joek18
9 posts
Jan 25, 2012
12:13 PM
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Hi Gang,
I've got two Kalamazoos (sounds like opening lyrics) and a really wonderful new-to-me Meteor. Typically, I put the amp volume at about 7 but manage the overall volume from my Blows Me Away vintage control. (Thanks again, Greg. You've modded three vintage Mics for me, so far.)
Here's the question:
Am I doing any damage to the amp or speaker by riding it at 7 or 7.5? I do longer sets when playing out - 45 minute sets are minimum and 3 sets a night is usual. I shut down my amps between sets to cool them off and I baby them as much as humanly possible in between gigs.
Any longterm concerns for the amps using these practices?
As always, this is the best forum in the land for these types of questions. Thanks in advance for any assistance.
Glencoe Joe K
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HawkeyeKane
666 posts
Jan 25, 2012
12:22 PM
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"I've got two Kalamazoos (sounds like opening lyrics)"
Ironically enough, I'm currently writing a song along those lines.
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Hawkeye Kane
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MP
1966 posts
Jan 25, 2012
12:35 PM
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i have a zoo and 7 is a real sweet spot. you aren't
doing any damage at all.
it is a good idea to take tube amps to a tube amp tech once a year for a check-up. like a doctor visit.
think of your tube amp as a '57 chevy or similar. everytime you take it out, you put the pedal to the floor on that straightaway. treat your amp like you would that chevy. run it hard but look after it too.
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MP
doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
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LSC
150 posts
Jan 25, 2012
12:39 PM
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Running the amps at what is actually more or less a medium volume for two or three 45s won't damage anything. I would suggest two things. If the Meteor has a standby switch, flip that on before firing up the amp. Give the tubes a few minutes to warm up and then flip it off. Always put it in standby before shutting the amp on or off. I'd put it in standby between sets as well, although not strictly necessary. It's not that you do any damage by leaving it on it's just that putting it in standby and allowing tubes to idle prevents surges and increases tube life. Turning the power completely off between sets is not the best idea for longer lasting tubes but otherwise I don't think is particularly harmful, certainly not for speakers
With the Zoos there is no standby switch. I'd just leave them on but perhaps just turn down the volume off between sets just to prevent and accidental feedback while you're away from the amp.
A good practice when setting up your mic/amp volume is to start with the amp on 0 and the mic volume full up. Turn the amp up to just below the threshold of feedback when you play your loudest so that even in the heat of battle when the mic is full on and your wailing like the hounds of hell are on your trail feedback will not jump out and bite you in the ass.
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LSC
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MP
1967 posts
Jan 25, 2012
12:49 PM
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what LSC said. let your amps warm up, especially if you live in a cold clime. a *Clair Brothers Company amp tech told me that if you don't let your amp warm up it stresses the tubes and will shorten the tubes life span.
* Clair Brothers was or perhaps still is the largest and perhaps oldest sound company in the US.
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MP
doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
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billy_shines
62 posts
Jan 25, 2012
1:08 PM
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if you got paper capacitors replace them with new ones. or it can fry.
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