So I am finally upgrading from my solid state microstack to a Blackheart BH5H half stack - it's on the UPS truck right now and should be at my house this afternoon. I've never played tubes outside of GC so I'm pretty psheched. My question is how to warm it up - how long to have it inside after a long time on the cold truck before I turn it on, how long after I turn it on should I wait to play, etc. Any suggestions would be MUCH appreciated.

Thanks

Does that one have a stand-by switch? I've notice most smaller tube amps don't have one. Usually with the Marshall I wait about 10 min give or take.

_________________
-Classic 50's Strat.
-Std. Telecaster.
-Mike Dirnt P-bass.
-Custody of SE Strat.
-Peavey Predator/Dean Evo/Epiphone DR150/Gibson Slide (much older than me).

Rellik Productions Inc.

nope - no standby, this thing is pretty bare bones - on/off, pentode/triode, base, middle, treble, volume.

And this is in the Strat Forum because.....?

because it's not a fender amp and I was hoping for some advice from some fellow strat players

Get the volume (master and gain) controls to zero. Switch the amp on. Leave it 30 sec's at most (i check my tuning) and raise the volume controls to play levels. To switch off lower the volume and gain and flick the switch.

It should be in the amp forum mate. nobody here cares about brand, just tone.

_________________
No no and no

sorry - I'll move it over there

It fine to post amp questions here, but this particular message seems to be better equiped for the amp section, since its not strat and amp related, but more general amp related. It still fine by me, but you may et more and better quality responses in the amp section.

Anyway, I do start my amp in standby for about 20-30 seconds, as the mesa manual suggested. Never have I seen an amp manufacturer recommend more than this, but I guess it wouldn't hurt. The Mesa manual also went on to say that they have simulated 100's of powerups without using standby without issues, but still recommended a warmup to extend tube life. You just don't want high plate vltages hitting cold plates. The high heat and cold cause too rapid of a expansion and this compromises tube life. It does not hurt the amp itself

I think if you are playing at low volumes, your probably fine anyway. Too much is made of tube amp maintenance. My experience is you can use them like any other amp for the most part and they are very reliable. I have owned mine, bought new, since 1995 and had only one tube failure that caused fuses to blow. I retubed it in about 1999 or 2000 and its worked great since.

My advice is plug in your amp and start enjoying it to its fullest, just give it a minute before you dime it. Worry about when and if a problem pops up, otherwise just enjoy

_________________
Guitars:
1. mid 70's Ventura MIJ Gibson l6-s clone (Pre-lawsuit) in Black with Rosewood FB and EMG 81 BR/ 85 Neck
2. ESP KH2 Neck Thru
3. 2008 Am Std Strat in 3 tone sunburst

let us know how it sounds

good choice buddy that's the ap I.I run the head thru a 12" marshall cab. It's a great wee amp you'll be pleasantly surpised at the range you'll get from it. The cleans are lovely, the break up is great and isn't at ear splitting volumes and the pent/triode switch is definately handy. Sounds great with my strat!