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Post by digs57 on May 29, 2017 16:28:25 GMT -7
I know doc had posted that just turning off his amp's...you can just hit power switch and that's it...
Question is it same for every amp?
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Post by zpilot on May 29, 2017 18:54:00 GMT -7
Yes.
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Post by zpilot on May 30, 2017 5:21:41 GMT -7
There are arguments for and against the need for a standby switch on guitar amps. When using any of my amps with 5AR4 rectifiers I hardly ever use the standby switch at all because of that tube's slow-startup characteristic. The only times I do is when switching between pentode and triode modes on my MAZ 8 or when I need to disconnect a speaker.
I'm not even sure that a standby switch is necessary on gear with a solid-state rectifier. My vintage Ampeg Gemini 1 uses a SS rectifier and it does not have one and it still has most of it's original tubes in good condition. Unlike some manufacturers who cut corners everywhere they could (Vox comes to mind here) Ampeg was known for building reliable, long-lasting amps. Even the Fryette PS-2 that I recently bought doesn't have a standby and it uses a SS rectfier. Also, for those old enough to remember tube-type televisions, do you ever remember seeing one with a standby switch? I expect to get some flack on this.
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Post by BritInvasion on May 30, 2017 6:47:00 GMT -7
I basically use the standby as a "mute" switch - during breaks at a gig that are 30 minutes or less , or if I'm switching guitars. Otherwise I don't feel it's needed as far as the amps operation or tube issues are concerned. Just my 2 cents. I believe Doc has posted about this somewhere here.
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Post by zpilot on May 30, 2017 8:06:34 GMT -7
I used to use the standby on breaks but any more I just turn the amp's volume all the way down.
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Post by digs57 on May 30, 2017 8:24:01 GMT -7
Thanks guys...after reading all the sorted views on this...just had to ask...some say that you have to turn standby off before power/some say nay...had me wondering
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Post by KeithA on May 30, 2017 8:41:33 GMT -7
The only thing I do for my amps with the standby switch is have the amp in standby before power up. When I power down, I don't put the amp back in standby....I just power off. Rinse and repeat next time 'round
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Jair Yess
Junior Member
Doctor doctor give me the news, I Got a bad case of loving you
Posts: 66
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Post by Jair Yess on May 30, 2017 9:05:04 GMT -7
I've been doing this all the time, amps without solid state rectifiers; just flick the main power! Prevents arcing on the standby switches. This also helps discharging the filter caps in the amp.
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Post by doctorice on May 30, 2017 10:20:57 GMT -7
I turn the power off and keep strumming the guitar until I don't hear any sounds coming from the amp. Yeah, a bit OCD probably.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on May 30, 2017 16:50:14 GMT -7
Check out the Dr. Z blog from March 20th - this exact topic. (I'd post link but I'm on the beach w/o my computer 😎🌴)
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Post by BritInvasion on May 30, 2017 17:02:00 GMT -7
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Post by digs57 on May 30, 2017 17:49:59 GMT -7
saw that too guys...
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Post by goodez on Jul 30, 2017 12:49:41 GMT -7
I'm a little confused by this: "Power on your amp, then wait a minute or so and engage standby switch. This is the proper use of a standby switch." I always thought you powered on the amp and immediately turned the standby switch on as well until the tubes were warmed up after a minute or so and then disengaged the standby. Have I been doing it wrong? This is from the Dr.Z user manual for the DB4: Stand-By: Leave in off posi (on) for 1 minute when powering up the amp. Turn on for play. Place in off posi (on) for extended break periods.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jul 30, 2017 13:25:28 GMT -7
I'm a little confused by this: "Power on your amp, then wait a minute or so and engage standby switch. This is the proper use of a standby switch." I always thought you powered on the amp and immediately turned the standby switch on as well until the tubes were warmed up after a minute or so and then disengaged the standby. Have I been doing it wrong? I think you are just getting tangled up in terminology. Start with both switches in the down position. Turn on the power (move switch up) and let the tubes warm up a minute or so, then move the standby switch to the up position.
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Post by goodez on Jul 30, 2017 13:29:31 GMT -7
I'm a little confused by this: "Power on your amp, then wait a minute or so and engage standby switch. This is the proper use of a standby switch." I always thought you powered on the amp and immediately turned the standby switch on as well until the tubes were warmed up after a minute or so and then disengaged the standby. Have I been doing it wrong? I think you are just getting tangled up in terminology. Start with both switches in the down position. Turn on the power (move switch up) and let the tubes warm up a minute or so, then move the standby switch to the up position. Thanks Mike, that's how I've always done it. I was a little concerned there for a minute. Like, have I been driving on the wrong side of the road for all these years lol.
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Post by zpilot on Jul 30, 2017 22:08:30 GMT -7
There are arguments for and against the need for a standby switch on guitar amps. When using any of my amps with 5AR4 rectifiers I hardly ever use the standby switch at all because of that tube's slow-startup characteristic. The only times I do is when switching between pentode and triode modes on my MAZ 8 or when I need to disconnect a speaker. I'm not even sure that a standby switch is necessary on gear with a solid-state rectifier. My vintage Ampeg Gemini 1 uses a SS rectifier and it does not have one and it still has most of it's original tubes in good condition. Unlike some manufacturers who cut corners everywhere they could (Vox comes to mind here) Ampeg was known for building reliable, long-lasting amps. Even the Fryette PS-2 that I recently bought doesn't have a standby and it uses a SS rectfier. Also, for those old enough to remember tube-type televisions, do you ever remember seeing one with a standby switch? I expect to get some flack on this. I have to believe, as strange as it may be, that the people who engineered these know more than me, so I don't sweat the fact that they don't have standby switches. Even Doc notes that the standby switch is a convenience.
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Post by backline on Jul 31, 2017 7:40:11 GMT -7
I have been "into" amps for 40 years. In all that time, i have NEVER seen ANY PROOF that a tube (in an audio amp) died from "Cathode Stripping". Others have already said things like..... the more you use the SB Switch (switches do not like DC) the more it will Wear/Arc the best use for an SB Switch is for working on amps...it allows you to easily turn the HT on and off while in the chassis. As for the "correct" procedure to turn an amp On and Off that has an SB Switch.?..........simply leave the SB Switch in The Off Position and turn the amp On and Off with the Power Switch.....there is a Novel Idea.
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Post by doctorice on Jul 31, 2017 9:21:03 GMT -7
Doc didn't feel the Carmen Ghia needed a standby switch. He's been building that tube-rectified amp for 20+ years.
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