New Tube Amp - Stupid Question

  • Thread starter Thread starter gvarko
  • Start date Start date
gvarko

gvarko

New member
I picked up a Peavey Valveking 212 over the weekend.

This is my first tube amp so this question is really stupid.

There is a power and standby switch on the amp. Should I turn them both on when powering on? Or do I just power on, then when taking a break throw on the standby and turn off the power?

I read the manual and it does not give a clear explanation.
 
You leave the standby in standby position. Turn the amp on - let it sit for a couple minutes, then turn the standby off.
 
^ What he said.

The standby is basically so you can turn the power on to heat up the tubes, but not pass the signal through the amp. Standby is also useful when taking a break or unplugging a guitar cable. Leave the power on and put it on standby.
You'll find different camps when it comes to powering down. Some will say to turn the standby on first, turn the power off first, or whatever. I say who cares as long as you flip the standby switch back on so that it is there the next time you power up.
 
Ok

espskully said:
You leave the standby in standby position. Turn the amp on - let it sit for a couple minutes, then turn the standby off.
Click to expand...

I tried it like that and it seemed like when I turned the standby to off, the sound died. I will try it again, perhaps I didn't wait long enough.

So, the only time I would need to turn the standby on is if I wanted to power off, but keep the tubes hot? And for a few minutes when powering on, other than that it should be off?
 
I can't imagine why one would leave the standby switch off BEFORE you turn the power... maybe it's just superstition for me but I always leave them off
 
Dude

TheRockDoc said:
I can't imagine why one would leave the standby switch off BEFORE you turn the power... maybe it's just superstition for me but I always leave them off
Click to expand...

Don't confuse me more, are you saying I should never need the standby?
 
gvarko said:
Don't confuse me more, are you saying I should never need the standby?
Click to expand...

When you turn the amp on, leave the standby switch in whatever position mutes the amp until it warms up for a minute or two. Those switches aren't very clearly labelled mostly. Very confusing. :p
 
No no no. When not on - the power is off and the standby is on. Hit the power, leaving the amp in stand by mode. Wait 2 minutes, take the stand by off. Put the standby back on when unplugging, taking a break, whatever. When powering down - put the standby back on, THEN turn the power off.
 
yeah, the standby switch might be labeled standby, on, off, or whatever. When standby is "on" the amp is muted. When standby is "off" the amp functions normally. The switch may be labeled differently perhaps where "off" means the sound is off and therefore it is on standby. Normally it will be in the opposite position of the power switch when standby is on, but that may be different for some amps as well.
 
Amp is cold and off...make sure the standby switch is to the power off position turn the main power switch on...wait a couple minutes to let it warm up then turn the standby switch to power on...rock out...enjoy...need a break or phone rings...turn the standby switch to off...come back wanna play some more...standby switch back on...rock out, enjoy...mom calls you for dinner, stanby switch off...wait 30 seconds or so...turn main power switch off...repeat as needed for following jam sessions.
 
Yes

metalhead28 said:
yeah, the standby switch might be labeled standby, on, off, or whatever. When standby is "on" the amp is muted. When standby is "off" the amp functions normally. The switch may be labeled differently perhaps where "off" means the sound is off and therefore it is on standby. Normally it will be in the opposite position of the power switch when standby is on, but that may be different for some amps as well.
Click to expand...

I think that is were my confusion lies. The switch says standby on, but I think that means it is off. Because when I switch the standby to off the sounds dies. Confusing, perhaps in China that is normal.
 
gvarko said:
I think that is were my confusion lies. The switch says standby on, but I think that means it is off. Because when I switch the standby to off the sounds dies. Confusing, perhaps in China that is normal.
Click to expand...

FWIW, I usually flip both switches together, both ways. The only time I use the standby is when I need the amp to be completely quiet but ready to rock. I have been doing this for over 30 years with no ill effects.
 
Got it

ggunn said:
FWIW, I usually flip both switches together, both ways. The only time I use the standby is when I need the amp to be completely quiet but ready to rock. I have been doing this for over 30 years with no ill effects.
Click to expand...

Thank you, that sounds easy enough.
 
gvarko said:
I think that is were my confusion lies. The switch says standby on, but I think that means it is off. Because when I switch the standby to off the sounds dies. Confusing, perhaps in China that is normal.
Click to expand...

It's normal everywhere. When you put the amp "On Standby," you are silencing it. I don'really use standby, I don't have off and on sessions, I plug in and play for a good while, and turn off when I'm done. My tubes last as long as everybody else's. There are tube amps made with no standby, and they work fine. It's for convenience, mostly, so you can mute the amp temporarilly.
 
For what it's worth....If I'm gonna do a recording session, I'll turn on the amp maybe 30 minutes or an hour beforehand and leave it on standby. My amp always sounds better when it's been getting hot for a while.
I always did the same thing at gigs.
 
On my amp here is how it works:
The switches go up and down, and I would call "up" to be "on" but you may call "up" as "off" for standby. I'm going to say up and down to avoid confusion.
Startup
Step 1: Power switch up.
Step 2: Wait a few minutes.
Step 3: Standby switch up.

Shutdown
Step 1: Standby switch down.
Step 2: Wait a minute or two.
Step 3: Power switch down.

Although I rarely do the proper shutdown method, this is what is recommended.
 
Thank you all

For the great help, I think I get it now. Seems silly, but it's confusing, especially when the manual is no help.

On the flip side, the amp sounds great. It's clear, once you go tube there is no turning back. It's not the worlds best tube amp, but it's 1000 times less shrill than my solid state.

And metalhead28 - you are dead on with the statement, "a tube amp will help you play better". There is no doubt, it is so reactive to my playing, there is no way it can't improve.
 
metalhead28 said:
For what it's worth....If I'm gonna do a recording session, I'll turn on the amp maybe 30 minutes or an hour beforehand and leave it on standby. My amp always sounds better when it's been getting hot for a while.
I always did the same thing at gigs.
Click to expand...

'same with my bass amp. If it hasn`t been on for at least 15 to 20 minutes there`s little compression sustain from the tubes, and it has a blah sound.
 
Toki987 said:
'same with my bass amp. If it hasn`t been on for at least 15 to 20 minutes there`s little compression sustain from the tubes, and it has a blah sound.
Click to expand...

I guess different amps are different about this. My Deluxe Reverb and SVT sound the same whether they've been powered up for five minutes or five hours.
 
ggunn said:
I guess different amps are different about this. My Deluxe Reverb and SVT sound the same whether they've been powered up for five minutes or five hours.
Click to expand...

I can understand..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top