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Post by 909one on Aug 22, 2006 19:19:24 GMT -7
With my Maz 38 I have really gotten into cranking the volume knob on the furthest left of the amp all the way up, then using my guitar's volume to control all the different shades of the distortion. I love it so much that i even stopped using distortion pedals, the volume cranked sounds better than any distortion pedal I have ever owned. Anyway, my question is... does running the amp constantly this way do any damage to the amp? Do the tubes wear out faster? Any knowledge on the subject much appreciated!
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Post by guitarboy02451 on Aug 23, 2006 2:46:38 GMT -7
No, this doesn't do any damage to the amp, you are using it as it was designed to be used.
Tube life is going to vary on how much you use the amp. Myles states that around 300 hours of constant use it will be due for a power tube change. Although, I can attest that after a year and several gigs and constant playing, I'm still using the same EL84's.
If you love that sound but find it's a tad bit loud, you can always get a Z-Brake. You might find even richer distortion with the attenuator on.
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Post by billyguitar on Aug 23, 2006 7:59:54 GMT -7
I don't know how tro keep track of the hours but on my Maz 38 I gigged 2 or 3 times a month and then everyday for about 1/2 hour or so, plus rehearsals 2 or 3 times a month. At 6 months I replaced the output tubes and it made a heck of a difference. The amp sounded MUCH better. The EL84s wore down so slow and steady I didn't notice. The only tubes getting much wear in this case are the preamp tubes. They last much longer.
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Post by Telemanic on Aug 23, 2006 10:28:37 GMT -7
Yeah, also it would be the "master" volume, that if run high on a consistent and regular basis, would probably contribute to a shorter lifespan of the El84's. They are usually running in closer to, or true class A operation, in many amps, and tend to run kinda hot. A pretty hard workin tube, hence the cooling fan. The Volume knob is mostly controling preamp or "front end" gain, and youd have to ask myles if running the pre at max settings consistently, reduces it's life span. It's probably just an academic curiousity tho, because the pre amp tubes typically have a life of many thousands of hours, so crank it up !!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2006 16:09:36 GMT -7
Isn't the "Volume" knob on the furthest left of the amp while facing the front of the amp the "Master"? It is on mine. DougG
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Post by 909one on Aug 23, 2006 16:10:17 GMT -7
Well this is good to know.... I love the way it sounds when its cranked. Like I said, no distortion pedal even comes close to the sound of that preamp cranked. I got the Fulltone OCD a while ago.. That pedal sounds good, but I am temporarily retiring that pedal even. Cheers.
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Post by 909one on Aug 23, 2006 16:12:03 GMT -7
Isn't the "Volume" knob on the furthest left of the amp while facing the front of the amp the "Master"? It is on mine. DougG Mine just says "volume" Do you have the model with the black knobs or the white knobs?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2006 16:13:42 GMT -7
White knobs
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2006 16:16:38 GMT -7
It's a 2004 head.
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Post by guitarboy02451 on Aug 23, 2006 18:56:17 GMT -7
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Post by Curt on Aug 23, 2006 19:29:09 GMT -7
Isn't the "Volume" knob on the furthest left of the amp while facing the front of the amp the "Master"? It is on mine. DougG Depends on head or combo? some models are reversed.
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Post by dock66 on Aug 24, 2006 7:01:02 GMT -7
You are right Curt,mine is a 2x12 combo and it is reverse.
dock66
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2006 19:30:56 GMT -7
Ah-Ha
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