Transporting tube amps, does orientation matter?

[gnjpowell]

Transporting tube amps, does orientation matter? By that I mean the orientation of the tubes during transport. Any benefit to having the tubes pointed up, down or on their sides to reduce damage potential during transport?

[RickenBoogie]

What type of transport? Big difference between in your van vs. in a freightliner.

[BassmanPaul]

For years tubes have been shot into space and installed into jet fighter aircraft. Compared to that, a trip to the gig and back is nothing. Musicians have been shoving tube amps into any convenient nook or cranny in the "van" with no side effects whatsoever. What do you think? They're made of glass or something?

[will33]

Fender hangs theirs upside down, the little Marshall JTM30 has them mounted sideways, the SVT has them sticking out the top. All these things got to the store on a truck full of freight and nobody pays attention to the "this side up" arrow.

[chaosMK]

I always check my power tubes after every transport. This is with a ~25 year old Bass 400 though. The other one I owned had slightly loose power tube plugs as well (and blew a few fuses at the worst times before I caught on to what the problem was). My more modern guitar amp is way more robust, those tubes would be tight after a bad pickup bed ride.

[ReverseFender94]

This is slightly off topic, but should I be concerned about a tube or SS amp being damaged during transport in the back of a van or truck? I always get scared that my amp is gonna get damaged.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Originally Posted by gnjpowell

Transporting tube amps, does orientation matter? By that I mean the orientation of the tubes during transport. Any benefit to having the tubes pointed up, down or on their sides to reduce damage potential during transport?

If the retainers are the correct type for the tube in question (Eden ) and in good shape, and if the mica is touching the glass, the orientation doesn't matter.

If the mica doesn't touch the glass, like in EH KT88 or some other (cheapo) lantern-glass or coke-bottle envelope, transporting 'em sideways can make the internal structure to shift, possibly shorting something. Easy to re-align by tapping the tube though if You happen to notice it.

Originally Posted by ReverseFender94

This is slightly off topic, but should I be concerned about a tube or SS amp being damaged during transport in the back of a van or truck? I always get scared that my amp is gonna get damaged.

If it can't slide and bump onto something when cornering or braking, then IME no.

If there was something that would fail during the transport, it would fail during the rough handling the amp recieves on gigs as well.

Regards
Sam

[Sartori]

Just make sure that the amp is packed in the van/truck/whatever in such a way that it can't move around when you go around turns or brake hard.

[ReverseFender94]

Alright, so I shouldn't worry about bumps and potholes so much?

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by chaosMK

I always check my power tubes after every transport. This is with a ~25 year old Bass 400 though. The other one I owned had slightly loose power tube plugs as well (and blew a few fuses at the worst times before I caught on to what the problem was). My more modern guitar amp is way more robust, those tubes would be tight after a bad pickup bed ride.

So, you're saying that the younger (newer) it is the tighter it will be?

[will33]

Originally Posted by Jeff Scott

So, you're saying that the younger (newer) it is the tighter it will be?

What?

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by Jeff Scott

So, you're saying that the younger (newer) it is the tighter it will be?

You can have them retightened, or as I like to call it, "The Daddy Stitc..." er...retensioning the sockets.

[oinkbanana]

I'd be worried about huge heavy transformers on their sides bending the chassis.

i'm sure we've all seen this picture of the AD200 from planet of the amps:

or is that from someone dropping the amp?



I bought an orange guitar amp, and the previous owner used to store it on its side -- it warped the chassis screws

(the one on the right is a straight one from another amp)


I worry about someone putting my SVT2pro rack upside down. that bitch is heavy and i wouldn't trust it on anything but on it's feet.

[JimmyM]

I see no reason to transport anything heavy other than its regular orientation.

[1958Bassman]

Originally Posted by gnjpowell

Transporting tube amps, does orientation matter? By that I mean the orientation of the tubes during transport. Any benefit to having the tubes pointed up, down or on their sides to reduce damage potential during transport?

If you're really concerned, remove them and put them in a well-padded hard case. Harbor Freight has several and they come with foam inside, that can be removed as needed to fit the tubes. If it's going across town and you'll be in control of it, don't worru too much.

[EASonBass]

My '69 SVT has been hauled all over heck and back without issues from tubes (other issues, but not the tubes). Guitar player had an open back Fender something or other and some bits found their way into the back which took out the glass.

[ZachM]

Originally Posted by oinkbanana

I'd be worried about huge heavy transformers on their sides bending the chassis.

I don't let my amp be stored or transported in any position but right-side up for this reason, transformers in bass amps put a lot of strain on the chassis.

As far as amp orientation regarding the tubes, I don't really know of any adverse effects, but I'm relatively new to tube amps. Tubes seem to be pretty tough, I would think that as long as nothing is knocking against the tubes that they would be alright.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Originally Posted by oinkbanana

I'd be worried about huge heavy transformers on their sides bending the chassis.

Well engineered and well made chassis doesn't bend unless inertia forces it to. One of the reasons Jim Marshall switched from aluminium to steel back in the day.

Originally Posted by oinkbanana

I bought an orange guitar amp, and the previous owner used to store it on its side -- it warmed the chassis screws

(the one on the right is a straight one from another amp)

LOL.

You mean the amp over-heated so badly that the 6mm steel screws bent?

Like well over 800C or so?

A joke, right?

Regards
Sam

[Calaverasgrande]

Orientation has nothing to do with it. What next, domestic partner benefits for guitar amps?

[bb5000]

Back in the early 80's I had a Bassman 100, I often had to pick up the tubes from the bottom of the amp cabinet since they had come loose..