tube amp standby button

brammerd · #1 06-30-2010, 01:33 PM

I have bought a Ampeg svt-2 pro and it's my first all tube amp and I'm a little in doubt about the standby and power button.

When I turn it on it automatically stays in standby for a few moments but what do I do when I turn it off?

Do I turn on the standby and off the power button or keep on the power button and also turn on the standby button?

Reply's appreciated because I can't find this in the manual.

recreate.me · #2 06-30-2010, 01:36 PM

I dont have a SVT 2 amp, but on my tube amp i make sure when i turn it on it goes to standby then on, and when i turn it off i also go to standby then off. I don't like the idea of cutting power directly, or putting power directly into it when on... I just feel like something bad could happen or its may be damaging haha

I dont know if this is based on anything real, but its just what i like to do..

coreyfyfe · #3 06-30-2010, 01:42 PM

Turning on: Power on, let it sit for 30 seconds, then turn standby off (ie put it into play mode).

Turning off: You can either just turn the amp off or turn the amp to standby then turn it off.

BassmanPaul · #4 06-30-2010, 01:42 PM

Just switch the thing off when you are done. Leaving the standby in the operate position just drains the caps more quickly than the bleeder resistors is all.

Paul

PSPookie · #5 06-30-2010, 01:42 PM

You won't hurt anything by turning the power off without putting the amp into standby mode. I tend to do this in order to drain the caps.

coreyfyfe · #6 06-30-2010, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by recreate.me

I don't like the idea of cutting power directly, or putting power directly into it when on... I just feel like something bad could happen or its may be damaging haha

I dont know if this is based on anything real, but its just what i like to do..

Powering off directly wont harm anything but powering up a tube amp with solid-state rectification (such as the 2-pro) can harm the power tubes. It's best to start up in standby to allow the plates to warm up before applying high-voltage to the power tubes.

mulchor · #7 06-30-2010, 01:51 PM

I switch mine to standby when I turn it off cuz otherwise I forget to when I turn it on.

brammerd · #8 06-30-2010, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mulchor

I switch mine to standby when I turn it off cuz otherwise I forget to when I turn it on.

allright so standby goes on then power goes on

when ready to play standby goes off

when ready to quit standby goes on

then when cooled down power goes off

can anyone confirm?

**Staccato** · #9 06-30-2010, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brammerd

allright so standby goes on then power goes on

when ready to play standby goes off

when ready to quit standby goes on

then when cooled down power goes off

can anyone confirm?

+1

If you're draining caps, why not turn off power directly while guitar & connector are plugged into the input. I would not do this every time the amp is powered down.

Procedure:
Both on (standby first) when powering up.

During use, standby on to change guitar/connector, or taking a short break.

Before powering down, standby on for a minute or so, and then power off, then standby switch can be set off, or remain on.

Do not power on or off without making sure that standby is ON...

StuartV · #10 06-30-2010, 02:12 PM

After you turn standy on, you don't have to wait for it to cool down before turning the power off. As has been said, you don't even have to turn standby on before turning power off.

Like Mulchor, I turn standby on before turning power off 'cause otherwise I'd forget to do it when powering up the next time.

PSPookie · #11 06-30-2010, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brammerd

allright so standby goes on then power goes on

when ready to play standby goes off

when ready to quit standby goes on

then when cooled down power goes off

can anyone confirm?

Everything sounds fine except for the bolded part. The amp won't cool down if the power is on.

MAMMOTHvolume · #12 06-30-2010, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coreyfyfe

Powering off directly wont harm anything but powering up a tube amp with solid-state rectification (such as the 2-pro) can harm the power tubes. It's best to start up in standby to allow the plates to warm up before applying high-voltage to the power tubes.

myth

**Staccato** · #13 06-30-2010, 02:19 PM

Anyone else want to dispel any myths? I'm here to learn...

BassmanPaul · #14 06-30-2010, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAMMOTHvolume

myth

Yes and no. Yes applying HV before the tubes are warm can lead to cathode damage. No 'cos you'd have to leave it that way for quite a long time.

Similarly, leaving the amp in standby, tubes hot but no HV, can do the same thing. Again it would take quite a while.

Paul

MAMMOTHvolume · #15 07-02-2010, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Yes and no. Yes applying HV before the tubes are warm can lead to cathode damage. No 'cos you'd have to leave it that way for quite a long time.

Similarly, leaving the amp in standby, tubes hot but no HV, can do the same thing. Again it would take quite a while.

Paul

normally only applies to directly heated valves so for our purposes you;ll be fine just wacking it on and waiting 30 seconds

goinginside · #16 07-02-2010, 04:56 AM

On the SVT-2 PRO regardless what the standby switch is set to when powering up the amp is in standby for 10 seconds or so then will kick in, you'll hear it kick in as well as the light turning green from red.

I usually go into standby for a bit before powering down, just a habit.

MAMMOTHvolume · #17 07-02-2010, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goinginside

On the SVT-2 PRO regardless what the standby switch is set to when powering up the amp is in standby for 10 seconds or so then will kick in, you'll hear it kick in as well as the light turning green from red.

I usually go into standby for a bit before powering down, just a habit.

also as said by bassmanpaul its good to switch your amp straight off so the caps discharge and don't give your tech a nasty shock