algmusic Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 Right, Bought my first valve amp, (Terror bass). I bought it second hand here and I've been told its was bought in December. It's great and I love it. It's a tube pre/with power amp. Q1: How long do the tubes last Q2: Should I carry spares? Where can I get them (live in Greenwich, but in the city a lot) Q3: Are they easy to change or do I take it to a shop Q4: any other tube advice to help them last long etc. I usually gig about 1-3 a week and I always carry a my sansamp as backup. I always put it on standby for about 5-15mins before and after the gig at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obbm Posted August 19, 2010 Share Posted August 19, 2010 [quote name='algmusic' post='930025' date='Aug 19 2010, 04:44 PM']Right, Bought my first valve amp, (Terror bass). I bought it second hand here and I've been told its was bought in December. It's great and I love it. It's a tube pre/with power amp. Q1: How long do the tubes last Q2: Should I carry spares? Where can I get them (live in Greenwich, but in the city a lot) Q3: Are they easy to change or do I take it to a shop Q4: any other tube advice to help them last long etc. I usually gig about 1-3 a week and I always carry a my sansamp as backup. I always put it on standby for about 5-15mins before and after the gig at least.[/quote] Q1. Years and years and years. Q2. Unlikely to ever need a spare. Watford valves sell them. Q3. Remove amp cover, twist and remove valve screen, pull out valve, plug in new valve, replace screen, refit cover. Done. very quick and easy. No adjustment necessary. Q4. Don't worry about it. Tube pre-amps are bullet proof, it's the higher power amps that need TLC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umcoo Posted August 20, 2010 Share Posted August 20, 2010 The 'issues' people have with valve amps i.e. maintaining them, new valves etc, is usually to do with an all-valve pre and power stage. The Terror just has a valve pre-amp so you'll be fine. Pre-amp valves last a lifetime, and you'll most likely only change them if you want to try out different types of gain. I'm not entirely sure why the Terror has a standby, but as it isn't all-valve, I would imagine it's pretty useless. That's not to say the Terror is in any way inferior. Great amps, and sounds a lot like my all-valve AD200...just about a third of the price! Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ancient Mariner Posted August 20, 2010 Share Posted August 20, 2010 If it has a standby it's because the solid state rectification powers up instantly, slamming cold preamp valves with full voltage, which can shorten their life. It may also be a 'marketing feature', and not really necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algmusic Posted August 20, 2010 Author Share Posted August 20, 2010 Great thanks, I can rest easy... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umcoo Posted August 20, 2010 Share Posted August 20, 2010 Ancient Mariner - I didn't know that...cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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