Tube amp how long do tubes last

Seem to be really great tubes. I think I prefer the EL34s and I like the s in my preamp slots. Has anyone else noticed that running a head on half power tends to wear the tubes out really fast? Is there some sort of weirdness going on that would account for this? I realize that the matched set gets pretty screwed when you run half power as only 2 tubes function and it unbalances them, but many experts comment that a tube circuit is made to function with unbalanced tubes.

And that like so many other things in the guitar realm are more myth than sound theory. I tend to rotate mine if I use half power. An argument can be made as soon as you start using them they degrade at differing potentials and become unbalanced in output right away.

I cannot see how it would be possible a set of tubes could go for decades and still sound good. Makes you wonder how a new set would sound. I mean ever retube your amp, it sounds like night and day, I cannot imagine decades old tubes sounding as good as new ones, seems rather impossible.

Depends on your view of what sounds 'good'. Many of us don't want a spanking new, modern sound. I like the way my Vibrochamp sounds, so I don't have any real desire to change that. What ever floats your boat.

I used to know some guys who played their strings until they were blacked and felt like bare wire. I never thought new tubes sounded "modern" just vibrant and responsive and headroom clarity everything else is a matter of EQ. I have heard stories of tubes so long in the sockets they were rusted to them. I've been a tech too long to ponder such a rebuild problem.

You could keep readjusting bias as the tubes degrade but sooner or later they are not going to handle the voltage much less their ability to muster any wattage would be like a 80 yr old weight lifter. The price of those tubes will only go up.

EdipisReks Banned. Joined Jul 29, Posts 4, Likes Quote: Originally Posted by Jahn If you have an unused tube with a good vacuum, those tubes can last forever. Joined Oct 14, Posts 2, Likes Let's put it this way. You will get bored with hi-fi or succumb to upgrades and sell the amp before the supply of tubes dries up.

Joined May 21, Posts 17, Likes What does NOS mean? Joined Jan 27, Posts 1, Likes Are the tubes usually socket-inserted into amp PCB or soldered on it? And do you turn it off when not in use? I always leave my SS amp on even not in use. That's a dilemma Joined Mar 21, Posts Likes Quote: Originally Posted by EdipisReks maybe i'm being a pedant, but unused tubes will eventually lose vacuum.

Joined Mar 23, Posts Likes Most tube amps are easier to fix then solid state amps. A good tube amp will last a lifetime, granted some parts may need replacing over time for best performance coupling caps, resistors, sockets, diodes Since amplifiers are designed to be used, there is nothing you could do to prevent this except take care of your equipment and avoid high temperatures.

Secondly, transistors in the output may also cause you problems. Transistors can wear out if you continue using them beyond their ratings and even near their max. But even if you decide to replace all problematic capacitors, transistors, and rectifiers, it is still a part of normal maintenance that you might need to do after a couple of years.

All of this applies to solid-state amplifiers, of course. If you have a tube amp, then valves are the components that will wear out over time. However, replacing valves is similar to replacing strings on your guitar, and you will need to do it if you want your amp to remain in good shape.

As with any other part of the equipment, your speakers will last longer if you take care of them. Playing too loud will put stress on them and will lower their lifespan. But if you have a high-quality speaker, it is possible for it to last 40 or 50 years. Naturally, if you take care of it and do regular maintenance. Low-quality speakers will last a lot shorter, and you should expect it to survive around 10 years if you use it daily. Now, the main problem is loud music.

So even if you desire to blast loud heavy metal through your speakers, you should find something that can take the stress. As long as you are not cranking your volume all the way to the max, you should be safe. Speakers of the amplifiers are a lot more durable, and you should check if everything is good every couple of years.

There are many factors that will determine how long your preamp would last. Firstly, whether it is a solid-state or tube preamp. Secondly, the quality of components inside, and finally, proper care and the ways you use it. Tubes or valves in preamp will usually last 2 or 3 years. Of course, this applies only if you are using your amp regularly. If you play it only a couple of times per week or month, the valves will last significantly longer.

I should also mention that tubes can break similarly to light bulbs. If this happens, you will need to change them at once if you plan on using your amp. In general, preamp tubes will still last longer than valves in the power amplifier. Solid-state preamps , on the other hand, can go a lot longer without any repairs or problems. If the components are good, then you can use it for decades even.

Depending on the amount of time you spend playing, you might need to replace some parts. Thanks for the great article on tube lifespans. Thanks again. Interesting about the tube choices. We do know a lot of guys who have changed the tubes out, and JJs are a popular choice. We also had to think about cost when choosing components, of course. In this situation, the best thing you can do is actually go to a tech, and have them show you the different types available.

That way, you get to hear the differences in person because only you can decide what sounds good to your ears! This a great article. It does show there is an awful lot of snake oil talked about valves on forums. Just to confirm, if you did want to change the valves on a TM 18 for a different voicing, you could do this yourself, because the TSC module re biases them, or would you recommend a tech?

Hi Craig, and thanks for the kind words! One key reason for this is that as soon as you open up the amp, the warranty is voided. Hi, my name is Patrick. I have a tm 18 head and wanted to switch the preamp tubes but cannot find an answer anywhere online on where the v1 and v2 tube is located at.

Is the v1 more toward the power on and stand by switch, or is the v1 closest to the imput jack? Thank you. Hi Patrick — V1 is the one on the right hand side as you look at the amp from front on. Hi Alejandro. Hmm, how many flashes did you get? Will you please let me know if you know of any such studies that have been conducted?

Thanks for the article. It was very informative. Hi Jeffrey, and thanks for your question and kind words on the article. Hi Rich. Hmm, getting into the combos is simple in theory — just unscrew the back panel and take it off.

Hi good article. Just one question though. Cheers Ian. Hi Ian, and thanks for the kind words! By contrast, preamp tubes do not need biasing. I changed the tubes of my Grandmeister for 2 pairs of Sovtek El And after one year and a half of use I was playing, heard a weird sound and saw a light in the amp.

I checked the TSC and I had the first tube to be replaced. I wonder what could have happened…. Hmm, interesting. Did you buy the two tubes that are not matching as a biased pair? Thanks for this advice, I was under the impression that gigging for a year meant that I would have to change my valves now. I tried changing the valves on my w TSC switchblade, did a gig and thought not much difference to be honest!

Reassuring advice on the subject. What about replacing the speakers? Especially Guitar Speakers can work for a lifetime if you take good care of them, just keep them away from moisture. The EL84 we get directly from Chinese and Russian manufacturers, so they are not branded, but tested and selected by us as well. This is most interesting as I am sure that most of us know very little about tubes and valves as, apart from amplifiers, most of us never come across these mysterious relics of the past.

On question of when should we swop our tubes, I have problem with my Tubemeister When I turn up the volume it starts have momentary dead spots in the sound. For just about a second, the sound cuts out when I am playing lead solo and then comes on again.

At the same time, the orange glow, always in one particular larger tube at the back, dims and then lights up even more brightly, accompanied by a resumption in my sound. Do I conclude that the valves must be swapped? If so all of them or just the one that dims and then lights up intermittently?

Two different technicians cannot fix. One suggestion is that the power supply might be defective. Please check TSC on the back while you are not playing. The LEDs should be off, otherwise the tube has to be replaced. To check zhe sockets, just let a technician swap the tube 1 to socket 2 and tube 2 to socket 1.