Solid state back up ampin case of tube failure
 

I'm a fairly new user of tube amps and am now using a 'hybrid' head (tube pre-amp and solid state power amp).

I know that tubes are effectively consumables with these amps and will need replacing from time to time. What I am not so sure about is whether they can be liable to sudden failure any more than solid state amps. If they are then I am minded to buy and carry around a small 'back up' solid state amp like a PF-500 or GK MB500 in case my tube amp head fails. In the band I play with now we sometimes travel a fair distance to play wedding and other high profile gigs where equipment failure would be catastrophic.

I know in principle you could end up carrying a spare everything in case something breaks. But are tubes liable to sudden failure with no warning?

Thanks in advance.

PS: Apologies for the typos in the post title. I can't work out how to change that!

There are pre amp tubes out there that have survived SS amps. You could go ages with out service, same as any other amp.

That's really not true and applies more to power tubes than preamp tubes.

Preamp tubes can easily last forever. So can power tubes for that matter. Occasionally a tube can go bad and it will need to be replaced, but it's not nearly as often as some make it out to be.

With just the pre amp being tube, the tubes being your only concern, and assuming you have an effects loop, I'd just pick up a sans amp BDDI or VTDI and in case of emergency you can just stick it in the power amp in and run it as your pre.

I say sans amp simply because I think they're really useful pieces of gear, it would serve as a good source of tone in the event of total failure, and don't need a ton of tweaking to sound good, hence it working well in a pinch. However, any pre would work just as well, such as the Aguilar tone hammer.

I'd choose the extra pre option simply because it's cheaper and you don't have another head to haul around. Slip it in the pocket of your bag, and enjoy the sense of security it gives, or even use it as a tone shaping device before your amp.

Heck, if you really want to do it on the cheap, pick up the Behringer copy of the BDDI for 30 bucks. I assume you're pretty well off financially if you have a tube amp, but who doesn't like saving money?

That's great news - thanks.

And when a tube does go bad is it sudden and likely to result in the amp not working at all? Or would I be likely to still get through a gig with it?

That would depend on the nature of the failure. Personally, I wouldn't expect to get through a gig.

i have had solid state amps blow up, (including a brand new ampeg pro right out of the box sent to me by the company on the third note). never blew up a tube amp. thats my experience so far.

also, if a power amp tube dies, the others keep on working and it still plays. blow one transistor, and its all over.

My 1964 B-15NC
 

David,
I still have the original set of Sylvania tubes that came with my Ampeg B-15N and they work just fine. From my perspective tubes are just as reliable as solid state.

Ric

Edit your post, click on advanced and you can edit you title.

Yes tubes can suffer from sudden failure. As others have said, this can happen with any amp and a transistor can fail as well. I backup is always good to have and a good form of insurance.

Normally tubes don't fail all of a sudden. If they do, I find that it usually happens when they are new. One way to circumvent this from happening is to buy tubes from a seller that burns them in. The idea is, to stress test the tube for 24 to 48 hours to ensure that there are no issues. Tubes can last for years.

For any gigging amp, you should have a tech service it yearly. Clean the inside, apply Deoxit where necessary on jacks, pots, tube sockets, and check that it is performing to spec. A catastrophic failure can occur if a component blows. A checkup can prevent this.

Taking care of your amp can also help. Mechanical and thermal shock are not good things. Don't bounce the amp around when transporting it. If it is exposed to cold or damp conditions, let it acclimatize before powering it up. Just use common sense.

Hi.

Then a spare amp and perhaps even a cab wouldn't be too far fetched idea regardless whether there's tubes in the amp or not.

If You guys have a PA that can handle bass, a DI can literally save the night.

IME not more than any piece of gear that is maintained as it should.
Any neglected gear however is always a gamble.

Regards.
Sam

The main root causes of amp failure are mechanical-- switches, pots, solder joints, connectors, etc.