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Post subject: Tube longevity and replacement, should I...
Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2011 10:07 pm
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Hi guys. I think I am ready to switch from solid state to a tube combo.
I wonder about the difference between a 10 inch and a 12 inch speaker amp.
Can I count on long tube life? Are tubes hard to replace?
Is it true I must wait for the amp to cool down before moving it?
Appreciate your advice out there...

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Post subject: Re: Tube longevity and replacement, should I...
Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2011 11:03 pm
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Tube/valves lifetime is not an issue, more than 1000h. But some valves fail after a couple of hours. Preamp valves are plug&play. Amp valves need usually to be biased, but it is not very difficult.
A good habit is to swich in standby in order to cool down and discharge high voltages supplies and finally swiched off. When the amp temperature is raisonably down you can move it.
For 10 vs 12 inch speakers, there are so much paramaters, your ear is your friend.

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Post subject: Re: Tube longevity and replacement, should I...
Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 12:43 am
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Tis-san wrote:
Tube/valves lifetime is not an issue, more than 1000h. But some valves fail after a couple of hours. Preamp valves are plug&play. Amp valves need usually to be biased, but it is not very difficult.
A good habit is to swich in standby in order to cool down and discharge high voltages supplies and finally swiched off. When the amp temperature is raisonably down you can move it.
For 10 vs 12 inch speakers, there are so much paramaters, your ear is your friend.


+1

To amplify on the comparison between speaker sizes, the 10-inch speaker yields a total radiating cone area of 78.5 square inches while the 12-inch driver provides 113 square inches -- a not insignificant difference when system efficiency and overall volume of the amp are considered. As well, the larger loudspeaker *usually* has the better bass response which likewise translates into a more articulate tone throughout the frequency spectrum. Finally, there are substantially more available choices when opting for the 12-inch speaker.

HTH

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Tube longevity and replacement, should I...
Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 5:53 am
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Switch from solid state to tubes is a very good choice. You never return to solid state after .

As Tis-sa write tube life is like 1000 hr , long time. And this wort the expense to have a good tone.
IMO a 12 inches is the best choice. But I won't say no to a bargain amp with 10 inches.

THE ONLY problem with tube amps is to have a good and honest tech to do some repair .


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Post subject: Re: Tube longevity and replacement, should I...
Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 9:02 am
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Thanks Retroverbial! A 12¨inch speaker it will be!
I wonder if you personally think Mesa amps are worth the extra money?

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Post subject: Re: Tube longevity and replacement, should I...
Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 9:18 am
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I guess I've owned sixty or seventy amps over the years.

Not a one of them ever had a Mesa-Boogie hood ornament.

If you're interested in tweakable gain stages and a lot of sonic versatility, I'd recommend you take an Egnater for a test drive. No, I don't own one -- never even played one in a store. But from what I've read from gentlemen here whose opinions I respect, it's a line of amps definitely worthy of consideration. I hope to demo one soon myself.

HTH

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Post subject: Re: Tube longevity and replacement, should I...
Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 9:43 am
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Retroverbial!
I am looking at a Fender Blues Junior. 12¨driver, 15 watts.
Then there´s the Hot Rod Deluxe, 12¨driver, 40 watts....
I have heard the deluxe, it is loud.
I am wondering if the Blues Junior, with only 15 watts would be unsuitable to rehearse over a bassist and drummer?

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Post subject: Re: Tube longevity and replacement, should I...
Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 9:43 am
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I never wait for them to cool down before I move mine. Issues: 0

Sometimes it's not possible to leave your amp to sit for 20 minutes or whatever - especially when your band has to strike their gear immediately when you're done playing.

If you're looking at the HRD, then I would suggest you give the Peavey Classic 30 a test drive as well before deciding.

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Post subject: Re: Tube longevity and replacement, should I...
Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 1:57 pm
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Avoid the HRD. The Peavey Classic 30 is a great suggestion PTM. For you Mike http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/ ... -combo-amp

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Post subject: Re: Tube longevity and replacement, should I...
Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 2:04 pm
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cherokee747 wrote:
Avoid the HRD. The Peavey Classic 30 is a great suggestion PTM. For you Mike http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/ ... -combo-amp


+1

Ditch the Sheffield speaker in favor of a vintage Jensen C15N and the Classic 30 is one fine kickass platform!

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Tube longevity and replacement, should I...
Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 2:12 pm
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cherokee747 wrote:
Avoid the HRD. The Peavey Classic 30 is a great suggestion PTM. For you Mike http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/ ... -combo-amp


Thanks Red Dirt Man!

What will I hear on a blind-fold test, solid state vs tube?

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Post subject: Re: Tube longevity and replacement, should I...
Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 2:57 pm
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Seriously, check out the Egnater line. The Tweaker and Rebel series are incredible sounding, versatile amps. My Rebel 20 is two years old, gogged on a regular basis and I have not had one single problem, and they don't need to be modded to sound great or be reliable. The Peavey and Jet City amps are also great picks.

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Post subject: Re: Tube longevity and replacement, should I...
Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 7:41 pm
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63supro wrote:
Seriously, check out the Egnater line. The Tweaker and Rebel series are incredible sounding, versatile amps. My Rebel 20 is two years old, gogged on a regular basis and I have not had one single problem, and they don't need to be modded to sound great or be reliable. The Peavey and Jet City amps are also great picks.


All great suggestions from Supro...I own a Jet City that I love, but I suggest if you can afford it, go with an Egnater. The Rebel and Tweaker lines both are great sounding amps. There's a very good chance my next amp will be a rebel30 combo.
That being said, if your budget is a little lower, I think Jet City is putting out the best products in their price range. My JCA2112RC ( http://www.guitarcenter.com/Jet-City-Am ... =jca2112rc ) cost me $299 on sale when I bought it, and at 20watts has plenty of grunt to jam with a full band. I have played several more expensive and more popular amps since I purchased it, not many of them sounded as good to my ears. If you play rock or blues you can't go wrong with a Jet City. Just suggestions of course. The best bet will be to determine your budget and your needs and then head out to your local music shop and play some amps within your price range and decide what's gonna be best for you.

EDIT: I prefer 12" speakers over 10"s. I like the extra low end.

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Post subject: Re: Tube longevity and replacement, should I...
Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 1:16 pm
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That is just wrong and a commonly thought misconception.
The standby switch (on amps that have one) does not allow the tubes to cool down or discharge any high voltages.
It simply stops the power tubes from outputting, all the tube heater elements and cap voltages are maintained so the amp is instantly ready to function when taken off standby.

If it allowed anything to cool down you would have to wait for the amp to come back up to working temperatures before using it again (ie: same as if it was powered off, which is not a desired effect)

Tis-san wrote:
A good habit is to switch in standby in order to cool down and discharge high voltages supplies and finally switched off. When the amp temperature is reasonably down you can move it.
.

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Post subject: Re: Tube longevity and replacement, should I...
Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 10:15 pm
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Oh and to answer this question:

mike07502 wrote:
Are tubes hard to replace?


Can you change a light bulb? Pull old one out, push new one in.

I was just re-reading the previous posts about 10" vs. 12" speakers. Really, it's all a matter of taste. Just through the amps I've ended up keeping and enjoying, it turns out I'm a fan of 10" speakers for guitar without even realizing it! I like the brighter focused tone of the 10's. By no means does that make them better than 12's - just my personal preference. Point is, trust your own ears.

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