Marshal standby question

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lomky

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As I understand it the standby switch is used to keep some power to the tubes but not enough to generate sound. Now what is the proper procedure for powering up and powering down?

Is this correct:
To power on: Standy off, power on. Let tubes warm up, when ready to play flip standby on.

To Power down: Turn the Standby off, let sit for a bit then power off.

if you are taking a break, set standby to off and leave power on.

Is this correct?
 
From my Marshall manual:

Standby Switch = Allows the amplifier to reamian at "standby" (i.e. the valve heaters remain on, ready for instant use, but without the signal circuit being active).
Power Switch = On/Off switch for total mains power

From http://www.blamepro.com/marfaq.htm

Q. How should I use the standby switch on my amp? I need to know which order to power on and off. Currently I power on with the standby set so that no sound comes out of the speaker until I press standby. I power off in the opposite manner (i.e., standby closes down sound and then power off). Is this right?
A. The power up sequence is correct. On powering down, turning the standby switch to the silence position leaves charge in the power filters. This is not a problem if you follow your normal sequence on power up, and may be easier to remember. However, with the caps charged, it would be extremely dangerous to then open it up and service it, and you wouldn't want to just turn both power and standby on at the same time a the next power on.

If you leave the standby switch alone when you power down, this drains the charge out of the power filters as the tubes conduct until they're empty. Properly, you would turn the standby back to "silent" once the thing has gone completely silent after turning off the power switch, as this readies it for the next power on.

Personally, I turn the power bar off (and on) that it's plugged into with power switch still "on". Usually on standby most of the time because I play through my board using my line out the back. Haven't had a problem with it (yet).
 
With my 800 head I always switch on the main power, let it warm up for a few minutes, plug everything in, then flip the standby on. I do the reverse to power down...

On a side note, make sure you always use the proper fuses, and definitely not a higher number than what is supposed to be used. Mine takes 3amp; I imagine most other Marshalls do as well. Also, use fuses made especially for amps (my local guitar store carries them) or if you go to Radio Shack, make sure you get the regular or fast-blow fuses (thinner wire). The slow-blow ones take too long to break and by that time the amp might already be damaged...

my 2 cents.
 
FWIW, with all my tube amps, I flip both switches on and off together. I flip the standby switch off during breaks.
 
Standby should be 'off' before the power goes on or off, but technically, it would be 'standby on' due to the fact that it is IN a standby mode when it is off. Does that make sense?
 
lomky said:
As I understand it the standby switch is used to keep some power to the tubes but not enough to generate sound. Now what is the proper procedure for powering up and powering down?

Is this correct:
To power on: Standy off, power on. Let tubes warm up, when ready to play flip standby on.

To Power down: Turn the Standby off, let sit for a bit then power off.

if you are taking a break, set standby to off and leave power on.

Is this correct?
Click to expand...


:) :) :) :) :) YES :) :) :) :) :)
 
Outlaws said:
Standby should be 'off' before the power goes on or off, but technically, it would be 'standby on' due to the fact that it is IN a standby mode when it is off. Does that make sense?
Click to expand...

Yes it does, when refering to on and off I'm refering to the relative position in relation to the power button. I'm calling the standby switch on when it is in the same position as the power button when it is on

Now does that make sense :)
 
As long as you don't play the thing for a few minutes, it doesn't matter. The standby switch is to keep signal from going through cold tubes. The cathodes can be damaged that way, and it shortens tube life by a good amount. It also lets you mute the amp without shutting it off.
 
easychair said:
As long as you don't play the thing for a few minutes, it doesn't matter. The standby switch is to keep signal from going through cold tubes. The cathodes can be damaged that way, and it shortens tube life by a good amount. It also lets you mute the amp without shutting it off.
Click to expand...

hey easychair, no offense intented but is that a fact? where did you get that information?
 
Easychair is correct. You can find this info on many websites including some tube manufacturer sites. It would be optimal to allow tubes to warm up on standby mode for at least ten minutes before playing through them. This is not always possible in the real world especially when dealing with multiple band nights etc. You should also allow the tubes to cool 10-15 minutes before banging the amp around...again, not always possible. You can't really hurt your amp (other than your tubes) if you don't follow these procedures but both practices will help prolong the life of your tubes.
 
several of the folks here are correct,..... most amps today,... and the older amps too are built pretty rugged, the weak link so to speak are the tubes,....

They should not be powered up at all if they are cold,.... I mean if they came from a van, or car that sat out in the parking lot in 30 degree weather for a while,.....

The standby switch is for exactly what it says,... puts the amp in a ready state,.... and it should remain there till you are ready to play,...... or at the very least,.... for at least 4-10 minutes, this allows the tubes to start passing electrons like they are supposed to,..... and when you are finished playing,.... the reverse is true,..... let it cool for a few minutes before bouncing it around,... and this is VERY important if you live in a cold climate, and your car or van is cold...

Otherwise,..... by not following this practice,.... you will be replacing tubes much more than necessary...


Steve
 
Just to complicate things, some tube amplifiers with certain types of tube rectifiers do not need standby switches or standby. If you have an indirectly-heated tube rectifier like a 5Y3 or GZ34, the other tubes in your amp will not be getting any voltage (voltage that might otherwise cause damage) until the tube rectifier has warmed up. At that point, the other tubes have already warmed up as well. This is why some tube amps using these rectifier tubes -- tweed Fender Champs and some Matchless amps, for example -- do not have a standby switch yet do not cause tube damage as a result. For all other tube amps, using the standby switch during startup is best for normal tube wear and safe amp operation.
 
toddyjoe said:
Just to complicate things, some tube amplifiers with certain types of tube rectifiers do not need standby switches or standby. If you have an indirectly-heated tube rectifier like a 5Y3 or GZ34, the other tubes in your amp will not be getting any voltage (voltage that might otherwise cause damage) until the tube rectifier has warmed up. At that point, the other tubes have already warmed up as well. This is why some tube amps using these rectifier tubes -- tweed Fender Champs and some Matchless amps, for example -- do not have a standby switch yet do not cause tube damage as a result. For all other tube amps, using the standby switch during startup is best for normal tube wear and safe amp operation.
Click to expand...

Lots of tube amps don't have standby switches. My Fender Blues Jr., for example.
 
The whole point of a Standby switch is to keep power off the plates of the tubes. Putting HT DC to the plates when they are cold will lead to cathode striping, even if you don't play it. This will seriously reduce the life span of your tubes. Given the state of the tube manufacturing industry these days, I think it is unwise to rush their demise.

So, power on, with the standby switch in standby. Wait a few minutes. This turns on the heaters, but not the DC (although the rectifier will be on, but they are a whole other kettle of fish). THEN flip the standby switch. This sends DC to the rest of the filter caps, and to the plates on the tubes.



Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi
 
Wow, lots of good info here guys. Thanks alot. There is probably alot of people out there confused about this.

Josh
 
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