Tube question

[i_got_a_mohawk]

I got a new amp today ( i feel like TomB)

It works fine, but, when its on, there is a definate blue glow that forms around the plates at the top and bottom ( 6L6's it uses )

When you switch it onto mute the glow disappears, its only there when the tubes are in opperation.

Ive heard that this is sometimes normal, but, its just because ive never seen it in any of my other amps

The fact its happening in all the power tubes makes me think its alright, either that or they have all gone bad :s

Cheers for any help you can throw my way!

- Will

 

[DEVILMAN]

...ok, now for the million $$$ question: How does it sound when you're playing through it etc...???...

~S~


PS: I know you're familar with tube amps...

 

[tadawson]

I got a new amp today ( i feel like TomB)

It works fine, but, when its on, there is a definate blue glow that forms around the plates at the top and bottom ( 6L6's it uses )

When you switch it onto mute the glow disappears, its only there when the tubes are in opperation.

Ive heard that this is sometimes normal, but, its just because ive never seen it in any of my other amps

The fact its happening in all the power tubes makes me think its alright, either that or they have all gone bad :s

Cheers for any help you can throw my way!

- Will

The tubes have a wee bit of residual gas in them, which ionizes and glows blue when high voltage is applied. (Standby removed high voltage, hence no glow . . . ). Just so it is minimal, and everything sounds OK, no problem . . . .

- Tim

 

[Stubb]

What amp is it?!

 

[Phyrexian]

Yeah tell us filthy gear whores what amp you did get...

 

[popinfresh]

Check the trace thread

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

...ok, now for the million $$$ question: How does it sound when you're playing through it etc...???...

~S~


PS: I know you're familar with tube amps...

Aye it sounds fine, sorry, didnt really make that clear in my original post!

The tubes have a wee bit of residual gas in them, which ionizes and glows blue when high voltage is applied. (Standby removed high voltage, hence no glow . . . ). Just so it is minimal, and everything sounds OK, no problem . . . .

- Tim

Cool, thats what i wanted to hear, i knew it must have been something to do with when the high voltage was added, but, wasnt sure if it was normal! (my 6550s have never done that!)


And guys, its a Trace Elliot Speed Twin H100 (guitar amp )

 

[AGCurry]

The bluish glow is absolutely normal. For a nice little light show, watch these tubes as you play.

 

[tombowlus]

I got a new amp today ( i feel like TomB)

Nice! I have a few guitar heads of my own.

 

[SubMonkey]

Cool, thats what i wanted to hear, i knew it must have been something to do with when the high voltage was added, but, wasnt sure if it was normal! (my 6550s have never done that!)

The JJ 6L6GC's I have in my AlphaBass do the blue glow thing very slightly when pushed good and hard...

The Sovetek 6550WE's in my Classic400 look like props from Frankenstein's lab as soon as stand-by is engaged...

So far, no meltdowns from either.

Just because I'm nosy, what make/model valves are those (both your 6L6's and 6550's)?

SM

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

I think the 6L6s are svetlanas I think, i cant remember will look later on

The 6550s, i cant remember! will also look later on, it didnt do it with my old 6550s either (were sylvenia 6550A's)

 

[billfitzmaurice]

It's plasma. Have Geordi do a level 3 diagnostic on the tachyon injectors.
Actually the effect is identical to that inside flourescent lamps.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Plasma to me means is a part of blood, or the 4th physical state, so, a level 3 diagnostic would prove nothing, damned trilithium aint been the same since the early 80s !

Its good to see its normal, i had read and heard that it can happen, just wanted to check seeing ive never personally seen it before.

I was always told "A valve amplifier is fine aslong as it isnt making funny noises or colours", which, seems to be more or less true

Cheers guys

 

[BbbyBld]

Here's how I understand it...

On tetrodes and pentodes, the screen grid accelerates the electrons from the cathode and slams them into the plate. When there is no plate to slam in to (a hole), the electrons slam into the glass on the sides of the tube, or the mica insulator on top of the plate structure and release photons.

(Standby removed high voltage, hence no glow . . . ). Just so it is minimal, and everything sounds OK, no problem . . . .

Some tube amps only remove the screen grid voltage when on standby. The high voltage is still on the plate. This glow will only appear when the screen is turned on to start the electron slamming (not a technical term!).

 

[DEVILMAN]

...calling PsychoBassGuy...can you read me...

~S~