Tube Question

[Lo-Fi Mike]

what happens if you leave your tube mic on overnight (accidentally) approximately 12-15 hrs.

still works OK, but did i abuse the life of the tube?


thanks

 

[Guitarer]

It'll be fine. If the tube is new, you may have aged it and made it sound better, if not, you probably took a very minimal amount of life out of it.

 

[PhilGood]

Was it a new mic? You probably did the capacitors some good by letting them open up a bit.

 

[Robert D]

Gave everything a good drying out too.

 

[Daisy]

Aw man.

You're screwed now.

It'll never be the same -- if it ever works again.

 

[mrface2112]

actually, if it's a new production Russian or Chinese tube, that 15 hours might actually have an impact. they're not built to the same longevity standards as they were in the heyday of RCA, GE, Sylvania, etc., so 15 hours might have some impact. especially if you do it again and again and again.

But i wouldn't worry about it.


cheers,
wade

 

[Marik]

actually, if it's a new production Russian or Chinese tube, that 15 hours might actually have an impact.

I never tried new small signal Russian tubes (for my work I still have a large surplus of NOS, which are still affordable), but EH EL34 and 6550s work very nicely in my designed HiFi amps...
I mean, I push them pretty hard into class A, and they work ALMOST on a max rating (mind you, calculated according to the graphs for NOS tubes) and now, 7 years later they are just fine, showing excellent emission, still matched, with no sign of wear.
Needless to say, they sound excellent.

Best, M

 

[Lo-Fi Mike]

tube

thanks for the replies!!

FYI the tube is a Military grade JAN 5840

 

[mrface2112]

FYI the tube is a Military grade JAN 5840

ah, you're fine. that tube will probably outlast you, actually....especially in a mic.

Marik--I've had decent results and longevity with recent production EH's (rebadged sovteks) and JJ's--hours and hours. But tonally, i find them lacking when compared to NOS RCA's, GE's and the like. And given that the NOS tubes will just plain last longer, i have no problems ponying up the extra $$$ for something that may never need to be replaced and sounds superior. Of course, keep spares.

But I appreciate everything you're saying--new production tubes should last a good while.


cheers,
wade

 

[dementedchord]

i find the only real problem with leaving tubes on for extended periods of dis use is with output tubes especially guitar amps that are poorly biased...

 

[Soundmind??]

I suggest you leave it on for 15 hours during the day time to reverse the darkness that may have developed by leaving it on at night!

 

[cusebassman]

I suggest you leave it on for 15 hours during the day time to reverse the darkness that may have developed by leaving it on at night!

Like driving your car in reverse to roll back the odometer!



...Bueller?


Bueller?