Tube amps and how long they last

nusstu

nusstu

New member
Hi All,

I'm thinking of making a switch from a solid state to a tube amp and was wondering how long do tubes last and are they difficult to maintain?
Also, I heard that they're easier to repair but I don't see shops selling stand alone tubes or do they?

Thanks for any input guys :)

Gene
 
I dun see how you can repair a tube... :confused:

But anyways, they last for quite a long while. :)
If you take care, they can last for up to 4 years,
maybe more, depending on usage?
But if you trash them(over-boost/cold run), 1 year, max...
Man... I have seen tubes glowing nearly white once.

You can get replacement tubes from various places.
They are quite common,
just need to know the type of tube you are going to replace, 12AX7?

Chk this store at http://www.wellaudiolab.com/
Recommended by a fellow softie: vernplum .

Or you can go to... The Adelphi beside Funan where there are all sorts of exp audio stuff. But only when you know what you are really looking for.

EDIT: Sorry, forgot to type that they do not need maintenance, its like a light bulb? lols

Cheerios.
 
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Sorry, no slangs this time, my bad. (´・ω・)つ

Yeah, running up without switching to standby.
Tubes need to warm up as this prevents rapid expansion to whatever there is in the tubes when you turn on the full current. :)

Cheerios
 
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Hey zeurel,

Thanks for the reply. I seen you've been using the AC30VR. Just curious howmuch did you get them for and where?

Also, was considering gettin AC15CC1. However, I went to City Music and they have them in Greenbacks. So, was thinking of switching to Alnico Blue any idea where I can get the Blue? http://www.wellaudiolab.com doesn't seem to sell drivers.

Thanks.
 
Sorry man. I cannot advice you on where to get your Celestions.
But buying replacement speakers just for this is a bad idea, its not worth the $$.

But anyways I shd have gotten my 30VR for around 550 to 650?
I am sure that they have started selling it at City Music.(Aussie bought)
And my 15VR at 200 as it was secondhand.(once in a lifetime thing, brand new to me.) (＾▽＾)

I see that you are going full tube there. That is awesome!
But 2 speakers really makes the tone jump at you, but it is not for the bedroom.
Ever considered the NightTrain? You can get a mix and match Cab.
But no efx loop... what a waste...
 
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Zeruel!!!!!!!!

Lols man lols day one here and I see your post bro.
I will be back soon(AUG) and I will need my AC15VR.
Dun you dare sell it man. I am watching this forum.:rolleyes:

You got mail.
 
D*mn, busted.

Lols, I am not even using your 15VR. （￣ー￣）
Its sitting around in storage now.
Or shd I say... MY 15VR? lol

Yeah, and you got mail, RMB to buy my EMGs!
Love you bro! *smucks* <3
 
nusstu said:
Also, was considering gettin AC15CC1. However, I went to City Music and they have them in Greenbacks. So, was thinking of switching to Alnico Blue any idea where I can get the Blue? http://www.wellaudiolab.com doesn't seem to sell drivers.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

The ones with the Greenbacks are the new and MUCH improved Vox AC15C1. They have impressed and won over many many players who have looked down on the older AC15CC1.

Btw, tubes do need maintainence. However, for bedroom use at low volumes tubes can last for very long time, maybe even 5 years before you need to change them. But if you're using an attenuator and playing the amp at full volume the tubes will wear down faster. Even though its at a manageable volume.

Changing tubes can actually be done by yourself even. Just that, rebiasing them may be an issue, so, just take it to an amp tech anyway.
 
zeruel said:
Sorry, no slangs this time, my bad. (´・ω・)つ

Yeah, running up without switching to standby.
Tubes need to warm up as this prevents rapid expansion to whatever there is in the tubes when you turn on the full current. :)

Cheerios
Click to expand...

Now I know what the standby switch is for. So you switch on your amp, switch on standby and just wait for it to warm up right? How long is the warm up?

Sorry I had to ask alot of question. Never had a tube amp and this is for my own knowledge. Thank you.
 
No prob bro.

I usually warm it up for 2-4 mins?
It gets warm really fast.

dudelove: I think nusstu meant the tube itself... :confused:
You cannot fix a tube. Right? You replace it...
 
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Hi Zeruel,

Thanks for the info. I haven't tried a NightTrain yet last checked with City Music they don't seem to have it in yet. I'm ok WITHOUT those fancy effects I prefer a nice tone. Haha..so worth checking them out.

I think dudelove meant to replace the tubes. Though, I dunno what he meant by biasing lol..i'm not trained in EE.

BTW, what are attenuators are they the same as a boost pedal?

Thanks.
 
Tubes are replaceable so if they become faulty for some reason you replace them, not repair them.

I myself don't know how to bias a tube amp and all the bullshit behind it. But I know power tubes should be biased when they are changed. And I know that you should always leave that to an amp tech because you can kill yourself doing so.

Attenuators are the opposite of a boost pedal. They allow your amp to be cranked so that you can achieve power amp and preamp distortion, without destroying your ears. The tubes will be working real hard but the attenuator lowers the volume of the amp overall. Its like a huge master volume control.
 
hi dudelove,

Thanks for the info. But, would using a boost pedal increase the gain of the guitar signal and hence also cause an overdriven sound on a tube amp? I just thought that this would be easier on the tubes since we don't have to crank up the volume too much? haha...any idea about this or maybe its a crazy idea.
 
Exactly. Thats why people use overdrive pedals into clean tube amps for manageable volumes at home. A good pedal can sound like a good tube amp, but technically its still not your amp overdriving.
 
I suggest you wait.. :twisted:

My good friend who's also a softie has been through a painful process of finding the perfect metal pedal, been disappointed with many, and trust me, he's extremely picky. And the perfect one for him was the Blackstar DistX. Before that he had a Hardwire Metal distortion which he liked but wasn't really doing it for him either.
 
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