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Post subject: Champion 600 standby question?
Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 8:02 am
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I recently bought a Champion 600. My other amps are all solid state so I'm not very experienced with tube amps. The Champion 600 doesn't have a stancby switch like most tube amps. Doesn't switching on the cold tube damage it? Or doesn't this apply to the circuit of this amp?

What do you suggest that I do when I play through my Champion? Waiting a few minutes before playing after switching on or turning volume down or something?


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Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 9:47 am
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I've looked into it a little, and much like the Tele v. Strat arguments (Strat FTW) there's a lot of argument. I turn the volume down all the way and leave mine on for a few minutes.....usually while I plug everything in and tune up. Haven't had mine for long, (and don't get to play it enough as it is) but it seems to work.

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Post subject: Re: Champion 600 standby question?
Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 2:21 pm
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plymouth58 wrote:
What do you suggest that I do when I play through my Champion? Waiting a few minutes before playing after switching on or turning volume down or something?


I agree with Staredge -

I have a vintage Champ that I use - no standby switch. I turn the volume down to "zero" then turn off the amp. When I turn on the amp I let the tubes warm up a few minutes, turn up the volume, then play. I turn the amp completely down to switch guitars.


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Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 6:29 am
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No you won't damage it. I've had many amps overs the years and still have my 74 Champ that does not have one. Just turn it on and go. You really don't need to turn the volume down to zero but if it makes you feel better do it. The tubes in my Champ are ancient and have no problems.


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Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 7:11 am
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Ok. Thanks for your input guys. 8)

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Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 11:27 am
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While a standby switch is intended to protect the tubes, I have always turned my volume down to protect my speakers. Just as you might flip to standby to change guitars to protect the speaker from unwanted sharp noises. I would think that crackle of plugging the guitar doesn't help the life of the tube either.

I have a personal preference in protecting my speaker just as much as the tubes. :wink: Considering the cost of all of this equipment.... I prefer to error on the side of caution. :D

I did find this article interesting...... Lost Knowledge on Tube Amps

"What's a "standby switch?" Fenders, Marshalls, Traynors, Boogie's all have one. Its purpose is to put the amp on idle while you take a break. The tubes have a filament that has to be heated up in order for the tube to work. Heating the filament is why the amp has to "warm up."

The standby switch leaves the filament heated up, and turns off the power and preamp stages. You can flip the standby switch off after a break and play right away. This extends tube life, as the filament doesn't have to be reheated every 45 minutes.

For a short break in the bar or club, put it on standby. But, if you and the other guys in the band are going away - turn all the amps completely off. A tube can go bad at any time. If the amp is on standby when the tube shorts out, you may have some damage. Only use the Standby switch when you are still around the amp.

When you first turn the amp on, turn on the on-off switch, but leave it on standby for about 2 minutes. This allows the filaments to heat up and be working right before you start playing."


I interpret that last paragraph to say.... "Turn your amp on - keep the volume to zero - let the tubes warm up for a couple of minutes.... then have at it." :lol: Maybe Zero volume is the standby switch for these lower watt amps.


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Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 12:01 pm
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Don't know. I never had a problem with my 76 Twin either. When I'm gigging, I always have my guitar volume on zero the amp in standby. I don't like fussing with the amps volume after I have it set up. My cord and effects if I'm using any are plugged in before I switch on the amp.

I don't really think about it. I guess it's all automatic. Your amp will not spontaneously combust if you don't use a standby. I've never noticed any tube life problems or differences between my standby and non-standby switch equipped amps.

I think a standby switch is more of a convenience. Years ago before we had the standby switch, you either just left your amp on with your guitars volume turned down or just shut it off. Nobody ran around yelling, "The sky is falling".

On the other hand, tubes today are pretty bad reliability wise compared to the old RCA, Tung Sol, Jan's, GE's etc. I think that's more of the reason today. The 6v6 in my 74 Champ is a GE as well as the 5y3 rectifier tube. Still working and testing good. I replaced the GT's in my HRDlx after 2 months. The 6l6's rattled and one failed completely and one of my preamp tubes went microphonic shortly after.

Like I said earlier, do whatever floats yer boat.,
Me, I don't stress over it. :D


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Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 12:31 pm
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My take on it is this, with lower powered practice amps, where you probably don't crank it too loud, and take multiple short breaks inbetween sets, it may not be as necessary. The explanation that I read is that standby switch heats the filament, which also help with proper electron flow. Also, that the plates have a high current going through them, and you do not want high currents going through a cold plate, as it could cause premature shorting of the tube. This came from Mesa Boogie, and then they went on to say that my amp had been tested for hundreds of full power cold startup's without failure. Tubes work best hot, and the standby allows you to take a break from a gig, and keep the tubes hot for the best sound/operation.

Amps deisigned for practice have much less need for a standby due to less current going to the tube plate, and no need to take short breaks between sets. Standby is for amps designed to gig, as you don't want the extra wear that comes from multiple heating and cooling of the tube in realtive short time frames, especially in a gig situation where you need volume right away whe the set starts.

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Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 10:39 pm
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I didn't bother about this at first because I trust the people at Fender :wink: , but running into this evilbay auction made me think:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Alnicomagnet-Mod- ... 9004r38058

Quote:
What's more, there's no Standby Switch, meaning that when the amp is switched on from cold, the 6V6GT valve gets zapped by a whopping 416V until it warms up and starts to conduct. This initial shock tears and rips off the special coating on the cathode, causing "cathode stripping". Again, reducing valve life. This sudden high voltage also attacks the coupling capacitors, and tone stack network.


No need to worry then, thanks for your advice on this. 8)

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Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 6:20 am
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This is just ridiculous. Does the disk tell you you'll void your 5 year warranty by modding the amp? They act like the amp will explode every time you turn it on LOL.


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Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 10:09 am
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Interesting marketing technique...... fear that your amp will burst into flames.

There is this thing called product liability. :lol: Fender or any other manufacturer is not going to intentionally put something in the marketplace that is going to be hazardous.... okay.... except certain Detroit automakers :lol:


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Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 11:14 am
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I don't get the problem. If it bothers everyone so much, take it to a tech and have a standby put in, or don't but it. In the meantime I'll enjoy my 30+ year old amps that don't have them. :wink:


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Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 1:38 pm
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63supro wrote:
I don't get the problem. If it bothers everyone so much, take it to a tech and have a standby put in, or don't but it. In the meantime I'll enjoy my 30+ year old amps that don't have them. :wink:


Exactly..... As more than one person has said to me.... "Leo Fender was a genesis." Our Champ amps are just fine - no standby switch. Furthermore, I trust the Fender engineers - they know what they are doing.


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Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 3:24 pm
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I wouldn't go that far. Look at the Hot Rod Series. :?


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