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Tube Amp Do's and Don'ts

#41
Setting here watching Jack Bauer kick butt.

Lets see.

The Standby Switch on most higher powered (above 30 watts IIRC) Tube Amps is there to help keep from stripping the Cthodes. Too much in rush current too fast removes material from the Cathode in the Tubes (wears them out).


Rarely do I discharge the Caps in my Tube Amps. Dont know of any reason to do this on a regular bassis unless I'm going to work on it.

For Biasing I use a Bias Probe with a switch to look at Plate Voltage and Catthode Current. Makes it nice and easy.
 
#45
MysticMichael said:
I realize that the Amps forum already has several stickied threads. But this one would seem to be a good candidate for stickying too.

To those of us who have played solid-state amps almost exclusively (i.e. moi), the world of tubes is kind of a dark and mysterious alternate universe. This discussion is shedding some light on it... :hmm:

MM
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That is the main reason I started this thread.:hmm: My Peavey VB2 is my first (of many perhaps:rollno::eyebrow:) all tube head.

Surprisingly, this thread has mostly stayed on topic and with nothing about tube vs ss.

I'm now switching my amp off right away without putting it into standby. How about amp/tube orientation? Sometimes I store my amp on it's side as it takes up less room in my apartment. Is this a bad thing - No it won't tip over...
 
#46
kissmybASS01 said:
I'm now switching my amp off right away without putting it into standby. How about amp/tube orientation? Sometimes I store my amp on it's side as it takes up less room in my apartment. Is this a bad thing - No it won't tip over...
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The way heat dissipates in a tube amp could be a problem if you flip it on its side. Since it rises as it dissipates, the heat from each tube will rise up onto each other tube and collectively get hotter and hotter. That could kill tubes prematurely or cause overheating.
 
#47
kissmybASS01 said:
That is the main reason I started this thread.:hmm: My Peavey VB2 is my first (of many perhaps:rollno::eyebrow:) all tube head.

Surprisingly, this thread has mostly stayed on topic and with nothing about tube vs ss.

I'm now switching my amp off right away without putting it into standby. How about amp/tube orientation? Sometimes I store my amp on it's side as it takes up less room in my apartment. Is this a bad thing - No it won't tip over...
Click to expand...

If the amp is cooled down on it's side is fine.
 
#50
JimmyM said:
The way heat dissipates in a tube amp could be a problem if you flip it on its side. Since it rises as it dissipates, the heat from each tube will rise up onto each other tube and collectively get hotter and hotter. That could kill tubes prematurely or cause overheating.
Click to expand...

Great point, excellent advice even though I remember enuf skool science to know heat rises:p What I should have clarified is that I usually place the amp on its side the next day after it has been cooling off all nite.

As for sticky-ing this thread, that's up to the TB Gods. Pray hard, and offer those virgin tubes as sacrifices!!!!:D
 
#51
kissmybASS01 said:
Great point, excellent advice even though I remember enuf skool science to know heat rises:p What I should have clarified is that I usually place the amp on its side the next day after it has been cooling off all nite.
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Oh...sorry...I see now...you said "store" the amp meaning when it's off. I thought you were talking abotu storing it at a gig or while you play it at home.
 
#52
Ampeg SVT said:
The Buster has an auto biasing feature but I will eventually put in a bias pot.
.
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No it doesn't - it uses a fixed bias, not auto biasing.

Here's a DO: don't buy into the hype that some tubes are inherantly better than others. I've found that some of my favorite tubes are Chinese, which frequently get bashed for being "cheap". Let your ears decide.
 
#53
bassmodder said:
I have noticed standby seems to be only on guitar amps. Never seen one on an organ amp, PA amp, mono-block, stereo or any other gear. I have tube gear that has no stand by and I do not see any reason to put a hole in the chassis to add one. All tube gear from the 50's to 70's. I aint talking no 6v6 amp either.
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Regardless of tube compliment, bass amps can pull huge voltages across the tubes when they come on. This is why they need to warm up and why they have stand-by switches,
 
#54
Rule number 1: (Until you have a roadie with a resume) to avoid being angry at band mates and other helpers (who might be fans of your music or you), make sure you and only you hook up any cabs or basses to your tube amp.

Rule number 2:
Speaker Cable First, followed by making sure its turned off. Then plug it in. After that, plug your bass in. You can hit the standby when you are ready to play or need to turn off the sound.

Rule number 3:
Let her warm up before starting the show. Warmer tubes are happy tubes.

Rule number 4:
Cary a solid-state backup to all gigs. Tubes are not the most reliable and require extra care in handling. Even with kid gloves, they are fragile. Don't be stuck without an amp at the gig. Bring the backup!
 

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