Yeah, never had probems with the Strategy and retubed only once. The old tubes measured OK, so they’re spares now.
The only (slight) tube related problems we’ve had, was with the Mark 3 and 4 guitar heads. Both had a redplating tube which took some resistors with it, one was just before a show but the amp pulled through with only two tubes. Still sounded great with a little less power.
I also play the rig conservatively -though loud-, with so much power you must show some restraint.
On the Strategy I rarely hit the second Led (which accounts for 50 Watt), but even that is mind-blowing hard.
Jerry Only of the Misfits played my set two weeks ago and got to hit the third led (200 Watt according to the manual), the Bass 400 was also cranked up to the max (with the sliders on the eq all all the way up)
That was ear bleeding loud!
I recon that way you would have slightly more wear and tear on the guts and tubes.
For now the Strategy has been the most reliable amp for us and ‘till now the tubes always have gotten a clean bill of health during the yearly checkup.
(about 7 years old tubes I guess)
The only (slight) tube related problems we’ve had, was with the Mark 3 and 4 guitar heads. Both had a redplating tube which took some resistors with it, one was just before a show but the amp pulled through with only two tubes. Still sounded great with a little less power.
I also play the rig conservatively -though loud-, with so much power you must show some restraint.
On the Strategy I rarely hit the second Led (which accounts for 50 Watt), but even that is mind-blowing hard.
Jerry Only of the Misfits played my set two weeks ago and got to hit the third led (200 Watt according to the manual), the Bass 400 was also cranked up to the max (with the sliders on the eq all all the way up)
That was ear bleeding loud!
I recon that way you would have slightly more wear and tear on the guts and tubes.
For now the Strategy has been the most reliable amp for us and ‘till now the tubes always have gotten a clean bill of health during the yearly checkup.
(about 7 years old tubes I guess)
