Using The Standby Switch

admin · Post by **admin** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 10:18 am

Charlie: Does using the standby switch allow tubes to last longer and if so why? How long should the tubes remain on standby before switching on your amplifier.

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 10:28 am

Great question Peter...I would also like to know.

soundmasterg · Post by **soundmasterg** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 3:13 pm

I'm not Charlie, but it depends on which amp you're talking about, because some amps, like the Silvertone Twin Twelve 1484 just tie the grids of the power tubes together so it isn't doing anything except shutting most of the sound off.

If you're talking about the typical Fender setup, then I believe that if you turn the amp power on with the standby engaged and let it sit that way for a couple minutes before putting it into operate mode, then it helps the tube life quite a bit. I'll let the real expert explain why though, as I'd just be guessing on a lot of it.

ken_j · Post by **ken_j** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 4:14 pm

It removes the high voltage from the tubes, but leaves on the heaters.

triode · Post by **triode** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 5:48 pm

If you have a Fender or Marshall amp, and most other amps, the standby switch, cuts off the high voltage to the plates. It keeps the power transformer cooler and the tubes do not get as hot. It is only recommended that you use the standby switch during band breaks or rehearsal breaks. Do not leave the amp on all the time with the standby switch on. It will eventually strip the coating off the cathodes and ruin the tubes.

In general, just shut the amp off when you are not going to use it for several hours or days.

fenderslash · Post by **fenderslash** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 1:52 pm

Another question to clarify the above post: It probably makes little difference, but in the long term for an often-gigged amp, which is better for the tubes during twenty minute band breaks... putting the amp in standby mode, or just leaving it fully switched on (with the guitar's volume down of course)?

Also, does it do any damage to tubes or circuit to unplug guitars and plug them in with the amp in standby mode?

soundmasterg · Post by **soundmasterg** » Thu Oct 20, 2005 2:03 pm

It doesn't do any damage in any way to tubes or circuit to plug or unplug the guitar cord while the amp is in standby.

I would think that it is better to put the amp in standby during breaks like you mentioned, and that is what most people do at the jams I go to. However, I wouldn't think there would be a huge difference in leaving it on with the volume down either, if its only 20 minutes a couple times a night. I've read that a standby switch isn't really necessary with the type of tubes and voltages used in most guitar amps, and you'll see most older, low-powered amps don't even have a standby switch. I don't know if that is true or not though, because it is only one person's opinion.