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Traynor YBA300 warm-up time

Embersandashes

Embersandashes

Dec 12, 2024
3
2
Quebec, Canada
#1
I have recently started using a traynor Bassmaster YBA300 tube head, in conjunction with a matching 8x10, as a temporary rig for a gig coming up at the end of the month. This is my first experience with a tube amp of any kind, and my understanding of how vacuum tubes work is very limited. I have found wildly varying information on how to handle such an amp. So, my question is: if biased correctly, how long should I let an amp that large (12 6L6 power tubes) warm up before, say, doing soundcheck at volume?
 
#2
Traynor indicates a few minutes should be enough. Recommends using standby switch for any short breaks rather than turning off.

Traynor

Traynor is a brand of bass amplifiers and guitar amplifiers, the first brand formed by Yorkville Sound. The Traynor brand, named for founder Peter Traynor, began in 1963 with the Dynabass bass amplifier, a rental product. Traynor first became popular in Canada by providing less expensive...
traynoramps.com traynoramps.com
 
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#4
Can depend on a lot of factors...the amp in question, condition of the tubes, biasing, etc.

For my Traynor YBA200, it would start coming alive in about 15-20 seconds, but I'd recommend switching it on and leaving it in standby for 1 or 2 minutes to ensure it's nice and warm. Might take longer since it's a set of 12 tubes, but leaving it in standby initially for 3 or 4 minutes shouldn't be the end of the world.
 
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#5
It generally takes a matter of seconds before the tubes are hot enough to pass a signal. You can play right away. There should only be small changes in the way the amp performs as the temperature of tubes and other component's varies. AFAIK it takes approximately 15-20 minutes for the tubes to reach full operating temperature. Other components may take longer.

If the amp is not 100%, the sound may improve for a period of time and then start to degrade.

The rate in which tubes heat up in standby is much slower than when the tubes are operating. In standby, only the heaters are active. The heaters focus on getting the cathodes hot enough to emit electrons. AFAIK the heaters do not directly heat other parts of the grid structure. When the amp is set to operate, electrons flow from cathode to plate and screen grid. This current flow heats other elements of the grid structure.

Output tubes usually run a lot hotter than preamp tubes. Assume they are all too hot to handle.
 
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#6
Welcome to the YBA300! Your setup is my go-to for any gig w/o steps! I’ll use the YBA300 with a 2x10 and/or a 1x15 cab as well.

1 minute is more than enough warm up time. Flip the power on, then get your bass plugged in and comfortably on the body. Then flip it from standby and you are good to go.

And FYI- even if not biases “correctly”, it still warms up fast.

Enjoy the monster tone!
 
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#8
The concern has been that if the heater filament has not had sufficient time to heat the cathode properly, something called "cathode stripping" can occur and damage the cathode. However:

"Many tube experts doubt whether cathode stripping is even possible or ever occurs. Others believe that it can only happen with directly heated tubes. Still others believe that cathode stripping only happens at high voltages (typically above 10 kilovolts).

However, whether cathode stripping is a “real” danger or not, for best performance, best stability, consistent tone, and longest tube life, it is still wise to allow a tube-equipped piece of gear to warm up thoroughly before you begin using it." [quoted from the Sweetwater site].
 
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#9
KenD said:
The concern has been that if the heater filament has not had sufficient time to heat the cathode properly, something called "cathode stripping" can occur and damage the cathode. However:

"Many tube experts doubt whether cathode stripping is even possible or ever occurs. Others believe that it can only happen with directly heated tubes. Still others believe that cathode stripping only happens at high voltages (typically above 10 kilovolts).

However, whether cathode stripping is a “real” danger or not, for best performance, best stability, consistent tone, and longest tube life, it is still wise to allow a tube-equipped piece of gear to warm up thoroughly before you begin using it." [quoted from the Sweetwater site].
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Effectrode makes several tube preamps and compressors - not amps, but likely to be similar. They recommend warming the tubes. FWIW, here's what they say:

"If operated well within their ratings, good quality signal tubes can last 100,000 hours or more; that’s well over 11 years of continuous use. To extend tube life, we recommend that the pedal is allowed to warm-up in bypass for at least one minute after being switched on. This is to allow the heater filament in the tube to heat the cathode, which is coated with a layer of barium and strontium oxide. This oxide layer gets torn off the cathode, a process known as cathode stripping, if the cathode has not reached it’s correct operating temperature, ultimately shortening tube life."

Here's the link:

Frequently Asked Questions at Effectrode

Navigate to this page on our website to find Frequently Asked Questions regarding Effectrode Pedals and Tubes. If you have a question then look here first!
www.effectrode.com www.effectrode.com

I always start my tube gear, including a hybrid amp, in standby or bypass and let it warm up for a minute or two. I'm not smart enough to know whether cathode stripping is a real danger or not, but letting the amp warm up seems like a simple precaution and it doesn't cost me anything.
 
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#10
So I have read that really there is no point to the standby switch anymore and the reason they still do it is more because people expect it(tradition). I will say though being a tradesman is always refer to the owners manual. It says a few minutes so I would say a few minutes. Make sure you always have a load hooked to the head.
 

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#13
Here is the sequence I typically use. Turn on variac feeding amp. Turn amp on in standby. Plug line from wireless into amp. Turn on power strip for wireless and turn on wireless. Take bass out of case and strap it on. Clip wireless belt pack to strap and connect instrument cable to bass. Play a few notes and then turn on wireless. Switch amp from standby to operate.

This gives the tubes a minute or two to warm up.

Many tube amps only activate the heater circuit in standby. But there can be variation. For example, the Aguilar DB 359 powers up the entire power supply and applies operating voltages to the tubes in standby. In standby, the bias supply delivers a much higher voltage, which biases the output tubes off. I believe the intent with this amp is so you can use the DI for silent recording.
 
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#14
Embersandashes said:
I have recently started using a traynor Bassmaster YBA300 tube head, in conjunction with a matching 8x10, as a temporary rig for a gig coming up at the end of the month. This is my first experience with a tube amp of any kind, and my understanding of how vacuum tubes work is very limited. I have found wildly varying information on how to handle such an amp. So, my question is: if biased correctly, how long should I let an amp that large (12 6L6 power tubes) warm up before, say, doing soundcheck at volume?
Click to expand...
Alot of talk here of people going to lighter weight heads. For me I prefer a tube head. Your gonna love it:) Make sure your cab is connected to the head before turning that big boy on. You can do some serious damage to the head. Traynor makes good stuff. I would let it warm up at least 5 to 10 minutes before playing.
 
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#15
Old guy here, worked, lived with and repaired "tube" amps for a very long time. Small signal tubes (preamp 12AX7, 12AT7, 12AU7, 6C4, 6K11) warm up very fast, under 10 seconds. Output "tubes", the higher the power output capable the longer they can take to "warmup". 6L6G*, 5881, 7027, KT66 types warm fairly fast 15-30 seconds. With a high quantity of "tubes like your Traynor give them a minute in standby to stabilize the power supply draws. Can going direct to full power on state (never using the standby) shorten tube life? Anecdotal from my years is slightly, 5% of otherwise similar amp that allowed warmup in standby. I did note that more power supply problems plagued those that did not allow a warmup period, but again anecdotal from personal experience and never took the time or effort of a formal study.
 
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#18
Wasnex said:
it takes approximately 15-20 minutes for the tubes to reach full operating temperature.
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That's exactly the info I got from a top tech here. Any tube amps I used (Bassman) never got played anytime before 10 minutes was up. Never a problem. It's not only the tubes, the whole cabinet needs to be warm. Everyone has their way. That was just mine.
 
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#19
Methaneman said:
Alot of talk here of people going to lighter weight heads. For me I prefer a tube head. Your gonna love it:) Make sure your cab is connected to the head before turning that big boy on. You can do some serious damage to the head. Traynor makes good stuff. I would let it warm up at least 5 to 10 minutes before playing.
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Honestly I don't mind the heavier weight; it's a decent compromise for the tone. So far, after about two weeks of playing exclusively through the yba300 and 8x10, I really love the sound; it's punchier, just as bassy and clearer in the top end than the fender rumble rig I use for smaller gigs.
 
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#20
Embersandashes said:
Honestly I don't mind the heavier weight; it's a decent compromise for the tone. So far, after about two weeks of playing exclusively through the yba300 and 8x10, I really love the sound; it's punchier, just as bassy and clearer in the top end than the fender rumble rig I use for smaller gigs.
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You couldn’t compare more different rigs than that if you tried (imo)
 
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