It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 4:12 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 14 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Twin Reverb Reissue warm up time
Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2011 12:30 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2011 11:35 am
Posts: 2
I have a TRRI, I am not sure of the year, it always sounds good but it really starts to sound great after a couple of hours of playing time. Everytime we get done playing I look at the amplifier and ask why didn't it sound that way when we first started.

I am not a real tube amp guru and am wondering if something can be done to the amp so that it does not take hours to get the truly great tones this thing is capable of producing.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated!


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Twin Reverb Reissue warm up time
Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2011 12:44 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
Hi tornadoman59,

Are you sure that it is not just that yours ears are beaten into submission after a couple of hours? :lol:

I would start by checking the bias to see how hot the output tubes are running. Might need an adjustment, possibly running too cool as is. You could run them as hot as about 45 mA Plate (50 mA Cathode) per tube assuming about 440 Plate volts. :idea:

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Twin Reverb Reissue warm up time
Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2011 1:19 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
+1

I'd agree with my esteemed colleague shimmilou -- these amps are shipped from Corona with the bias deliberately set low in order to extend the life of the output tubes. A re-bias and possibly a different quartet of 6L6's may be all that's needed. That said, many tube amps do in fact sound better after they've been driven hard for a while. Most of mine (both vintage and re-issue) are like that.

HTH

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Twin Reverb Reissue warm up time
Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2011 2:16 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Aug 08, 2011 11:35 am
Posts: 2
Thanks guys. I will get the amp into a tech to have it checked out.

If it is tubes, do you have any suggestions for replacements or should I stick with the original groove tubes?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Twin Reverb Reissue warm up time
Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2011 2:33 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
If your tubes check good, sound good, and are not microphonic, I see no reason to replace them merely in the interest of bragging rights. However, biasing the OEM GT's hotter may decrease their service life so be prepared down the road for that event. BTW, you might have your tech take a look at V6 (the phase-inverter stage). That tube -- like all your pre-amp bottles -- is a dual-triode. For optimum symmetry at the amp's output stage, this 12AT7 should have balanced trans-conductance between the halves.

If you do in fact need new glass, the EHX 6L6's are a quality, cost-effective option. Other choices would include Svetlana winged C's (if you can still find them), Red Ruby's, and those from TAD.

HTH

Rawk on!

8)

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Twin Reverb Reissue warm up time
Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 8:05 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Aug 21, 2009 1:45 pm
Posts: 852
Location: SoCal323
Don't know if it's applicable in your situation, but maybe you can turn on the amp and leave it in stand-by at least two hours before you gig/practice/jam, etc. Just a thought....
Abe.

_________________
Its a lifestyle.....

Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Twin Reverb Reissue warm up time
Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 8:26 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2007 2:19 pm
Posts: 8827
If your amp needs to warm up for more than a few minutes, there's a problem with the amp. My Twin never needed more than five minutes tops. If I'm not getting paid, I'm not showing up two hours early to warm up my amp, I'd be spending two hours trying out a new amp. :lol:

_________________
Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Twin Reverb Reissue warm up time
Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 8:36 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
63supro wrote:
If your amp needs to warm up for more than a few minutes, there's a problem with the amp. My Twin never needed more than five minutes tops. If I'm not getting paid, I'm not showing up two hours early to warm up my amp, I'd be spending two hours trying out a new amp. :lol:


+1

I plug in my amp and switch it into standby the moment I arrive at a venue. By the time I've deployed my pedal board and tuned up, it's ready to rock. That goes for every amp in my herd, from my 47-year old Pro Amp to a late model TRRI.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Twin Reverb Reissue warm up time
Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 7:46 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Aug 21, 2009 1:45 pm
Posts: 852
Location: SoCal323
The op stated "it always sounds good, but after two hours it sounds great", so I don't think he has a warm up issue. I admit, my "two hour" comment was a bit exagerrated but given the circumstances maybe it's just old tubes or bias setting. But I do agree with you supro, if it takes two hours to "warm up", there is definately a problem.

_________________
Its a lifestyle.....

Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Twin Reverb Reissue warm up time
Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 7:49 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Aug 21, 2009 1:45 pm
Posts: 852
Location: SoCal323
+1

I plug in my amp and switch it into standby the moment I arrive at a venue. By the time I've deployed my pedal board and tuned up, it's ready to rock. That goes for every amp in my herd, from my 47-year old Pro Amp to a late model TRRI.

Arjay[/quote]

+1

Excellent advice.

Abe

_________________
Its a lifestyle.....

Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Twin Reverb Reissue warm up time
Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 8:33 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
The "warm-up" issue that the OP alluded to may not even be tube-related......it might also be the result of a confluence of other components within the chassis reaching their optimum operating temperature (especially the output tranny). This is a common phenomenon, especially so with older tube gear.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Twin Reverb Reissue warm up time
Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 10:45 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jul 03, 2010 2:18 pm
Posts: 6544
Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if that Twin Reverb RI takes a little longer to reach a steady-state tone... that OPT is pretty darn big. From my experience with Hiwatt that use oversized trannies, they can be biased spot-on & still sound kinda sterile for the first 15-20 minutes.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Twin Reverb Reissue warm up time
Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 11:04 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Oct 08, 2010 12:45 am
Posts: 2244
Location: Pittsburg, CA
I usually only warm up my amp for about 5 minutes. I've never noticed any difference in tone after playing.

_________________
Check out my new FB music page!

https://www.facebook.com/TheDevilandMe.Music

Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Twin Reverb Reissue warm up time
Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 8:57 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Aug 21, 2009 1:45 pm
Posts: 852
Location: SoCal323
Retroverbial wrote:
The "warm-up" issue that the OP alluded to may not even be tube-related......it might also be the result of a confluence of other components within the chassis reaching their optimum operating temperature (especially the output tranny). This is a common phenomenon, especially so with older tube gear.

Arjay


Solid advise, I got to thinking about that same thing last night and that makes more sense.
Abe

_________________
Its a lifestyle.....

Image


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 14 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: