t00b n00b question

[AmpShop]

Sounds like a pleasant way to spend the morning!

[Ironbird13]

Sounds like a pleasant way to spend the morning!

will be for me, neighbours might not think so though , mind you im about halfway through soundproofing(well reduction at least ) my garage, hopefully have it finished by sunday for practise

[Some Bozo]

If the dim tube isn't heating up like the others, that ain't good. It could be a bad tube. Or, worst case scenario, it could be something internal that's drifted or on it's way out.

Assuming it's the tube, it sounds like it's not drawing the same current as the others.

If you'd like them tested, I'm happy for you to send me the tubes and I'll test them, free of charge (aside from return postage cost). If I do find the tube's dodgy, I should be able to match up a new single EL84 for you ... although personally I'd suggest a new matched pair that matches your other two remaining tubes.

Sounds like I may as well get a matched quad. PM if you can hook me up ! Cheers.

[AmpShop]

PM'd

[Gelato]

Stand-by question - possibly I'm reading this the wrong way, but ... leaving an amp on stand-by for any length of time is never bad for an amp. It keep the filaments in the tubes hot, without applying the plate voltage.

Just further to this if you don't mind Ryan, if I was to leave my tube amp for half an hour or so, is it better to turn it off or is leaving it on standby OK (especially as far as wear on the tubes goes)?

[AmpShop]

There's valid arguments for both sides of that question. Personally, I reckon leave it on standby - you've taken the HT voltage off the tubes, so they're just sitting there remaining heated, which usually means a better sound anyway

[Gelato]

There's valid arguments for both sides of that question. Personally, I reckon leave it on standby - you've taken the HT voltage off the tubes, so they're just sitting there remaining heated, which usually means a better sound anyway

Cool, thanks for that

[angry_young_poet]

Ryan you are a wealth of knowledge

on a side note i left my amp on standby all night once..

[AmpShop]

I've done that a few times. Not really a problem unless you've got one of those vintage amps that keeps getting hotter and hotter and hotter and hotter ...

[ash]

they're just sitting there remaining heated

Cool

You weren't listening were you...

[ash]

There's valid arguments for both sides of that question. Personally, I reckon leave it on standby - you've taken the HT voltage off the tubes, so they're just sitting there remaining heated, which usually means a better sound anyway

My Marshall sounds arse until it has had 30-60 minutes of standby warm up.
It sounds best after some time playing at volume, which must get other bits and peices up to temperature like the output transformer.

Unfortunately it rarely get that opportunity.

[AmpShop]

Seems to be a Marshall thing, I've spoken to a couple of tube customers who have the same issue.

On the flipside, I've played a vintage Marshall that started to sound like arse after about an hour of being on and played.

[Gelato]

they're just sitting there remaining heated

Cool

You weren't listening were you...