heymisterk Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 ...I found the amplifier information on other sections of this forum rather sparse, so I'll try here... I play through a Mesa-Boogie all-tube combo, and I never know when I should switch on the Stand By button, or just shut the whole damn thing down. Is there a time frame "rule of thumb" any of you use? Do the tubes have a shorter life span when you turn the amp off and on frequently? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vagabond Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 There was a really good article on the Gibson Lifestyle page (a series, really) that had a few real easy tips about taking care of your gear to help improve your tone. This was one of the tips. What I usually do before I play is turn the stand-by on and go wash my hands (I have farily oily skin and work with my hands frequently during the day), by the time I'm done the amp is usually warmed up and ready to go. The cooldown doesn't have to be that long. I generally just wait 30-45 seconds, but sometimes longer if I played for an exceptionally long length of time at high volumes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swmcv2007 Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 I always wait at least 1-2 FULL minutes before switching Standby off to play AND to turn it on before I turn the amp off. Turning the amp off without flipping Standby back on does bad things. Same goes for vice versa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Californiaman Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 In the latest Guitar Player Magazine, Joe Bonamassa talked about using some of his older amps that hadn't been played in a while. He states that because of the amplifier's age, sometimes he'd leave them on "Stand By" all night long so there was some electricity flowing through them. Stand-by is there for a reason and it makes since to use it if you have it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichCI Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 I leave it in standby for a minute or two before switching to full power when turning it on and put it back in standby for a few seconds before fully powering down. If I don't put it in standby first when powering down, there's a pop through the speakers; I don't know if it hurts anything but I figure I might as well prevent it from happening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thundergod Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 A guy that mods and builds amps lilke my main amp once told me to stop using the standby switch... as in this particular design it can lead to problems... so I stopped using it, and the amp has never given me any trouble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djroge1 Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Another use for the standby switch is to put the amp in standby mode after playing to discharge the caps. This is only needed if you are about to open the back and poke inside the amp - which is not recommended if you don't know what you're doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 I've read, to use standby for turning on. To NOT use standby when turning off, just shut it off. That's how I do it. And I don't use standby on breaks, just turn down guitar volume. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfpup Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 I've heard the stand-by start up is better for your tube amp - I just never seem to bother or remember to do it. Years of tube amp use with no apparent adverse effects from the cold start up and quick shut down... Tubes are tough ya know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Plains Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 I agree with what Murph said. Standby is to warm the tubes up before use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brundaddy Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 I heard it was a guy with a hook on his foot. /too obscure? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deepblue Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 You dont want to put a load on cold power tubes....warm 'em up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kingtf Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Anytime I gig, I turn my amps ON first thing while setting up and switch them to standby, just to warm the tubes and saturate them. Generally, they are on for a good 30-40 minutes before I switch the amp into playing mode (standby off). When I break, I switch the amp back to standby to maintain the heat on the tube. Tubes always sound best when they are good and hot, IMO. Been doing it for 40 yrs. Just my 2 cents, never had any issues in this regard using Fender or Mesa amps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoConMan Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 Same as consistently stated above for me with my Fenders and Marshall. Standby before on for at least a minute when powering up. For long breaks I flip to standby just to kill the slight hiss. On shut down, I use standby while I'm doing other things and flip the amp power off last thing. Many older tube amps have no standby funtion at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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