I read an article a few months ago about tube life.
it was really more about how to use a Standby switch on tube amps.
turning On a tube amp one simply flicks the switches to ON.
wrong.
there needs to be a warm up period (a minute or so) . the tubes need to be warmed by a low voltage applied to the cathodes;
if high voltage is applied the tubes life will be shortened and possible damage can occur.
so in turning the amp on the recommended procedure is
Standby to OFF
Power to ON
wait one mionute then
StandbyON
does this make sense?
It's a theoretical problem, not demonstrated in the small receiving type tubes used in our amps. I always do it anyway, on the amps that have standby switches. On the ones without standby switches, I don't worry about it. A standby switch is mainly there to mute the amp when it's briefly unused. Most tube equipment of all sorts was not built with standby switches, and "cathode stripping" never seemed to be a problem. It's a different matter with big high voltage transmitting tubes, and if plate voltage is applied to mercury vapor rectifiers before they've gotten throughly warmed up, ion bombardment will immediately ruin their cathodes.
"A cheerful heart is good medicine."
I agree.
on small amps it isnt a concern.
on larger amps like Fender Twins, Vibrasonics, or Marshall where voltages exceed the vacuum tube manufacturer's ratings the Standby switch is a good thing.
my old 1958 Gibsonette has an on/off switch; that's it.
my Fender Vibrolux Custom has the Standby. I always use it.
On my amps that are without a standby I turn them on and let them set for a few minutes before I start playing on it. If I'm using them for a venue I'll turn them on after I setup that way when we take the stage they'll be warmed up and ready to rock.
Joe
On my amps that are without a standby I turn them on and let them set for a few minutes before I start playing on it. If I'm using them for a venue I'll turn them on after I setup that way when we take the stage they'll be warmed up and ready to rock.
Joe
agreed :)
