the EVH brown sound, variac your plexi down to about 90 volts. This setting shouldn't be too awful for your amp, but it will be murder on your power tubes. Expect them to last 6 months per set (probably less).

 

[3 cent hero]

Re: variac question

ok, now for question 2 lol... where can i get one? radio shack? :laugh2:

 

[Pandemonium]

Re: variac question

http://www.tone-lizard.com/lesson6.htm

Scroll down past the DPDT switch diagram and read why you should NOT do this.

 

[proxy]

Re: variac question

Variacs ideally were to correct voltage differences between your amp's intended voltage and whats coming out of the wall. For example drop 120 out of the wall to 110 which your vintage amp was designed for.