After the dangerous stuff 1-3, this list became pretty badly informed. You will not damage your amp if you turn it on without a guitar plugged into it. You WILL risk damaging it if you try to play it without a speaker load. You CAN play your guitar through the amp before the tubes are warmed up. It's not going to hurt a single thing to do that. Before the tube rectifier has completely armed up, there is no amplifying voltage on any of the tube plates anyway. This does absolutely nothing to harm your amp. You CAN move your amp while tubes are hot, just don't move it into a complete different climate, like taking it outdoors into the freezing cold immediately or firing it up immediately after it's been in the freezing cold. You CAN change your tubes while they're still hot. I do it quite often without damaging anything. Use your shirt or something to hold the tube. And no, hot tubes do not contain "molten metal". :D #6 is legitimate and I would actually file this under "dangerous stuff". Don't plug in tubes that do not belong in that socket. That could burn up your amp. Nice collection, by the way.
Brad Linzy you may play while warming up, but u definitely will not hear the creepy scary sounds coming out of it during the warming up. So just don't do it, is a good suggestion.
I second anything Brad the Guitologist says about tube amps. He knows them inside and out, literally. I wonder what Uncle Doug would have to say about this video... Hmmm
The Guitologist I watch all your videos and I was comparing what this video was presenting with what I know from your channel. I came to the same conclusion as you. Thanks!
DO sell your vintage amp if you are not playing it. Someone else might want to make music through it. Don't deny the amp its purpose. It is not a great amp sitting in the closet, silent.
Along these lines if your vintage tube amp has not been used in a long while (sat in a closet for months/years) It is not wise to just power it up. You have filter capacitors (the big shiny cans)that can fail. These can fail over time from non use. It would be best to power it up slowly over a few hours raising the voltage a little bit at a time with a variac to allow the can capacitors to "reform". If you don't know what a variac is, best you find a tech and contract him to bring your unused amp to life again. So take it out and play it on a regular basis! That's the best medicine. If not, you could plug it in one day and hear a pop, see some smoke and wonder what the heck just happened??? AND destroy a power transformer when that filter cap shorts to ground or worse!.
he said if there sitting silent, i play all my amps. Yes sometimes you have to sell, need money, don't like it, don't play it, wife. So ya, i'd say if your not playing an instrument, pass it on.
I did that once,, it took a lot of playing too win it back over.... Eventually I had to sell the poor guy too get out of jail.... Never went back to get him he had moved on....😎 True story...
I encourage everyone to experiment with changing the tubes. That's a big part of enjoying your tube amplifier. Experimenting with different tubes and speakers is essential to getting the best sound out of your tube amplifier. Just learn enough to make sure that you don't fry your amp with a stupid mis-match.
#11 - Never go to your house main electrical panel and put your tongue across the electrical feeders while playing your guitar through a vintage tube amp. #12 - Never pour soda or any softdrinks directly into the circuitry of your vintage tube amp unless it has been unplugged. #13 - Never make oatmeal on the circuit board of your tube amp unless you are certain the amp is in the standby position. #14 - Never, and this is important to me, ever look at your vintage tube amp too long. The increase focus can damage the grill cloth and damage essential components. #Finally - Never let elephants stomp on your vintage tube amp. They will crush the components and significantly decrease the value of your amp.
On amps that don't have grounds on their plugs and worse yet where the electricity supply doesn't have any grounds.( South America) I sometimes bring a wire with alligator clips on each end to my gigs. I connect one end to a nearby water pipe, metal rail, or anything metal that can act as a ground and connect the other end to the chassis of the amp. Not only does it make things safer but it also gets rid of a lot of noise.
Yes, nice one I made a similar gizmo with a 200watt bulb between amp and wall socket with a green earth wire. If theres a voltage problem the bulb flashes..like they used on old loudspeakers.
Very glad I watched this, I just received an 80s champ 12. I broke the rule of not playing until it is warmed up. I'll let it warm up for a minute going forward. Thanks.
I live in Wisconsin where the temperature can get down to -25 degrees. I keep my tube amps in my garage(studio) and while its heated when i play once or twice a week,it gets relatively cold in there the rest of the time.And while they are NOT “vintage “ amps, they are boutique and worth over $2,000 each. Can i be hurting my amps/tubes/capacitors by keeping them in my garage during winter? I do manage to keep it dry so moisture is not a problem,we are just talking below freezing temperatures. Thanks!
I know of nothing specific that would be damaged from that cold. Condensation and just that fact that it get well below freezing does seem like it could do some harm. I wouldn't do it but i have no data that tells me you shouldn't.
@@soundcheckvideos Thanks for your reply and opinion.Based on the information I gathered online, it looks like no one really has had first hand experience of problems related to the cold, in fact to the contrary.But still, it makes sense that anything below zero cant be GOOD for it...lol. It seems avoiding condensation and sudden changes to temperature is the main “take away” situations to avoid. I think my amps are just fine out there. But anything below zero, and im bringing them in,just to be safe! Thanks!
In 1980 I purchased a like new 1978 Musicman 210 sixty five. It was the most amazing amp I had ever played. Unfortunately, it was stolen out of my band room a year later. After searching for almost 40 years for another one I was able to purchase a “CHERRY” 1978 Musicman 210 sixty-five from the widow of a friend who had passed. I had tried many times to buy it but it was “NOT FOR SALE”. It actually was shipped to me in a red flight case. It is so incredible! Thanks for all the info on using a vintage amp especially the DON’T EVER SELL IT. Young players today have no idea how amazing these old vintage amps are. It is such a warm clean sound. It still has the original MUSICMAN 10” ceramic speakers. There is something magical about the 2 10”speakers that makes it a very unique amp.
Never play JUSTIN BIBER through the amp (or any amp, no one needs to hear that) but mainly vintage tube amps, its a disgrace to you and the amp and the guitar.
Sure, it reduces the risk of accidentally having it on and the volume up, then plugging it in and getting that big POP, not good for the nerves or the amp.
Mostly good advice, just one more suggestion if I may , when gigging always let a tube (or even solid state) amp sit and warm up to the room temperature before turning on in frigid US winters or if your gear has been flown to the gig, the relative high moisture of the inside heated air will condense on to all the cold metal, glass and plastic parts, it may not short out but why take a chance?
I am new to owning a nice vintage Philips tube, or as we Brits call them valve amps.All what you told me is very very important as I did not know any of your warnings.I would like to thank you very much, as this little amp cost a bit, and being a pensioner I had to save for it, also I have now bought a Heathkit tube radio to go with it. They were worth saving for. again thank you very much on what not to do.regards Colin UK.
Switching on an amp,without the guitar connected,does not harm the amp,because the input is protected by a 1 MegaOhm resistor. Of course, it is always better to have your guitar plugged in before switching on the amp.
The intent of your statement is completely true and should be followed by all. However it is a three wire cord not a three phase. In my experience there has never been a three phase guitar amp.
and of course you are right aswell, just forgot the word wire xD no native speaker here, im sorry. would have been a funky idea tho, building one i mean haha :)
Man, you said it! My heart goes out to kids from busted up families who don't have relatives that can be mentors to them and share the love as well as the knowledge. I'm one of the luckiest people who ever lived, and I never forget it.
+Jerry Sorn If the volume is turned up high when you plug in your guitar, it can cause 'flashover' which can damage the output transformer, causing shorted turns.
Um..."shorted turns"? You have clearly exceeded my electrical savvy, or at least my knowledge of such terms. However, I have cranked a tube amp without a cable plugged in - while volume was way up - more times than I could possibly count, with no ill effect. Still, in theory you could well be 100% correct.
+Jerry Sorn a shorted turns is when a turn in a transformer makes electrical contact to another turn next to it, like losing isolation between turns. when you turn a tube amp on without load you have no current and the voltage on the primary of the ot goes waaaay up, it could cause arcing inside the transformer. but i really think that turning a tube amp with it pluged in is to avoid it motorboating to oblivion.
+Silas Fatchett The odds of a large transient spike actually causing an OT short are infinitesimal. OT shorts are nearly always caused by overloads caused by speakers of too high an impedance or no speakers plugged in (which the OT "sees" as an infinite load condition).
If you have an amp that has two conductor A.C. plug, get an Ohmmeter and check wich prong is connected to the chassis, mark the it with a Black marker, permanent, and always note which way you pug it in, putting that prong ito the left hand . or Neutral, opening in the wall socket. This is the neutral slot if you have proper polarized power in the wall. Hot to hot, and neutral to neutral. And use the voltmeter function on the meter to check for a safe ground on the chassis.
Never store your vintage amp where you would be uncomfortable sleeping. Basements are damp. Speaker cones, cloth wire insulation, and pressed paper tag boards absorb this moisture and can make your amp quite sick. Dampness also leads to mildew in the wood. Amps and guitars like to live in the same conditions we prefer. Rock on!
I know this video is old, but what is considered a vintage tube amp. I just bought a Fender Super Champ X2 FSR, with the G10 Celestion speaker. Does this video apply to my amp or is my amp not considered vintage. It is my first tube amp so I know little to nothing about tube amps. Thank you.
Not really what I had in mind when I made the video. But the rules could still apply, the idea was meant to be extra carful because older vintage amps are fragile and they will never sound the same even when you fix them. So if you want to make your amp last, these can help.. Thanks for the question.
Whohoo, love that amp, great sound , easy/cheap to fix, take it anywhere , play it anywhere . If you want to add a little bass and depth to it, lean it up against a wall, the solider the better but any wall that doesn't shake will do. Have fun , thanks for the comment.
I always knew you cannot fire up a tube amp without a speaker load, but this is the first time I've ever heard that you shouldn't fire it up without a cable in the input jack. Why would powering up without anything in the input jack damage the amp?
Maybe if the input jack isn't grounded , you would hear a hum , like if you have a lead in but no guitar...any company that skimps on a 1 meg resistor for each input jack, needs a good hard kick in the nuts...
There is not a really good reason for this as long as there is a 1 M resistor to ground. No problem in turning it on or of. The problem can be connecting the guitar as it can give a static electricity shock that is quite high. In general tubes are quite robust to this as they are a mechanical construction, but modern amps with special FET's and Op-amps in the input stage are very sensitive to this and can be burned off. In tube amps I think some of the capacitors may suffer by this shock over time, but the question is what hit them first. This or general ageing :-)
helpful stuff. just bought a tube amp after many years of playing, and it was good advice, clearly explained by a guy who throws a few jokes in just to keep it light! Nice work!
All of these are myths except number 3. I work on my vintage amps all the time. Best way to get good deals on vintage gear. Buy it broken and fix it. One piece of advice this guy should have listed would be to never turn on an amp without a speaker load.....but without the GUITAR plugged in? Why not? Also paying attention to matching impedance is sound advice....but amps always going up in value? Glad this guy isn't my financial adviser.
Joe Simon He didn't say amps always go up in value. He said vintage TUBE amps go up in value and that is almost always the case. In fact I can't think of any 30+ year old tube amp that has decreased in value, can you? If so I'd like to know so I can buy one so when it goes back up I can profit. At the very least they will hold their value. Hanging on to those old babies is excellent advice. I've never sold one of my amps but I sure as hell regret selling a couple of my older guitars when I was a young dumbass!
@@patrickfoster4586 their for a few years small tube amps like the kay went up in price for a few years and came back down in more recent years for reasons idk
Add number 11. Do NOT modify the wiring. I own 1977 Fender Deluxe Reverb. Two reputable technicians refused to add a Master Volume stating it would ruin its value. The "sweet" spot is 4 1/2 and a bit loud (even for stage volume). So . . . finally learned about attenuators to moderate volume and I'm happy using a Weber Mini-mass.
#11 never set a glass of any kind of liquid ( like a drink) on your amp it could spill and do big damage. #12 never put a larger amperage fuse in the amp than it calls for. If something in the amp should short out it could blow your power transformer and damage things. #13 never overdrive the amp with the original speaker it may blow the speaker out. #14 If the amp has the original leather handle do not carry it by the handle it could break and down goes the amp. #15 do leave the amp in your car trunk unless going or coming from a gig. It does not need to be subjected to the extra shaking. #16 if the amp has been in a cold place do not turn it on until it has had time to warm up and dry out from any condensation that may have formed in it. #17 Do not use WD @@@@ Lub. to clean the controls it will dry out after a year or so and may lock your controls up. It was not made for that purpose. #18 do not wiggle the tubes in their socket tring to clean the tube sockets this will expand the spring steel in the tube socket so that the tube socket no linger holds the tube in tight. #19 after having the amp gone over by a good Tech turn the amp on at least wonce a month for a few minutes. This will help to keep the filter caps from going bad. #20 donot beleive everything you read, see or watch unless it is coming from a relable source.
Very good advice here. And this advice will save you from learning the hard way, like I did in one or two of the things to avoid doing with a tube amp discussed in this video.
I have all my amps switched over to 3 prong plugs and have the death cap disconnect. I like to focus on music, rather than having to worry about eating a lightning bold if I get to close to my mic
@@N0-0n3...i had many a beer puddles on top of my Marshall, cocaine, whiskey, even whores , and that amp never once let me down! Played it loud n hard . many many gigs. 40 years later i still have it~
#11 don't use your amp as a coaster for drinks #12 if you do not know the do's and don'ts when it comes to tube amps, then do some research. Not only will this be good for your amp it will be good for you.
I have an original 1957 Fender Champ and I am concerned about playing through 60 year old capacitors. Also, there is a limit to how long to hold onto an amp. When the generation that finds them valuable starts to decline due to death, the value of your amp will also start to decline.
Internet Psychopath Do they even know what tubes are and how many guitar bands do you see nowadays, slim to none, its all digital sampling and Autotune.
This is one that was told to me back in the 70's by a tech. When changing tubes, wipe them with a dry cloth or use gloves. Possible oils from your fingers could create hot spots on your tubes and decrease the tube life.
Don't turn on your amp without your guitar already plugged in? I think that maybe you don't know what you're talking about. See The Guitlogist's comment.
good advice here- I would contend that these things aren't THAT mysterious/dangerous. While one should consider his warnings, one can indeed work on these things themselves. I am in no way what people consider "mechanically minded" yet even I, after watching enough Uncle Doug and D-Lab, Guitarologist etc vids, have managed to purchase and work on a few vintage amps at this point. cap jobs, mods, 3 prong conversions, bias updates etc; all of these are well within the limits of a halfway intelligent adult. Want to know how to safely update your filter caps- watch 3, 4 or even 5 different videos on how different guys do it. How do you think the amp techs learned?? watch the vids and be careful!
Never ever lend out your vintage tube amp to your mate to do a gig when his amp is in for service as he will forget to tell you the gig is outdoors and he will kill your amp leaving out in the rain when he gets drunk!!!!!! grrrrrrr.
some of this is bogus. dont move a hot amp yes but because you could break the tubes not the amp. dont play until the amp is warmed up? wrong. its the tubes that warm up and it doesnt really matter. most tubes draw 100% power instantly. again this is about tube life not amp life. also its fine to turn an amp on with no guitar plugged in. I agree about never turn it on if the speaker isnt plugged in though thats the only good thing on the list.
A big part of why vintage amps sound the way they do is because of the vintage tubes that are in it, so when I say vintage amps I also mean the vintage tubes that are in it.
soundcheckvideos true but vintage NOS tubes are sold everywhere. some positions really benefit from vintage tubes but others dont. Vintage made in USA or England tubes will last longer and be on spec more accurately than any new production no doubt but everything else is subjective (tone, distortion characteristics, bass response with 5Y3s etc;) the beauty of vintage amps is the circuit, magnets, speakers, parts drift etc; Tubes are just one part of the equation. for example those old supro/valco amps used the cheapest POS parts they could find. Boutique versions will be built "better" with superior parts but they wont sound the same. hell 2 1959 tweed deluxes wont sound the same next to each other. Thats why we love them, partly.
Chris G That's why I'm so careful with my old tubes, I've had to many amps that sounded awesome, blew a tube and never sounded the same, so I feel the old tubes are integral to the sound and that's why I try to never move a hot amp.
soundcheckvideos i try not to either, but sometimes i forget and move my little tweed deluxe around, its so light at 25lbs or so compared to my twin reverb at 70 lbs I dont even like to look at that and my back hurts lol
Chris G Yeah, last time I loaded my TR into the trunk I said the next time will be to deliver to the next buyer...same w/the Super Six. Deluxe Reverb is enough nowadays heh.
I picked up an 80's Dean Markley CD-60. Trying to find a manual and am striking out. So many options on front knob board then the back has half as many knobs but more ports to plug in. Looking forward to exploring this thing.
#12 NEVER play your electric guitar through your vintage tube amp while taking a shower. It can "shock the heck out of you". Singing in the shower is allow, however.
Woo, you just gave me chills. I play alot of em and always try to make sure I dont have anything else near that could shock me but that one sounds like a bad one, glad your still with us.
Number 10 i disagree with. there are a lot of great digital products on the market today that can enhance your sound. If it ain't broke don't fix it... unless it makes it better!
Thanks for the choice notes on care and safety. I would like to add "Don't leave it on for long periods when you are not using it!" I did this by mistake to my rebuilt 1960 GA200 and it is now back with the man getting a couple of tubes and a check over. Could have been more expensive and he said if it was an old AC30 it could be a pile of ashes, house too!. Also keep a good area for cool air to circulate around your hot bits (especially on your amp!) ;-)
if that is EASILY the greatest mistake you ever made, rejoice. I had an old tube amp back in the late 70's that sounded great. It stopped working and I threw it away. Still not close to the greatest mistake I've ever made.
Your best comment (*in my opinion) was "Do not sell your vintage tube amp"!! I have a vintage Traynor head (YSR-1) and Ive owned since 1975. Many times my wife has said "why don't you just sell that thing??"
I like the sound of a synth going through a tube amp. I don't run my stuff through a vintage one but I do run it through a modern tube amp and mic it up to record. It's a quick way to add tube warmth to things that don't have enough character already. Plus, you can get some crazy sounds when you use the distortion on the amp itself in conjunction with the synth.
soundcheckvideos Yeah it's annoying that you really know your stuff, but then throw in random opinions, it detracts from all of the genuinely important points in the video. I think it's really well made, and I like what you're doing, just some constructive criticism. Cheers
Great info, Questions, 1) is there a specific chord type best suited, guitar to amp? . Or chord specification. . How to know what tubes 3) How to know when to change tubes. ( Is it similar to Strings….Feel old, sound old, so get new strings.. Does tube get noticeably completely useable , such as when a light bulb burns out? Thanks all. Happy holidays……
+Nicholas Bouffard When playing through a super clean vintage Amp Pedals are nothing but an inconvenience IMO. To me there is nothing like the clean sound of a good tube amp without any effects, in my opinion pedals are overkill to a really good tube amp
If a two conductor amp shocked you - you have a leaky 'death cap' or faulty electrical installation in your house. Also it is highly advisable to just convert to 3 prong plug - better hum rejection (chassis and signal ground is grounded through a wire that doesn't carry current) and conformation to current safety standards.
Line 6 POD XT PRO and the POD XT sound great through a nice tube amp. Whether it is vintage, tube, solid-state, or digital it is all in how you use it! I prefer digital delays over analog delays. But, it all boils down to how you use it. Sometimes using something in a different way works great. Mixing technology is often a fun thing to do.
There is no latency. I have only experienced latency when you play a guitar through a computer the Line 6 POD XT is a hardware device. It took me a while to get the sounds i was looking for. The Line 6 POD's great asset is the speaker simulator. It is all in how you use it, Vintage stuff is great. I embrace new and old tech.
Only when you play through a computer not with a hardware device like a Line 6 Pod XT PRO or POD XT or any of the units after. I have never had any latency on those devices. Only when using a guitar through a laptop using plug ins. That statement is not correct. It is silly to say everything Digital has latency. Some things that use digital technology have latency is more of an accurate statement. I use both technologies and it has a lot to do how you apply something. Somethings work, some don't. I can play various different rig setups that I have and get great sound from them. I have no desire to go on and on over this. I understand people can have different experiences with things. I have had people ask me how I get such a great sound from something that they had given up on. I have seen players that have nearly identical rigs and one has great sound the other has no clue what to do. I had a soundman ask me how I was getting such a great tone from a Line 6 POD XT PRO. I was using a stereo tube clean pre-amp after it.
Great video. I just purchased an original 1955 Fender Deluxe Tweed. I’m very nervous about it. Should I keep it protected in a box and pull it out when I want to play it? It’s all original so I’m super nervous.
I'd also suggest that One should not play the amp any louder than necessary, and be sure to keep all the settings as low as possible - this will likely extend the life of all of the internal components tremendously!!! Cranking anything up to near maximum is just asking for something to burn out, (aka: "smoke"), or fail!!! GREAT Video, & Great advice!!!!
Hey Peter, you should not get shocked from a modern amp. Was it a real shock like a jolt or like a static shock like touching a door after walking on a carpet.
I would highly recommend the use of an isolation transformer for these amps. They usually don't have a power transformer, which means they're not isolated from the mains. That's where the risk of electrical shock comes from. An isolation transformer is cheap, and there's a nice tutorial on Instructables explaining how to add one to a small vintage amp (search for "isolation transformer", it's the first result), and it goes very deep into details, so you don't screw up anything on the amp.
Most of the amps I have seen Ground the input when nothing is connected.... the output/speaker needing to be connected is obvious... the input comment is a surprise. It's good advice for most folks... I love tinkering with amps... the less valuable ones I dig into.... and have fixed many of them... the super special ones I send to my amp guy. A Crate, Markley, or Dano, I fix.. a Gibson... goes to the amp guy. You're right about prices creeping up. The 80's stuff is appreciating now... I feel old.
Most small amps did not use a power transformer. They mostly had a 50C5 power tube, a 35W4 rectifier and a 12v preamp tube (usually 12AU6), with their heaters connected in series to the B+ AC, which was taken DIRECLTY from the mains. What I mean by being isolated from the mains is that, with an isolation transformer, if something fails in the amp, the risk of you being electrocuted from being in contact with the "hot" wire from the mains is very unlikely to happen.
i became the conductor one time playing a job in a very old building. i saw the big blue flash as my bottom lip touched the shure sm58 mic. i missed singing the next line, then kept back a bit till the end of the song. not a fun time. play it safe out there, buckaroos.
So true, excellent comment. If only we could travel back in time , how many amps could you bring back. I see someone coming through the time portal with arms full of Tube Amps, I think I could carry 10.
Lots of good points, but you're going to have a lot of folks tell you they do this or that all the time (as some already have) and might not agree with your advice without a technical explanation. Here are the technical explanations for the three big ones: Strumming while amp is still warming up: This causes a condition called "cold cathode stripping" Tubes work by boiling electrons off a heated cathode (like a lightbulb filament). Those electrons are the source of the amplified signal. They come from a coating on the cathode. When you play your guitar before the tubes are fully heated, you smack that cathode with high voltage before it has begun boiling off electrons. What happens is that the coating loses some of its potency. It won't damage the tube, but it will shorten it's life. Turning the amp on without a speaker attached: Flyback voltage that builds in the output transformer has to go somewhere. If it stays in the transformer is can do major damage to it's secondary winding. With most push-pull amps this is not a problem as long as no signal is applied without a speaker attached. With single-ended amps it really depends on the amp design, and whether or not negative feedback is used in the circuit. SE output stages oscillate easier than push-pull. As soon as a signal is applied to the input, all bets are off. You can easily short or open your output transformer just by running for a few minutes without a speaker. Turning amp on without a guitar plugged in: This again really hinges on the amp design, and also the design of the input jack. If the jack auto-shorts with no plug inserted, no problem. If the jack is wide open with no plug inserted there is a potential for oscillation to occur. It might not even be oscillation that is in normal hearing range. Oscillation has the (very small) potential to do damage to the amp.
On cathode stripping, not so much with tube rectification. It's basically a "soft start" situation. SS rectification, the tube IS getting slammed. Precision/Frazer amplifiers (6GT5 output) were famous for this.
Thank you! I can't believe the amount of ill-informed comments. Besides the perfectly correct advice in advice (albeit, dumbed down for us regular folk) have none of these "experts" ever plugged in their axe with the amp on (especially cold) and heard the incredible "pops, "sizzles" and "bangs" resulting from said action? These noises make 60 cycle hum sound like music. There is a reason the noises occur ... it would be akin to starting your car in drive or reverse (if that were possible). YES, it probably won't damage the amp ...but...I said "probably" and why take a chance with that beautiful Fullerton "Blackface or Tweed" circuit!
Yeah, Grandpa definitely got in at the ground floor of the tube game. I still have his very first book he ever owned on electronic theory. He gave it to me when I was 10. It's called "Radio Frequency Amplification" by Kenneth Harkness, and it's copyrighted 1923. All the principles of operation, the math equations, and the explanations of how tubes behave and why they work is still valid today. It's a classic, and I'm very fortunate to have had a man like my Grandpa around to show me the basics.
That is great! thank you for informing! :) I have a late 60's Binson hifi amp head, and I didn't know how to use it correctly. thank you very much indeed!
I have a few vintage tubes including a original 58 5e3. 1- Do not sit drinks or play quarters on the top of it. 2- Don't use it for a step ladder. 3- Do not leave it outside in the rain. 4- The force you hit or kick the amp when it acts up is proportional to how much it cost. 5- Do not take it to Best buy to get worked on. 6- Do not let male dogs around it. 7- If you GF or wife ask if you love it more than them. LIE. More later....
Good advise. My amp tech has said much of what you said. And much of it I learned by touching my lip to the mic which lit up the basement and blew the fuse back in 1968 with my old Long gone 2 prong 1484 twin Silvertone amp and long gone Gibson Les Paul jr. My first amp was a Long gone Kay 503 which I totally abused. So your suggestions are not law but are a great rule of thumb that most newbies may need to consider. For someone to knitpick your page is just childish I got great toys now and plan to give some of them to my grandson if he continues to progress.
After the dangerous stuff 1-3, this list became pretty badly informed. You will not damage your amp if you turn it on without a guitar plugged into it. You WILL risk damaging it if you try to play it without a speaker load. You CAN play your guitar through the amp before the tubes are warmed up. It's not going to hurt a single thing to do that. Before the tube rectifier has completely armed up, there is no amplifying voltage on any of the tube plates anyway. This does absolutely nothing to harm your amp.
You CAN move your amp while tubes are hot, just don't move it into a complete different climate, like taking it outdoors into the freezing cold immediately or firing it up immediately after it's been in the freezing cold. You CAN change your tubes while they're still hot. I do it quite often without damaging anything. Use your shirt or something to hold the tube. And no, hot tubes do not contain "molten metal". :D
#6 is legitimate and I would actually file this under "dangerous stuff". Don't plug in tubes that do not belong in that socket. That could burn up your amp.
Nice collection, by the way.
Thanks and thanks for your opinion.
Brad Linzy you may play while warming up, but u definitely will not hear the creepy scary sounds coming out of it during the warming up. So just don't do it, is a good suggestion.
yes it will.
I second anything Brad the Guitologist says about tube amps. He knows them inside and out, literally. I wonder what Uncle Doug would have to say about this video... Hmmm
The Guitologist I watch all your videos and I was comparing what this video was presenting with what I know from your channel. I came to the same conclusion as you. Thanks!
DO sell your vintage amp if you are not playing it. Someone else might want to make music through it. Don't deny the amp its purpose. It is not a great amp sitting in the closet, silent.
Agreed.
I love my tube amp and use it!
Along these lines if your vintage tube amp has not been used in a long while (sat in a closet for months/years) It is not wise to just power it up. You have filter capacitors (the big shiny cans)that can fail. These can fail over time from non use. It would be best to power it up slowly over a few hours raising the voltage a little bit at a time with a variac to allow the can capacitors to "reform". If you don't know what a variac is, best you find a tech and contract him to bring your unused amp to life again. So take it out and play it on a regular basis! That's the best medicine. If not, you could plug it in one day and hear a pop, see some smoke and wonder what the heck just happened??? AND destroy a power transformer when that filter cap shorts to ground or worse!.
he said if there sitting silent, i play all my amps. Yes sometimes you have to sell, need money, don't like it, don't play it, wife. So ya, i'd say if your not playing an instrument, pass it on.
@@soundcheckvideos NEVER
#1, don't eat your amp. they do not taste good, do not try to consume them.
Though some parts might be edible.
soundcheckvideos Hemp speakers... Smoke or eat?
@Club Soda come on man, it was kinda funny.
#15 NEVER YELL AT YOUR AMP.
IT COULD HURT ITS FEELINGS, AND IT WILL STOP SOUNDING GOOD ONCE THE DAMAGE IS DONE.
I did that once,, it took a lot of playing too win it back over.... Eventually I had to sell the poor guy too get out of jail.... Never went back to get him he had moved on....😎 True story...
Also, dont play your tube amp in the shower......
or bathtub
+Robert Orr Maybe under a fountain if you're living free
But make toast in the shower or bathtub.
Just for curiosity: Why it isn't allowed to play anything digital on vintage tubes?
Is there anything wrong with using a blowdryer in the shower? I do that sometimes...
Do play your digital pedals into a tube amp. Whatever makes you happy and want to play more is great!
I encourage everyone to experiment with changing the tubes. That's a big part of enjoying your tube amplifier. Experimenting with different tubes and speakers is essential to getting the best sound out of your tube amplifier. Just learn enough to make sure that you don't fry your amp with a stupid mis-match.
Make sure that your amp is cooled down before you put a cover over it or put it in a road case. All that heat can damage the inside of the amp.
#13. Never EVER play a pointy guitar through your vintage tube amp because it can damage it.
That Silvertone guitar amp case combo was my first electric guitar more than half a lifetime ago, sigh!
#11 - Never go to your house main electrical panel and put your tongue across the electrical feeders while playing your guitar through a vintage tube amp.
#12 - Never pour soda or any softdrinks directly into the circuitry of your vintage tube amp unless it has been unplugged.
#13 - Never make oatmeal on the circuit board of your tube amp unless you are certain the amp is in the standby position.
#14 - Never, and this is important to me, ever look at your vintage tube amp too long. The increase focus can damage the grill cloth and damage essential components.
#Finally - Never let elephants stomp on your vintage tube amp. They will crush the components and significantly decrease the value of your amp.
#Finally- Would be kinda cool to watch an elephant stomp.
And never pour pancake syrup on your speakers for faster play!
0isez but i like these sweet tones
Don't urinate directly on the power transformer, or electrical outlets.
totally underrated gear
On amps that don't have grounds on their plugs and worse yet where the electricity supply doesn't have any grounds.( South America) I sometimes bring a wire with alligator clips on each end to my gigs. I connect one end to a nearby water pipe, metal rail, or anything metal that can act as a ground and connect the other end to the chassis of the amp. Not only does it make things safer but it also gets rid of a lot of noise.
Cool advice man!
Yes, nice one I made a similar gizmo with a 200watt bulb between amp and wall socket with a green earth wire. If theres a voltage problem the bulb flashes..like they used on old loudspeakers.
Very glad I watched this, I just received an 80s champ 12. I broke the rule of not playing until it is warmed up. I'll let it warm up for a minute going forward. Thanks.
Never use your amp as a suppository. Especially when the tubes are hot.
Sia Mese gross
Had I read this before...
I live in Wisconsin where the temperature can get down to -25 degrees. I keep my tube amps in my garage(studio) and while its heated when i play once or twice a week,it gets relatively cold in there the rest of the time.And while they are NOT “vintage “ amps, they are boutique and worth over $2,000 each. Can i be hurting my amps/tubes/capacitors by keeping them in my garage during winter? I do manage to keep it dry so moisture is not a problem,we are just talking below freezing temperatures. Thanks!
I know of nothing specific that would be damaged from that cold. Condensation and just that fact that it get well below freezing does seem like it could do some harm. I wouldn't do it but i have no data that tells me you shouldn't.
@@soundcheckvideos Thanks for your reply and opinion.Based on the information I gathered online, it looks like no one really has had first hand experience of problems related to the cold, in fact to the contrary.But still, it makes sense that anything below zero cant be GOOD for it...lol. It seems avoiding condensation and sudden changes to temperature is the main “take away” situations to avoid. I think my amps are just fine out there. But anything below zero, and im bringing them in,just to be safe! Thanks!
#11 don't listen to wonky dos and don'ts.
#12 don't listen to #11.
#13 don't listen to soundchechvideos
+Per Normann #14 Disregard # 13
#15 only tap in on the thread if you've seen the clip and like to point out wonky stuff.
+Per Normann Yea don't tap threads.
these are all excellent pieces of advice
thanks L
NEVER play a tube amp with no speaker connected or say bye bye to your output transformer and the heart and soul of the amp.
not to mention arcing your power tube sockets!!
SOOOO true.
In 1980 I purchased a like new 1978 Musicman 210 sixty five. It was the most amazing amp I had ever played. Unfortunately, it was stolen out of my band room a year later. After searching for almost 40 years for another one I was able to purchase a “CHERRY” 1978 Musicman 210 sixty-five from the widow of a friend who had passed. I had tried many times to buy it but it was “NOT FOR SALE”. It actually was shipped to me in a red flight case. It is so incredible! Thanks for all the info on using a vintage amp especially the DON’T EVER SELL IT. Young players today have no idea how amazing these old vintage amps are. It is such a warm clean sound. It still has the original MUSICMAN 10” ceramic speakers. There is something magical about the 2 10”speakers that makes it a very unique amp.
Never play JUSTIN BIBER through the amp (or any amp, no one needs to hear that) but mainly vintage tube amps, its a disgrace to you and the amp and the guitar.
+V10 FSI I heard a vintage Vox blew just when it was placed in a same room with Justin Bieber CD.
+V10 FSI ...also Never mention Justin Biebers name..ever again
Why must guitar be plugged in before turning amp on? I've never heard of that. Could you explain please? Thanks.
Sure, it reduces the risk of accidentally having it on and the volume up, then plugging it in and getting that big POP, not good for the nerves or the amp.
@@soundcheckvideos Got it. Thanks!
Mostly good advice, just one more suggestion if I may , when gigging always let a tube (or even solid state) amp sit and warm up to the room temperature before turning on in frigid US winters or if your gear has been flown to the gig, the relative high moisture of the inside heated air will condense on to all the cold metal, glass and plastic parts, it may not short out but why take a chance?
I am new to owning a nice vintage Philips tube, or as we Brits call them valve amps.All what you told me is very very important as I did not know any of your warnings.I would like to thank you very much, as this little amp cost a bit, and being a pensioner I had to save for it, also I have now bought a Heathkit tube radio to go with it. They were worth saving for. again thank you very much on what not to do.regards Colin UK.
+colin warner Your welcome, glad to help and Thank You.
Switching on an amp,without the guitar connected,does not harm the amp,because the input is protected by a 1 MegaOhm resistor. Of course, it is always better to have your guitar plugged in before switching on the amp.
A pulldown resistor.
Good tips! Especially the warm-up tips and the tips regarding hot tubes.
Thank you. Hope it helps.
better: dont even touch your amp if it has a 2 phase powercord.
bring it to a tech and let him install a 3 phase cord, for safety sake.
The intent of your statement is completely true and should be followed by all. However it is a three wire cord not a three phase. In my experience there has never been a three phase guitar amp.
and of course you are right aswell, just forgot the word wire xD
no native speaker here, im sorry.
would have been a funky idea tho, building one i mean haha :)
Man, you said it! My heart goes out to kids from busted up families who don't have relatives that can be mentors to them and share the love as well as the knowledge. I'm one of the luckiest people who ever lived, and I never forget it.
1/2 of #4 is nonsense - there is no way an amp can be damaged by turning it on without an instrument plugged in.
+Jerry Sorn If the volume is turned up high when you plug in your guitar, it can cause 'flashover' which can damage the output transformer, causing shorted turns.
Um..."shorted turns"? You have clearly exceeded my electrical savvy, or at least my knowledge of such terms. However, I have cranked a tube amp without a cable plugged in - while volume was way up - more times than I could possibly count, with no ill effect. Still, in theory you could well be 100% correct.
+Jerry Sorn a shorted turns is when a turn in a transformer makes electrical contact to another turn next to it, like losing isolation between turns. when you turn a tube amp on without load you have no current and the voltage on the primary of the ot goes waaaay up, it could cause arcing inside the transformer. but i really think that turning a tube amp with it pluged in is to avoid it motorboating to oblivion.
+Camilo Pasin nice. i actually pulled out the NEC to read up. in rush current is dangerous too. i think thats the correct spelling.
+Silas Fatchett The odds of a large transient spike actually causing an OT short are infinitesimal. OT shorts are nearly always caused by overloads caused by speakers of too high an impedance or no speakers plugged in (which the OT "sees" as an infinite load condition).
If you have an amp that has two conductor A.C. plug, get an Ohmmeter and check wich prong is connected to the chassis, mark the it with a Black marker, permanent, and always note which way you pug it in, putting that prong ito the left hand . or Neutral, opening in the wall socket. This is the neutral slot if you have proper polarized power in the wall. Hot to hot, and neutral to neutral. And use the voltmeter function on the meter to check for a safe ground on the chassis.
Thank you, great info.
Yup. will prevent the bite.
Never store your vintage amp where you would be uncomfortable sleeping. Basements are damp. Speaker cones, cloth wire insulation, and pressed paper tag boards absorb this moisture and can make your amp quite sick. Dampness also leads to mildew in the wood. Amps and guitars like to live in the same conditions we prefer. Rock on!
Excellent , this should definitely be in the top ten. Next video.
Legit!
I know this video is old, but what is considered a vintage tube amp. I just bought a Fender Super Champ X2 FSR, with the G10 Celestion speaker. Does this video apply to my amp or is my amp not considered vintage. It is my first tube amp so I know little to nothing about tube amps. Thank you.
Not really what I had in mind when I made the video. But the rules could still apply, the idea was meant to be extra carful because older vintage amps are fragile and they will never sound the same even when you fix them. So if you want to make your amp last, these can help..
Thanks for the question.
11. Never put it through the car wash. :-)
Or shower with it!
I just bought a Silvertone 10xl today, thanks for the advice!
Whohoo, love that amp, great sound , easy/cheap to fix, take it anywhere , play it anywhere . If you want to add a little bass and depth to it, lean it up against a wall, the solider the better but any wall that doesn't shake will do. Have fun , thanks for the comment.
I always knew you cannot fire up a tube amp without a speaker load, but this is the first time I've ever heard that you shouldn't fire it up without a cable in the input jack. Why would powering up without anything in the input jack damage the amp?
It's all a circuit looking for a load? resistance = pickups ....
Maybe if the input jack isn't grounded , you would hear a hum , like if you have a lead in but no guitar...any company that skimps on a 1 meg resistor for each input jack, needs a good hard kick in the nuts...
There is not a really good reason for this as long as there is a 1 M resistor to ground. No problem in turning it on or of. The problem can be connecting the guitar as it can give a static electricity shock that is quite high. In general tubes are quite robust to this as they are a mechanical construction, but modern amps with special FET's and Op-amps in the input stage are very sensitive to this and can be burned off.
In tube amps I think some of the capacitors may suffer by this shock over time, but the question is what hit them first. This or general ageing :-)
It's not about tube amps, it's about vintage tube amps, any precaution counts!
Jorge Valdovinos Yes, exactly.
I use a digital reverb with my tube amp and it sounds great! Much better than janky spring reverb.
I use digital reverb also and have found some great reverb pedals but I personally like the janky spring thing the most. Thanks for your comment 😎
#11: Never let a shittalker play your tube amp and never let`em touch your guitar.
I mean the one on the vid for example ...
I would never.
helpful stuff. just bought a tube amp after many years of playing, and it was good advice, clearly explained by a guy who throws a few jokes in just to keep it light! Nice work!
You get me. Thanks Simon Spencer.
All of these are myths except number 3. I work on my vintage amps all the time. Best way to get good deals on vintage gear. Buy it broken and fix it. One piece of advice this guy should have listed would be to never turn on an amp without a speaker load.....but without the GUITAR plugged in? Why not? Also paying attention to matching impedance is sound advice....but amps always going up in value? Glad this guy isn't my financial adviser.
***** Oh Joe, your such a Shmoe, thanks for the comment.
I've explained it to many times, if your really interested read the comment.
Joe Simon He didn't say amps always go up in value. He said vintage TUBE amps go up in value and that is almost always the case. In fact I can't think of any 30+ year old tube amp that has decreased in value, can you? If so I'd like to know so I can buy one so when it goes back up I can profit. At the very least they will hold their value. Hanging on to those old babies is excellent advice. I've never sold one of my amps but I sure as hell regret selling a couple of my older guitars when I was a young dumbass!
@@patrickfoster4586 their for a few years small tube amps like the kay went up in price for a few years and came back down in more recent years for reasons idk
Add number 11. Do NOT modify the wiring. I own 1977 Fender Deluxe Reverb. Two reputable technicians refused to add a Master Volume stating it would ruin its value. The "sweet" spot is 4 1/2 and a bit loud (even for stage volume). So . . . finally learned about attenuators to moderate volume and I'm happy using a Weber Mini-mass.
#11 never set a glass of any kind of liquid ( like a drink) on your amp it could spill and do big damage. #12 never put a larger amperage fuse in the amp than it calls for. If something in the amp should short out it could blow your power transformer and damage things. #13 never overdrive the amp with the original speaker it may blow the speaker out. #14 If the amp has the original leather handle do not carry it by the handle it could break and down goes the amp. #15 do leave the amp in your car trunk unless going or coming from a gig. It does not need to be subjected to the extra shaking. #16 if the amp has been in a cold place do not turn it on until it has had time to warm up and dry out from any condensation that may have formed in it. #17 Do not use WD @@@@ Lub. to clean the controls it will dry out after a year or so and may lock your controls up. It was not made for that purpose. #18 do not wiggle the tubes in their socket tring to clean the tube sockets this will expand the spring steel in the tube socket so that the tube socket no linger holds the tube in tight. #19 after having the amp gone over by a good Tech turn the amp on at least wonce a month for a few minutes. This will help to keep the filter caps from going bad. #20 donot beleive everything you read, see or watch unless it is coming from a relable source.
Very good advice here. And this advice will save you from learning the hard way, like I did in one or two of the things to avoid doing with a tube amp discussed in this video.
+Ralph Adamo Thanks, glad to help.
instead of the last one, it should have been "never lend your amp to anyone".
I have all my amps switched over to 3 prong plugs and have the death cap disconnect. I like to focus on music, rather than having to worry about eating a lightning bold if I get to close to my mic
lol shortly - NEVER use a tube amp it's very dangerous ;-))))
never use a guitar - your fingers can be tangled in strings
Great little video. Good tips and info. Love your vintage amp setup in the piece of furniture!
You forgot the worst sin of all - Don't stand your beer on your amp when its LIVE!
But Jack White did it at the Hammersmith and it was fine... Tbh I was pretty worried as well
@@N0-0n3...i had many a beer puddles on top of my Marshall, cocaine, whiskey, even whores , and that amp never once let me down! Played it loud n hard . many many gigs. 40 years later i still have it~
Great advice! I have 63 Princeton brownface and was thinking of selling it, but maybe now I won't.
Hold on.
#11 don't use your amp as a coaster for drinks
#12 if you do not know the do's and don'ts when it comes to tube amps, then do some research. Not only will this be good for your amp it will be good for you.
Yes and thanks for the share.
Great stuff! Im trying to find a vintage 1970's silver face fender twin reverb and am about to watch your How to Buy a Vintage Amp video!
Great amp , Best of luck.
Check out the new Fender 68 Custom Twin Reverb. It sounds incredible.
yes i have one
I have an original 1957 Fender Champ and I am concerned about playing through 60 year old capacitors. Also, there is a limit to how long to hold onto an amp. When the generation that finds them valuable starts to decline due to death, the value of your amp will also start to decline.
Internet Psychopath Do they even know what tubes are and how many guitar bands do you see nowadays, slim to none, its all digital sampling and Autotune.
Thanks, I just found an old tube amp recently for 25.00 at a garage sale and needed to know this information....
glad to help, enjoy that sweet vintage tone.
This is one that was told to me back in the 70's by a tech. When changing tubes, wipe them with a dry cloth or use gloves. Possible oils from your fingers could create hot spots on your tubes and decrease the tube life.
Yes, thank you. That should be on the list.
That ones BS. that only applies to halogen bulbs.
Not true, vacuum tubes don't get hot enough for that to be an issue. But dirty oily finger prints are unsightly.
Don't turn on your amp without your guitar already plugged in? I think that maybe you don't know what you're talking about. See The Guitlogist's comment.
I know exactly what im talking about and have explained it many time. If you want to understand, read through the comments. Thanks for your comment.
good advice here- I would contend that these things aren't THAT mysterious/dangerous. While one should consider his warnings, one can indeed work on these things themselves. I am in no way what people consider "mechanically minded" yet even I, after watching enough Uncle Doug and D-Lab, Guitarologist etc vids, have managed to purchase and work on a few vintage amps at this point. cap jobs, mods, 3 prong conversions, bias updates etc; all of these are well within the limits of a halfway intelligent adult. Want to know how to safely update your filter caps- watch 3, 4 or even 5 different videos on how different guys do it. How do you think the amp techs learned?? watch the vids and be careful!
Half of the information in this video is false and misinforming.
Cool video, thanks for the tips! (I love 9 & 10 ;)
Never ever lend out your vintage tube amp to your mate to do a gig when his amp is in for service as he will forget to tell you the gig is outdoors and he will kill your amp leaving out in the rain when he gets drunk!!!!!! grrrrrrr.
Yes, that one should definitely be included.
take your mates onces his is out of service i would hope after 5 years its ready
Always make sure the speaker's load can be handled by the amp. If not, it can damage the output transformer, just like having a disconnected output.
some of this is bogus. dont move a hot amp yes but because you could break the tubes not the amp. dont play until the amp is warmed up? wrong. its the tubes that warm up and it doesnt really matter. most tubes draw 100% power instantly. again this is about tube life not amp life. also its fine to turn an amp on with no guitar plugged in. I agree about never turn it on if the speaker isnt plugged in though thats the only good thing on the list.
A big part of why vintage amps sound the way they do is because of the vintage tubes that are in it, so when I say vintage amps I also mean the vintage tubes that are in it.
soundcheckvideos
true but vintage NOS tubes are sold everywhere. some positions really benefit from vintage tubes but others dont. Vintage made in USA or England tubes will last longer and be on spec more accurately than any new production no doubt but everything else is subjective (tone, distortion characteristics, bass response with 5Y3s etc;) the beauty of vintage amps is the circuit, magnets, speakers, parts drift etc; Tubes are just one part of the equation. for example those old supro/valco amps used the cheapest POS parts they could find. Boutique versions will be built "better" with superior parts but they wont sound the same. hell 2 1959 tweed deluxes wont sound the same next to each other.
Thats why we love them, partly.
Chris G That's why I'm so careful with my old tubes, I've had to many amps that sounded awesome, blew a tube and never sounded the same, so I feel the old tubes are integral to the sound and that's why I try to never move a hot amp.
soundcheckvideos
i try not to either, but sometimes i forget and move my little tweed deluxe around, its so light at 25lbs or so compared to my twin reverb at 70 lbs I dont even like to look at that and my back hurts lol
Chris G
Yeah, last time I loaded my TR into the trunk I said the next time will be to deliver to the next buyer...same w/the Super Six. Deluxe Reverb is enough nowadays heh.
I picked up an 80's Dean Markley CD-60. Trying to find a manual and am striking out. So many options on front knob board then the back has half as many knobs but more ports to plug in. Looking forward to exploring this thing.
#12 NEVER play your electric guitar through your vintage tube amp while taking a shower. It can "shock the heck out of you".
Singing in the shower is allow, however.
Woo, you just gave me chills. I play alot of em and always try to make sure I dont have anything else near that could shock me but that one sounds like a bad one, glad your still with us.
Number 10 i disagree with. there are a lot of great digital products on the market today that can enhance your sound. If it ain't broke don't fix it... unless it makes it better!
Thanks for the choice notes on care and safety. I would like to add "Don't leave it on for long periods when you are not using it!" I did this by mistake to my rebuilt 1960 GA200 and it is now back with the man getting a couple of tubes and a check over. Could have been more expensive and he said if it was an old AC30 it could be a pile of ashes, house too!. Also keep a good area for cool air to circulate around your hot bits (especially on your amp!) ;-)
Sold my silvertone 1484 when I was down and out in life. Easily the greatest mistake I have ever made.
Sometimes ya gota do what ya gota do.
if that is EASILY the greatest mistake you ever made, rejoice. I had an old tube amp back in the late 70's that sounded great. It stopped working and I threw it away. Still not close to the greatest mistake I've ever made.
Your best comment (*in my opinion) was "Do not sell your vintage tube amp"!!
I have a vintage Traynor head (YSR-1) and Ive owned since 1975. Many times my wife has said "why don't you just sell that thing??"
Is this an April Fools joke??
I GOT BLISTAS ON ME FINGAHS!!!!!
gonna plug my synthesizer into my vintage tube amp just to spite you. Ain't nothing you can do about it! MUAHAHAHAHA (jokes aside, really useful info)
Your only hurting yourself, meanwhile It would be interesting to hear.
Great comment, Thanks.
I like the sound of a synth going through a tube amp. I don't run my stuff through a vintage one but I do run it through a modern tube amp and mic it up to record. It's a quick way to add tube warmth to things that don't have enough character already. Plus, you can get some crazy sounds when you use the distortion on the amp itself in conjunction with the synth.
CheezeWizzzzz Sounds like it would sound very cool.
Raul ODonnal
Damn! Now I have to buy a vinyl player and make a vinyl discs for my back tracks!
Thanks Man!! :D
Why so many dislikes? People who disliked this video are probably already dead.
I think most of them are because they don't like #10 and some I think are because I can be a little annoying.
soundcheckvideos Yeah it's annoying that you really know your stuff, but then throw in random opinions, it detracts from all of the genuinely important points in the video.
I think it's really well made, and I like what you're doing, just some constructive criticism.
Cheers
People take pleasure in attempting to hurt others, that the only reason there are dislikes.
Great info, Questions, 1) is there a specific chord type best suited, guitar to amp? . Or chord specification. . How to know what tubes 3) How to know when to change tubes. ( Is it similar to Strings….Feel old, sound old, so get new strings.. Does tube get noticeably completely useable , such as when a light bulb burns out? Thanks all. Happy holidays……
Bashing digital pedals is stupid. Go play a strymon timeline then tell me that digital effects are wrong.
+TEAMSTEAM4LIFE Nothing wrong with digital effects, I just don't like to play them through my fully analog sweet sounding vintage tube amp.
+Nicholas Bouffard When playing through a super clean vintage Amp Pedals are nothing but an inconvenience IMO. To me there is nothing like the clean sound of a good tube amp without any effects, in my opinion pedals are overkill to a really good tube amp
If a two conductor amp shocked you - you have a leaky 'death cap' or faulty electrical installation in your house. Also it is highly advisable to just convert to 3 prong plug - better hum rejection (chassis and signal ground is grounded through a wire that doesn't carry current) and conformation to current safety standards.
a guy gives some friendly aadvice and gets trolled.
Line 6 POD XT PRO and the POD XT sound great through a nice tube amp. Whether it is vintage, tube, solid-state, or digital it is all in how you use it! I prefer digital delays over analog delays. But, it all boils down to how you use it. Sometimes using something in a different way works great. Mixing technology is often a fun thing to do.
+JRPowellIIIMusic Yes, yes it is. As long as you don't mind Latency.
There is no latency. I have only experienced latency when you play a guitar through a computer the Line 6 POD XT is a hardware device. It took me a while to get the sounds i was looking for. The Line 6 POD's great asset is the speaker simulator. It is all in how you use it, Vintage stuff is great. I embrace new and old tech.
Anything Digital has Latency.
Only when you play through a computer not with a hardware device like a Line 6 Pod XT PRO or POD XT or any of the units after. I have never had any latency on those devices. Only when using a guitar through a laptop using plug ins. That statement is not correct.
It is silly to say everything Digital has latency. Some things that use digital technology have latency is more of an accurate statement. I use both technologies and it has a lot to do how you apply something. Somethings work, some don't. I can play various different rig setups that I have and get great sound from them. I have no desire to go on and on over this.
I understand people can have different experiences with things. I have had people ask me how I get such a great sound from something that they had given up on.
I have seen players that have nearly identical rigs and one has great sound the other has no clue what to do. I had a soundman ask me how I was getting such a great tone from a Line 6 POD XT PRO. I was using a stereo tube clean pre-amp after it.
Sounds like you are passionate about your tone and I love that. But I still stand by my original comment that anything digital has Latency.
I wish I could dislike this twice
Great video. I just purchased an original 1955 Fender Deluxe Tweed. I’m very nervous about it. Should I keep it protected in a box and pull it out when I want to play it? It’s all original so I’m super nervous.
Ya, take good care of it but they are tough guitars so it will probably outlast you. Enjoy it.
I'd also suggest that One should not play the amp any louder than necessary, and be sure to keep all the settings as low as possible - this will likely extend the life of all of the internal components tremendously!!! Cranking anything up to near maximum is just asking for something to burn out, (aka: "smoke"), or fail!!! GREAT Video, & Great advice!!!!
SOME GREAT ADVICE! I USED TO GET SHOCKED ALL THE TIME FROM AN OLD AIRLINE TUBE AMP.....NOW I KNOW WHY.
not sure if this has been said yet, and although this is an old video, never unplug your guitar/bass while the amp is still on or not in standby.
Forget to say that I have a Harmony Bobcat and Galaxy kay at home, waiting for a vintage amp to sing ! Your collection (behind you) is great !
Hey Peter, you should not get shocked from a modern amp. Was it a real shock like a jolt or like a static shock like touching a door after walking on a carpet.
I would highly recommend the use of an isolation transformer for these amps. They usually don't have a power transformer, which means they're not isolated from the mains. That's where the risk of electrical shock comes from.
An isolation transformer is cheap, and there's a nice tutorial on Instructables explaining how to add one to a small vintage amp (search for "isolation transformer", it's the first result), and it goes very deep into details, so you don't screw up anything on the amp.
It's not vintage (yet!) but I just picked up my VOX AC15C1, my first tube amp. I'm kinda in love, thanks for the advice! :D
+Colin Myers Sweet.
Most of the amps I have seen Ground the input when nothing is connected.... the output/speaker needing to be connected is obvious... the input comment is a surprise.
It's good advice for most folks... I love tinkering with amps... the less valuable ones I dig into.... and have fixed many of them... the super special ones I send to my amp guy. A Crate, Markley, or Dano, I fix.. a Gibson... goes to the amp guy.
You're right about prices creeping up. The 80's stuff is appreciating now... I feel old.
don't set your drink on top of amp...PERIOD
Most small amps did not use a power transformer. They mostly had a 50C5 power tube, a 35W4 rectifier and a 12v preamp tube (usually 12AU6), with their heaters connected in series to the B+ AC, which was taken DIRECLTY from the mains.
What I mean by being isolated from the mains is that, with an isolation transformer, if something fails in the amp, the risk of you being electrocuted from being in contact with the "hot" wire from the mains is very unlikely to happen.
i became the conductor one time playing a job in a very old building. i saw the big blue flash as my bottom lip touched the shure sm58 mic. i missed singing the next line, then kept back a bit till the end of the song. not a fun time. play it safe out there, buckaroos.
Hey I have one of those little silvertone amps! I modded the heck out of mine though. New speaker, etc. I should have probably left it stock though.
So true, excellent comment. If only we could travel back in time , how many amps could you bring back. I see someone coming through the time portal with arms full of Tube Amps, I think I could carry 10.
Lots of good points, but you're going to have a lot of folks tell you they do this or that all the time (as some already have) and might not agree with your advice without a technical explanation. Here are the technical explanations for the three big ones:
Strumming while amp is still warming up: This causes a condition called "cold cathode stripping" Tubes work by boiling electrons off a heated cathode (like a lightbulb filament). Those electrons are the source of the amplified signal. They come from a coating on the cathode. When you play your guitar before the tubes are fully heated, you smack that cathode with high voltage before it has begun boiling off electrons. What happens is that the coating loses some of its potency. It won't damage the tube, but it will shorten it's life.
Turning the amp on without a speaker attached: Flyback voltage that builds in the output transformer has to go somewhere. If it stays in the transformer is can do major damage to it's secondary winding. With most push-pull amps this is not a problem as long as no signal is applied without a speaker attached. With single-ended amps it really depends on the amp design, and whether or not negative feedback is used in the circuit. SE output stages oscillate easier than push-pull. As soon as a signal is applied to the input, all bets are off. You can easily short or open your output transformer just by running for a few minutes without a speaker.
Turning amp on without a guitar plugged in: This again really hinges on the amp design, and also the design of the input jack. If the jack auto-shorts with no plug inserted, no problem. If the jack is wide open with no plug inserted there is a potential for oscillation to occur. It might not even be oscillation that is in normal hearing range. Oscillation has the (very small) potential to do damage to the amp.
Wow , thanks for that, well done.
On cathode stripping, not so much with tube rectification. It's basically a "soft start" situation. SS rectification, the tube IS getting slammed. Precision/Frazer amplifiers (6GT5 output) were famous for this.
Just wanted to thank goldenrod fox for all the great information. You don't find many people to take the time as he did to go into that much detail.
Someone had written a comment to me. I think it was done in error. Whatever, nothing bad. just curious.
Thank you! I can't believe the amount of ill-informed comments. Besides the perfectly correct advice in advice (albeit, dumbed down for us regular folk) have none of these "experts" ever plugged in their axe with the amp on (especially cold) and heard the incredible "pops, "sizzles" and "bangs" resulting from said action? These noises make 60 cycle hum sound like music. There is a reason the noises occur ... it would be akin to starting your car in drive or reverse (if that were possible). YES, it probably won't damage the amp ...but...I said "probably" and why take a chance with that beautiful Fullerton "Blackface or Tweed" circuit!
Never let anyone repair or restore your vintage tube amp but a fully experienced tech that is frequently doing this type work all the time. #11
I'd agree with that.
I just found your channel and I have become a fan !!!
Cool, thank you.
Yeah, Grandpa definitely got in at the ground floor of the tube game. I still have his very first book he ever owned on electronic theory. He gave it to me when I was 10. It's called "Radio Frequency Amplification" by Kenneth Harkness, and it's copyrighted 1923. All the principles of operation, the math equations, and the explanations of how tubes behave and why they work is still valid today. It's a classic, and I'm very fortunate to have had a man like my Grandpa around to show me the basics.
Nice, I just bought a tube amp and it seemed like all good information
That is great! thank you for informing! :) I have a late 60's Binson hifi amp head, and I didn't know how to use it correctly. thank you very much indeed!
You bet, glad to help.
I have a few vintage tubes including a original 58 5e3. 1- Do not sit drinks or play quarters on the top of it. 2- Don't use it for a step ladder. 3- Do not leave it outside in the rain. 4- The force you hit or kick the amp when it acts up is proportional to how much it cost. 5- Do not take it to Best buy to get worked on. 6- Do not let male dogs around it. 7- If you GF or wife ask if you love it more than them. LIE. More later....
Good advise. My amp tech has said much of what you said.
And much of it I learned by touching my lip to the mic which lit up the basement and blew the fuse back in 1968 with my old Long gone 2 prong 1484 twin Silvertone amp and long gone Gibson Les Paul jr.
My first amp was a Long gone Kay 503 which I totally abused.
So your suggestions are not law but are a great rule of thumb that most newbies may need to consider. For someone to knitpick your page is just childish
I got great toys now and plan to give some of them to my grandson if he continues to progress.
I understood everything except the part about digital effects? Why shouldn't I run a digital delay or other similar pedal through my vintage tube amp?
That's just a joke.
As in those paths should not cross. :) Gotcha.