I just bought an Ampeg tube head. Now what?

Eskimo Spy · #1 12-30-2010, 12:44 PM

I just bought a new Ampeg SVT-CL. It's my first tube head. So, what do I need to know? What should I do when I first get it? (other than make sure it's plugged into a cab before I turn it on!)

Maintenance? Care? Suggestions?

Jim Campbell · #2 12-30-2010, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eskimo Spy

I just bought a new Ampeg SVT-CL. It's my first tube head. So, what do I need to know? What should I do when I first get it? (other than make sure it's plugged into a cab before I turn it on!)

Maintenance? Care? Suggestions?

make sure your impedance matches the cab(s),let i warm up before you start wailin' on it,make sure the tubes haven't loosened up in transit....

MK1 · #3 12-30-2010, 12:54 PM

If you're bringing it in from a cold car let it warm up to room temp before firing it up. And let it cool down after a show before you load it.

stiles72 · #4 12-30-2010, 12:57 PM

Make sure it runs at either a 4 or 2 ohm load, then play the hell out of it!

Classickbass · #5 12-30-2010, 01:00 PM

And, since you have never had a tube amp before, turn the Standby switch on a few minutes before turning the Power switch on.

butterbean · #6 12-30-2010, 01:04 PM

Classickbass do you want to rephrase that?
Didn't you mean you want to power it up a couple before you flip the standby switch on?

Blacksack · #7 12-30-2010, 01:14 PM

i think the most important step is while you wait for it to warm up is to step back and admire it for a while before muttering the words "f**k yes" and plugging your bass in

paganjack · #8 12-30-2010, 01:20 PM

-Plug into an appropriate impedance load (2/4 ohms)
-Turn the power on, leave it in standby mode for at least 30sec
-Turn off standby
-CRANK ALL THE KNOBS
-Destroy your windows and rattle your foundations.
-Get a noise complaint from your neighbors.

JGR · #9 12-30-2010, 01:21 PM

Also, let the amp cool off for a bit before moving it if you can. Tubes are less fragile when they are cool.

Classickbass · #10 12-30-2010, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by butterbean

Classickbass do you want to rephrase that?
Didn't you mean you want to power it up a couple before you flip the standby switch on?

Wow, I am dyslexic now...I may jump behind a bus and kill myself.

Eskimo Spy · #11 12-30-2010, 01:52 PM

So...

Check the tubes when it arrives, make sure they're seated well.

Ensure that the head is set to 4 ohms to match the 410HLF cab.

Make sure I never fire up the head without a speaker load attached.

Let it warm to room temps if brought in from a cold car.

Turn on and leave in standby for a few minutes.

Engage and destroy.

Be smug and smarmy about owning an all-tube Ampeg head, regardless of where it was made.

Let it cool down before moving it. (How long is long enough before I move it?)

Jeff Scott · #12 12-30-2010, 01:54 PM

Make sure you have a tube speaker cabinet, those transistor cabinets don't work so well with tubes.

Eskimo Spy · #13 12-30-2010, 01:57 PM

I'll also make sure the bumper bearings are oiled and that the signal fluid is new.

Caca de Kick · #14 12-30-2010, 02:20 PM

Synthetic signal fluid is lightyears better.

coreyfyfe · #15 12-30-2010, 02:21 PM

Standby for about 30 seconds should be fine, no need to wait minutes.

I usually pack up all my other gear before I move my amp. If you're doing a multi-band gig moving off stage/back stage isn't a problem but I usually give it at least 10 minutes to cool until I go carrying the SVT out to the car and bumping it all around in the process.

ko stradivarius · #16 12-30-2010, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eskimo Spy

I'll also make sure the bumper bearings are oiled and that the signal fluid is new.

Also check the O-ring assembly every month and the Fetzer valve at least once a year.

alembicguy · #17 12-30-2010, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ko stradivarius

Also check the O-ring assembly every month and the Fetzer valve at least once a year.

I have one of the NOS Fetzer valve! Much better than the cheap new ones

Eskimo Spy · #18 12-30-2010, 03:04 PM

It's all ball bearings these days, fellas.

Winnb · #19 12-30-2010, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eskimo Spy

I just bought a new Ampeg SVT-CL. It's my first tube head. So, what do I need to know? What should I do when I first get it? (other than make sure it's plugged into a cab before I turn it on!)

Maintenance? Care? Suggestions?

Buy a hand truck.

Sartori · #20 12-30-2010, 03:17 PM

Check all the tubes and stuff, make sure it's warmed up to room temperature, switch on the power for a little while (couple minutes is plenty), then switch it off standby and crank it until the cops come.