Live Tube Amp User's Toolkit

[rockstarbassist]

Imma about to pick up a Mesa 400+ this weekend. It'll be my first time actually gigging with an all-tube amp if it's up to snuff (which am sure it is) .
I did a quick search but didn't find anything solid about what are the basics to have in your gigbag for gigging with a tube amp?

I already keep my Radial JDI for any amp failure, screwdriver with 3 sizes of Phillips and flathead, a few Allen wrenches, etc.. I'd think you'd want a preamp tube, coupla fuses, ya? I've been playing for years but am still a nuub when it comes to tube amps, so if a power tube fails, does the whole amp shut off? Just didn't know if it would be worth it carry around multiple spare power tubes, especially since this'n has a 12 pack!

Thanks breauxs.

[GeneralElectric]

Preamp tubes don't usually blow. Its usually a power tube. Someone on TB had a cathode lift mod which disengages pairs of power tubes at a time the flick of a switch (more flicks of more switches disengages even more) Not only is this good for curbing the awesome volume of the 400+ it helps if you burn a power tube out.

[JimmyM]

my toolkit for my svt and b-15 is as follows:

[Sliderbass]

Jimmy:

All That?

How do you carry it?

Do you have roadies?

How much do you pay them?

Hiring?


Sorry....

If it helps, I don't carry spare parts either. I keep a Di just in case something blows-up and the head's DI goes down. If a tube amp does bad on a gig, odds are you're not going to be able to restore it to 100% normal operation. You MAY be able to get it back working only to have it really go bad again.

[KramerBassFan]

IMHO, if something breaks, i am not opening one of my toob amps up on stage.

There is the "open beer factor", the uncontrolled environment, the fact i don't have any of my tools with me, or a variac.

Not to mention, if something does go out, i likely won't have it with me.

Best tool to bring in case a tube amp breaks on stage is another amp/DI.

If anything, i'll just, heaven forbid, mime the rest of my parts.

Although, i do bring spare fuses. Thats about as far as i'd go..

[Caca de Kick]

My Mesa 400 and B15R tool kit is the same as Jimmy's.

[Jim C]

My toolkit is the backup amp in the trunk of the car.
Our guitar players carry a spare 12AX7.

[anonymous02282011]

I had a power tube blow on me once in my 70 SVT. I knew a resistor had gone with it by the smell. It was a quick fix, but nothing I could repair a few minutes before the gig.

Fortunately I had my EA Doubler (2 pounds, enough watts) in the trunk of my car. I usually just use the Doubler with upright bass, but it sounded great and got the job done.

[rockstarbassist]

I guess that does make sense. I'm not a techie person at all so yeah- even if I HAD the parts to fix it, chances are I probably couldn't on the fly...

[stiles72]

I used to carry spare light bulbs for my B15 plexi logo in case they burned out, but have since changed to LED's so I don't carry them anymore.

[AwkwardLoudness]

In addition to fuses, screwdrivers, and basic tools, I take an oven mitt and a set of extra power tubes in case I need to swap all of them quickly. Most repairs are too time consuming to do during a gig.

[username1]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

my toolkit for my svt and b-15 is as follows:

Wow! that is identical to my toolkit also

[JimmyM]

you know, i probably should bring a couple fuses.

[beans-on-toast]

Originally Posted by rockstarbassist

Imma about to pick up a Mesa 400+ this weekend.

Congratulations on the new amp!

Changing tubes at a gig is difficult. If you are on the road, having spares can save you some grief.

If a power tube blows, having one spare might help. Then again, sometimes when a tube blows it could take out other components and the problem becomes more serious. A tech would then have to look at the amp. So plugging in a spare may or may not help. In the 400+ the power tubes are operated fairly conservatively. Blowing power tubes is not normally something that you need to be concerned about.

I think that it is more important to avoid thermal and mechanical shocks. Try not to bounce the amp around too much. Mounting it in a shock absorbing case is a good idea. Let the tubes come to room temperature before turning the amp on or taking it out into the cold.

Having spare fuses is always a good idea. As is one of those power line testers with the three LED's that tells you if your power outlet is wired properly. You can get them at a hardware store.

[BassmanPaul]

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

Someone on TB had a cathode lift mod which disengages pairs of power tubes at a time the flick of a switch (more flicks of more switches disengages even more) Not only is this good for curbing the awesome volume of the 400+ it helps if you burn a power tube out.

And each click moves the correct matching to the load further and further away from ideal. That can cost you power tubes.

Paul

[anderbass]

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

Someone on TB had a cathode lift mod which disengages pairs of power tubes at a time the flick of a switch

Hey that was me:

[GeneralElectric]

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

And each click moves the correct matching to the load further and further away from ideal. That can cost you power tubes.

Paul

I used that on one of my 400+'s for 2 years without a single issue.

[XtraLongScale]

My toolkit: a backup 800RB in the trunk. I'll likely never have to use it but it gives me peace of mind.

[BassmanPaul]

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

I used that on one of my 400+'s for 2 years without a single issue.

You're a very lucky man!

Paul

[RickenBoogie]

A good preamp/DI box is all the amp toolkit necessary.