How long does it take for your tubes to break in?
10-14 days is the general rule, but new tube gear can significantly improve by the hour / day in my experience.
Do tube amps need to break in?
You do need to let your amp warm up before using it, however, not doing so will not damage it. The only thing that will happen is that until the tubes are warm enough you won’t get any sound. The amp will keep building up heat until about 15 to 30 minutes when it will reach its working temperature.
When should 12AX7 tubes be replaced?
Small signal tubes like a 12AX7 or 6922 will work well on average for about 10,000 hours. If you leave your equipment on 24 hours a day, well you do the math: There are 8,760 hours in a year.
How long should I let my tube amp warm up?
20 to 30 minutes
As a rule of thumb, your tube amp needs to be warmed up for 20 to 30 minutes at least before you can start playing your guitar. Most of the time, tube amps have warm up specifications included in their instructions for use.
Do guitar amps break in?
“There is no question that amplifiers do break in and sound ever warmer and sweeter as they get played,” says Brian Gerhard of Top Hat Amplifiers. “I don’t know how many hours it takes, but I’ve historically noticed an obvious difference after about two years, even referenced through new tubes and speakers.”
Can I use 12AT7 instead of 12AX7?
The 12AT7 tube is almost identical in looks to the venerable 12AX7 tube, and in many ways can be used for the same applications as a 12AX7. However, the 12AT7 features a somewhat lower gain (typically about a factor of 60-70) and runs at a higher current.
How long does it take to burn-in a tube amp?
A passing comment about tube amplifier burn-in. I have noticed, that on multiple vacuum tube power amplifiers, the sound of the amp changes considerably during the first 50 hours (or less) of use.
Do tube amps need to warm up?
As a rule of thumb, your tube amp needs to be warmed up for 20 to 30 minutes at least before you can start playing your guitar. Most of the time, tube amps have warm up specifications included in their instructions for use.
What happens if you don’t let tubes warm up?
Tube amps need to warm up so that you can maintain a good tone with your guitar. If you do not allow your electric guitar’s tube amps to warm up before you rehearse or play a gig, you will notice that after around half an hour or so of play the tone of your guitar will become less easy to control.