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Post by rickenbacker1953 on Jul 16, 2021 9:18:08 GMT -7
I followed Doc's Amp trouble shooting video . Fortunately the 2 Power tubes I'd purchased turned out to be my issue . But I still have some questions I hope it's appropriate to ask here
This Cure Amp is just a Homey. Am I using the Standby wrong ? I always turn the AMP on and allow it to warm up on standby . When I'm playing and for whatever reason stop . I switch on standby . Sometimes it's 5 minutes and I'm back . Other times it may be an hour or more . Is this why my Power tubes puked ? I never blew a Fuse like Doc's video says . I also have the impression based on the video that it should have been my Rectifier.
Or is it just the nature of the beast ? And you never know what tube may fizzle out . Thus the AMP Troubling shooting Video ?
Am I using Standby wrong . I never paid attention when playing out . One of the regular guys, who has passed away . Was the amp tech in a manner of speaking . So I never learned this stuff .
Not concerned Just wondering if my standby habits caused my issue . Hey thanks again
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Jul 16, 2021 9:32:06 GMT -7
No, you're using the standby switch properly. It's just the nature of tubes to wear out. I've left my tube amps on standby for hours without harm. Power tubes wear out the fastest, and some last longer than others. They're comsumable items, like the oil in your car.
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jul 16, 2021 9:43:07 GMT -7
Tubes are pretty much a crap-shoot these days. Even trusted sources of tubes are at the mercy of substandard manufacturing processes.
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Post by Russell B on Jul 16, 2021 10:05:38 GMT -7
Today's tubes can be a crap-shoot like Mike says. But, when you buy new ones, get them from reputable vendor who test them before that go out. That doesn't mean that the tubes will last, but they will be the better of the patch of tubes.
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Post by rickenbacker1953 on Jul 16, 2021 10:39:41 GMT -7
No, you're using the standby switch properly. It's just the nature of tubes to wear out. I've left my tube amps on standby for hours without harm. Power tubes wear out the fastest, and some last longer than others. They're comsumable items, like the oil in your car. Thanks - Service was fast from the tube store as well . Hopefully I don't need Pre-amp tubes for the Cure in the near future . They have been out of stock for the cure at least as long as I have been looking . Which is 5 weeks Guess I'll deal with that when I get there Thanks everyone
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Post by "Z" Steve on Jul 16, 2021 11:03:43 GMT -7
There are tube vendors who sell the tubes you might need and they also test them and match them (power tubes) if required. But that is the important part - making sure whoever you buy from tests them, and look at thedir reviews and tube failure return policy.
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Post by daddyelmis (Greg) on Jul 16, 2021 14:43:19 GMT -7
The Doc himself explaining the standby switch:
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Post by loucardguitar (Johnathan) on Jul 16, 2021 14:59:19 GMT -7
In addition to what Steve said, I know there are several vendors that you can pay a few bucks extra for them to be burned in as well. Which that will also help to weed out some of the "substandard" tubes.
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Post by adam on Jul 16, 2021 15:47:55 GMT -7
This really fits in the "I read it on the internet" category of dumb arse people making dumb comments (me), but a couple thoughts... 1. You could have just gotten unlucky with more bad tubes. 2. What's your wall voltage? Mine is high and I eventually got a voltage regulator that I run everything on. Can't say it really did anything, but I have had no amp issues in that last 4 or so years since I got it. If it is high and you don't want to spend that kind of money, you could get a cheap variac, don't trust the dial setting, and set it to something reasonable (117-120) with a decent volt meter. There's also that "brown" thing (no idea on the name) that you could get, but I still think you'd nead a volt meter and those aren't cheap either ($300?) 3. From the late 80's to early 90's I can't tell. you how many hard drives I went through. I ended up just leaving the computers on and never had a problem after that. You could follow that idea (I do) and use the standby to let it warm up like you are, then just leave the thing on until you are ready to turn it off, and then just turn off the power which is supposed to let the caps discharge. Main idea there comes from most of the stress to components comes from that startup phase (so I've heard). Heat is supposed to be the enemy of components too, so maybe keep that in mind. That's my completely unknowledgeable witchcraft voodoo electrical mystery breakdown that comes with no warranty. It does have good intentions though
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Post by rickenbacker1953 on Jul 17, 2021 7:21:00 GMT -7
Thanks again : No Voltage issues in this house
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