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Post subject: warm up cool down
Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 12:24 pm
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I am looking for some advise on the proper amp warm up and cool down procedures. Specifically, when you turn the power on how long do you wait before taking it off standby and start playing and when you shut down, how long do you wait to turn off the power after you have switched it to standby.

Oh yeah I am referring to a 1965 DRRI limited edition blond tolex.

Steve


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Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 1:49 pm
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From what I understand, it doesn't take all that long for your tubes to warm up. You should keep your amp on standby for at least about 30 seconds after turning it on. When you're finished playing, your amp can be turned off right away (of course, if you're just taking a quick break, leave it on standby).


Last edited by schnepf13 on Mon Aug 03, 2009 2:45 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 2:44 pm
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I have a Blues Deville and normally wait about a minute after turning it on to take it out of standby. When I'm done playing I just turn it off unless I plan to come back to it within 15-20 minutes or so in which case I put it in standby.


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Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 4:15 pm
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I can't say anything about your specific amp, but I've used tube amps in general (Bassman, Twin Reverb in days of old, Super 210, SCXD today). I'd give it 30 seconds or so.

Shutdown - no specific time unless you're moving it into a very cold (like winter) environment. In that case, I always let them cool for 15 - 20 minutes. There's a small chance that a very hot tube hit suddenly by very cold air will shatter.


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Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 4:39 pm
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sounds good, I am new to tube amps and wanted to make sure I was not doing anything that would reduce the life of the tubes or the amp.


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Posted: Mon Aug 03, 2009 4:52 pm
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philip602 wrote:
....................

Shutdown - no specific time unless you're moving it into a very cold (like winter) environment. In that case, I always let them cool for 15 - 20 minutes. There's a small chance that a very hot tube hit suddenly by very cold air will shatter.


yes - I have heard that too. and it makes sense.

I just make it a habit to let it stand a few minutes before even moving the amp. Just to give the tubes, their internals and other "stuff" a little time to cool off before bouncing them around.

Maybe I'm just a bit over cautious, but like it says - an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. :wink:

Anyway - it can't hurt it to just stand there for a few minutes. (unless the place is burning down around it of course :lol: )


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Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 12:35 am
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Some amps run hotter than others, I find. If you're going to be moving it after playing, it's best to let the suckers cool down as much as possible. After a three- or four-hour jam, I like to let my Pro Junior (which lacks a standby switch) run with the volume on "0" for five or ten minutes, and then cool for at least half an hour if possible.

As for standby, I think the 30 seconds-to-a-minute rule is a good one. I emulate the same thing on my PJ by letting it run for a minute or so (while I plug in my guitar, tune, etc.) before turning the volume up.


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Posted: Tue Aug 04, 2009 8:48 pm
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Hi Folks, I an old school 3 minute warm up guy, but I use older tubes. It is probably not necessary, and 30 seconds would suffice. Shutdown would just be turning the power off, no standby time. IMHO As for winter and summer, condensation is the issue. I live in th Mid West, and late night tear downs can mean moving a hot amp out into cold air. I've always tried to put the amp into the passenger compartment, but if not, a blanket and get that amp home! Summer time, the amp may go from cool AC to hot and humid, again condensation. Usually, all you can do is get that amp up and running ASAP. In this situation, I would get my spot on the bandstand , set up my power, turn the amp on, then help with PA and other duties. Just my experience.Art


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