#1933391 - 04/28/08 12:17 AM
Re: what are some of the most reliable amp brands
[Re: Dr. Ellwood]
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nauc
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Registered: 03/12/07
Posts: 25
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hmm, ive never owned a tube amp, anything i need to know/remember
i take really good care of my things, wont be showering with it, wont be using it as a bowling ball
and it will be for home use only
thanks
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#1933400 - 04/28/08 02:41 AM
Re: what are some of the most reliable amp brands
[Re: nauc]
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Kramer Ferrington III.
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Loc: Wellington, NZ
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hmm, ive never owned a tube amp, anything i need to know/remember
No, not that I can think of. They take a couple of seconds to warm up, so don't be surprised if you turn it on and nothing much happens for those first couple of seconds. That's all I can think of, really.
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#1933510 - 04/28/08 08:36 AM
Re: what are some of the most reliable amp brands
[Re: Kramer Ferrington III.]
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Mudcat
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hmm, ive never owned a tube amp, anything i need to know/remember No, not that I can think of. They take a couple of seconds to warm up, so don't be surprised if you turn it on and nothing much happens for those first couple of seconds. That's all I can think of, really.
One important item to remember is to NOT turn the amp off during breaks. Just flip it to standby instead. This helps preserve the tubes.
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#1933559 - 04/28/08 09:42 AM
Re: what are some of the most reliable amp brands
[Re: Mudcat]
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nauc
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alright thanks
one more ?
are replacement tubes $$$ and are they easy to replace or most likely, will i have to take it to a shop?
thanks
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#1933601 - 04/28/08 10:37 AM
Re: what are some of the most reliable amp brands
[Re: nauc]
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Rhino Madness
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are replacement tubes $$$ and are they easy to replace or most likely, will i have to take it to a shop?
If you purchase an amp with common tube types, you can replace them at a decent price (although it is always possible to pay a premium for better tubes if you are so inclined).
As far as taking it to the shop, it depends on a couple of things...
You can always change the preamp tubes yourself.
For the power tubes:
If your amp's power section has cathode bias (self-adjusted), it means that the amp itself will automatically adjust the bias and you can change the power tubes yourself.
If your amp's power section has fixed bias, that fixed bias has to be manually adjusted when the power tubes get changed. Most amps require poking inside them for a bias adjustment and that presents a real hazard: you can do it yourself if you know what you are doing and have the proper tools to do it; otherwise, it is best left for a tech.
Edited by Rhino Madness (04/28/08 02:22 PM)
Edit Reason: Replaced adjustable bias for the correct term: cathode bias
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#1933611 - 04/28/08 10:54 AM
Re: what are some of the most reliable amp brands
[Re: Rhino Madness]
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Kramer Ferrington III.
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You can always change the preamp tubes yourself.
Yeah, they just click into place. It's no more challenging than changing a lightbulb.
For the power tubes:
If your amp's power section has adjustable bias, it means that the amp itself will automatically adjust the bias and you can change the power tubes yourself.
If your amp's power section has fixed bias, that fixed bias has to be manually adjusted when the power tubes get changed. Most amps require poking inside them for a bias adjustment and that presents a real hazard: you can do it yourself if you know what you are doing and have the proper tools to do it; otherwise, it is best left for a tech.
I guess the best thing to do is ask whoever is selling it to you about which are the tubes you can change yourself.
But really, the tubes (or valves as they are known in Commonwealth countries) DO last quite a long time. You can tell when they're getting old because the amp starts to lose volume and the sound is more distorted than usual. It's a slow and gradual process.
Oh, another thing. If you're going to be moving the amp straight after playing (getting off stage, say) give the tubes a couple of minutes to cool down before moving the amp. No big deal, you can use the time to pack up your guitar stuff.
Edited by Kramer Ferrington III. (04/28/08 10:57 AM)
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#1933621 - 04/28/08 11:10 AM
Re: what are some of the most reliable amp brands
[Re: Kramer Ferrington III.]
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nauc
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i see, thanks...
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