New Tube Amp - Stupid Question

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

My 5150 sounds noticably thicker, and less scratchy when it's been on for at least 15-20 minutes. If I try to dial in a tone after just a few minutes, I usually think to myself "Why the hell do I even like this amp" :p
 
If your amp has a tube rectifier it shouldn't make too much difference because the plate voltage ramps up slowly as the rectifier heats up. A diode rectified amp produces a large voltage spike when turned on.

Generally, the standby switch switches plate voltage on and off. It is primarily to help prevent cathode stripping, which happens when you apply plate voltage before the heater circuit has had a chance to heat up the tube elements sufficiently to emit electrons. It should save some tube life.

Also, some think its best to leave the plate voltage connected when powering down an amp because this will allow the power supply capacitors to discharge.
 
This thread reminds me of the "how do you tune a bass" thread.
 
reshp1 said:
This thread reminds me of the "how do you tune a bass" thread.
I can't believe this thread but then I grew up entirely on tube amps. Most of the old ones had a red light that came on for the power and a green one came on when you threw the standby switch. How bloody simple is that?
 
Nice

Someone actually gave me a bad rep point for asking a question about my new amp. It said "You are a *****", I guess I am to fill in the blank. Of course the low life loser failed to sign his message.

I did say it was a stupid question, but one I did not know the answer to. Looking at the responses in this thread, it would seem there are varying way's to power up an amp.
 
Gvarko,
Your question is justified by the variety & confliction of the responses. Thanks for asking it.
It seems that the consensus, for various reasons, is that standby/mute should be engaged:
1. before switching the power on,
2. when at rest and,
3. before switching the power off.
Savageblues' cap. comments are valid & you should look specifically into that, (web site, manual, asking around on line or at a GOOD music shop), whilst establishing a habit of following the consensus until you know otherwise.
Enjoy your amp & ignore any neg reps that are unsigned. If the comment's valid the writer should have the courage of their convictions to be up front & not hide behind anonymity to avoid getting neg points in response.
Cheers
rayC
 
Thank you rayc

rayc said:
Enjoy your amp & ignore any neg reps that are unsigned. If the comment's valid the writer should have the courage of their convictions to be up front & not hide behind anonymity to avoid getting neg points in response.
Cheers
rayC

It may seem like a dumb question to those who have owned tube amps, I have not. I did check the manual, website and forums for help before asking here.

The advice I received here was great and will probably go a long way toward extending the life of my amp.

Thanks to all those who helped!!
 
My friend would flip both switches to his rec on and then strum until he got sound out of it. I kept telling him he should wait a little while before playing, to let the tubes warm up a bit. Not sure if it actually damages the amp though.

EDIT: So are we going to get a clip of the Valveking?
 
It's your first tuber? Not so dumb in my book...dumb would be flippin switches and crankin' knobs without knowing what you were doing and then finding out that you ate the life out of the tubes or toasted the output transformer.

BTW...never turn the amp on with out the speakers connected either.
 
My amp is easy. The Standby switch is labled: "Rest" and "Go"
 
Nice

Scottgman said:
My amp is easy. The Standby switch is labled: "Rest" and "Go"

Now that is how they should all be labled! Rather than Standby ON when it is really OFF!!
 
so how do you like your valveking, I got mine a month or so ago and have neglected all my other amps for a while, it just seems I can get so many different sounds out of it. Have you had time to play with the class a/b texture control knob on the back yet, I was skeptical at first but I do notice a change when I play around with it. Did you buy the valveking footswitch. That is the only thing I am dissappointed with, for 50 bucks it sure is plastic and feels like i'll step right through it. Anyway.......enjoy your amp.
 
gvarko said:
Someone actually gave me a bad rep point for asking a question about my new amp. It said "You are a *****", I guess I am to fill in the blank. Of course the low life loser failed to sign his message.

I did say it was a stupid question, but one I did not know the answer to. Looking at the responses in this thread, it would seem there are varying way's to power up an amp.


That was totally uncalled for. What a prick. Identify yourself you dick!
 
Yes

DeadUnion said:
so how do you like your valveking, I got mine a month or so ago and have neglected all my other amps for a while, it just seems I can get so many different sounds out of it. Have you had time to play with the class a/b texture control knob on the back yet, I was skeptical at first but I do notice a change when I play around with it. Did you buy the valveking footswitch. That is the only thing I am dissappointed with, for 50 bucks it sure is plastic and feels like i'll step right through it. Anyway.......enjoy your amp.

I like the amp very much. The texture knob does make a noticeable difference. I have mine about in the middle with the other switch set to loose. That sounds best to me. I will be buying the footswitch, it is lame to not include one. I guess that's how they can sell the amp so cheap.

After years of playing solid state, I can honestly say this amp has changed my playing for the better!!
 
The dude who neg repped Gvarko just did the same to me and called me a kunt! Unsigned of course, as he is a complete pussy. Has to be one of Jake-owa's alters.
 
Very nice

espskully said:
The dude who neg repped Gvarko just did the same to me and called me a kunt! Unsigned of course, as he is a complete pussy. Has to be one of Jake-owa's alters.

Seems like it's getting personal now. I deduced my neg repper to be reshp1 because he posted a snide remark moments after my neg.

Sorry if my question offended the amp snob....
 
gvarko said:
Seems like it's getting personal now. I deduced my neg repper to be reshp1 because he posted a snide remark moments after my neg.

Sorry if my question offended the amp snob....


I tried the adding user to your ignore list trick - and it wasn't him who neg'd me.
 
Feeling bad

gvarko said:
Seems like it's getting personal now. I deduced my neg repper to be reshp1 because he posted a snide remark moments after my neg.

Sorry if my question offended the amp snob....

It wasn't reshp1 that negged me after all. Still trying to ferret out the weasel. And to reshp1, sorry. I will hit you back with some positive ASAP!!!
 
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