Standby

[selloutrr]

My tech told me forever ago to standby Marshalls, and turn down Voxes.

I do that.

Umm.. this cathode stripping stuff.. please, show me cathode stripping.

I run amps at the bare minimum voltage to keep the light on OFTEN. I have never experienced this cathode stripping. I know it must exist, I just never created the condition in the prescribed ways.

I agree, I was taught the same with marshall / vox. Cathode stripping I guess it's measured in tube life? since we use the standby the tube life is just normal wear and tear so it's only relative to what we know?

[Reeltarded]

Here is the thing.. I have Marshalls with original output sets that have been variaced to blackout for hours at a time since.. the big 80s.

When tubes let go, they get replaced here.. but never any indication of cathode stripping. By all written accounts, I should be the poster boy.

(and maybe you too from previous responses)

Hi! We are the cathode stripping brothers!

[selloutrr]

+1 I punish the amps and tubes in the name of tone. I've blown a few up with a variac, But cathode stripping is new to me.

[M Fowler]

I say punish those tubes

[selloutrr]

I'm nicer to NOS tubes but New Production who cares?...
They need a good burn'in to get the bright top end under control.

New tubes plus new strings = Low pass filter

[M Fowler]

I mostly build amps based around new production tubes, buying all the NOS tubes I would need would lead me to the poor house.

[Reeltarded]

Meet me in my new topic about NOS output tubes.

(and bring a wet rag, I am going to need medical attention)

[selloutrr]

I only keep a two Quad (8 tubes) of matched NOS on hand for each type, 6550, KT66,77,88, 6L6, 6V6, EL34, El84, and few dozen pre's plus odds and ends. I bill the going rate ( the highest published price ) to the label so I can afford to replace them.
once the non refundable deposit is made, I put in the tubes, adjust the bias, and place the order for the replacements.
It allows me to keep as little $ tied up in tubes as possible. I know people have had some hit and miss luck with the new JJ/tesla but over all they are the best sounding new production tube I've heard for the price. The sovteks/new sensor/electro harmonix camp comes in a very close second. I'll be the first to agree the new tubes are missing that special "thing" the NOS have but for the price they are damn good! and so cheap you can strip the cathode all day long

[Reeltarded]

I have been totally ok with JJs for output tubes. I have not tried any modern KT88s, that is scary.. so I wait til the new ones are NOS to see. heh

I have had great (luck?) results in the V1/V2 with EH branded tubes. They are flat and pushy. I dunno exactly why, but an old tube usually ends up at the PI.

I Googled cathode stripping during the SOTU address. I couldn't find anything that alligned with my experience.

I am going with tradition here.

[sixstringer]

On pages 92-99 of Merlin Blencowe's "Designing Power Supplies for Tube Amplifiers" there is a history of standby switches in guitar amps, the myths about them, cathode stripping and soft-start switching designs. Basically, the contention is that "a standby switch has no significant effect on the normal working life of a receiving valve".

[Reeltarded]

It's convienient!

[daydreamer]

I haven't used standby switches since I read this several years ago! Also a lot of other good info on his web site.

ampdoc1

awesome article ampdoc1!! I just love it when prevailing wisdom is challenged.

I've never known wtf to do with the standby, so now I know.

cheers...

Andy

[selloutrr]

you can use it to discharge the filter caps

[daydreamer]

you can use it to discharge the filter caps

oh, cool. how?
i had the traynor open the other day, looking for info on draining caps in the safest way. Ended up doing what made sense off youtube, (wire with resistor from caps to ground.)

Like you, I tend to use the standby as a mute. Now I know I can turn it off and on without it, I will. If it's going back on within a short space of time the caps will still have charge anyway.

Andy

[Reeltarded]

Leave standby in play position, turn amp off. Leave cable plugged in.

That drain won't clog. It also might not drain residual energy. ALWAYS test.

My disclaimer.