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Post subject: Newbie question...
Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:13 pm
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Professional Musician
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Joined: Sun May 18, 2008 1:35 pm
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Location: DC
Hi guys... I dont know much about tube amps .. I have a small marshall AVT which uses one pre amp tube.. but im thinking of maybe buyin an all tube amp in the future.... my question is how long do tubes last? and how do you know when they need to be changed??????


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Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 8:58 am
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Location: 16 Miles North Of The Red River
I owned an early 70s silverface Fender Bassman Ten until a few years ago. I bought it used (and vaguely abused) from a funky old guitar shop here in Fort Worth, Texas. I used the snot out of it--and abused it slightly myself; no road case (it was heavy enough as it was!) played everywhere and thrown in the back of cars, etc.

The amp was about thirty years old when it finally had to be serviced. The tech called me and said I just needed some new tubes and filter caps (capacitors that filter out incoming noise--something that just "dies" eventually on every amp). He laughed because the tubes were the original from-the-factory bottles from circa 1972!

Now, that is a little rare--usually they don't last that long, but I have an early 90s Fender 1963RI Vibroverb--it still has the original valves as well, after 16 years...and no signs of slowing down!

So to answer your question, don't worry about how long tubes last--you'll be just fine...

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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 9:08 am
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The amp will let you know. If you get noises, or if you start blowing fuses check the tubes. If you blow fuses, it's more than likely the power tubes.


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Post subject: Tubes?
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 2:10 pm
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What a fine subject for a tube!
The folks at the repair shop that service everyone, will tell you what is good for the store, "Power Tubes Need to be changed out every Three months". But for the normal Joe, I agree that the amp will talk to you if you listen! Be sensitive to your amp and you will hear the beginings of a slight grinding sound at the end of your note. This will tell you that something is wrong and it's time to have it checked out.

It's like your car! Proper mantainance will go a long way.
Having your Power Tubes changed and your bias set doesn't cost that much
compaired to the pleasure you will recieve from great tone.


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