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Post by Guitar1 on Dec 8, 2012 15:19:17 GMT -7
I have read quite a bit about tube life being shortened, sometime significantly, with the use of an attentuator. No where in this forum does anyone address this. I take it that the higher the attentuation the faster the tubes go and vice versa. Is the trade off worth it?
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Post by heynewguy (Ol’ Bill) on Dec 8, 2012 16:36:09 GMT -7
I don't think it would be an issue. It would be just like normal use. Myles would be the one to answer this.
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Post by smolder on Dec 8, 2012 17:24:06 GMT -7
Yes... if you run your amp harder (because you have a brakelite) and you play more 'cause it's funner (because you have a brakelite) you will probably go through power tubes slightly faster.
Wouldn't worry about it.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Dec 9, 2012 11:46:17 GMT -7
It's complicated. If you study amp design, you come to realize that a true class A design runs hottest with no signal applied. Doc's designs are not true class A, but they are close to the same thing. It would be fun to study the design to be sure, but in my opinion, these amps wear out tubes the fastest when they are idling. You get more tube life by playing them. If I'm right about that, attenuating has no bearing on tube life.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2012 11:00:01 GMT -7
Running the amp hard wears tubes whether you attenuate or not. EL84s do not have a long life. Some say 30 hrs. Others say 300. Depends on who you talk to and which manufacturer you are discussing.
Steve - I have heard the same thing about idle tubes. Best to burn them up while playing.
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Post by vanceen on Dec 17, 2012 11:38:37 GMT -7
My understanding is that the attenuator itself does not affect tube life.
If you dime your amp every time you play, your tubes will fail sooner whether you use an attenuator or not. The only difference is that you will still have your hearing when you order a new set of tubes.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Dec 17, 2012 15:43:44 GMT -7
My understanding is that the attenuator itself does not affect tube life. If you dime your amp every time you play, your tubes will fail sooner whether you use an attenuator or not. The only difference is that you will still have your hearing when you order a new set of tubes. I've said it that exact way many times.
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