Hey guys,
Do tubes wear more slowly if an amp has been in storage/disuse for large periods of time, or does it not matter?
Do tubes wear more slowly if an amp has been in storage/disuse for large periods of time, or does it not matter?
Tube wear
- Thread starter Ermz
- Start date
Not sure I know what your getting at, but you're not putting any wear on tubes if they're not being used. 
For the most part, tube life is a function of the number of hours of actual use, and how hard the tube is used during those hours. (i.e. high volume, etc.)
I guess you could compare it to tires on a car. They get worn when you drive the car, and the harder you drive, the faster they wear.
For the most part, tube life is a function of the number of hours of actual use, and how hard the tube is used during those hours. (i.e. high volume, etc.)
I guess you could compare it to tires on a car. They get worn when you drive the car, and the harder you drive, the faster they wear.
Omega_Void
Your Eventual Destroyer
Tubes don't wear out unless they're in use. They'll come out of storage just the same as they went in.
(If you're getting issues from gear which has been mothballed for a long time, the most likely problem is the electrolytic caps. The dielectric oxide coating can break down a bit, causing higher-than-normal "leakage currents". The electro caps in a tube amp will re-form the oxide during use and gradually return to normal, usually.)
MetalJonesy
more metal, more booze!!!
yeah Ermin, look at the amount of NOS tubes people go for on ebay and such!! deffo not gnna be worn out
Sacha
Throbbing Member
It doesn't matter for tubes as far as I know, but i've read that the caps should be 'excercised' in your amp otherwise they can dry out / fail eventually from lack of use.
DAR Amps
New Metal Member
If tubes have been in storage for a while, (like over 6 months without use), It's not a bad idea to run the heaters for a few hours to help get the cathode emission up. Sometimes a bit of poisoning of the cathode occurs in long term storage. I only bother doing this on power tubes though. Usually there's ample emission reserves on the preamp tubes to not even think of it. Also, the preheat can help activate any stray gas formation that has occurred and bind it to the getter surface. (that's the shiny thing on the glass bulb)
But, none of this is truly necessary, it's just if you pay big money for a set of tubes, why not.
Make sure the amp bias is right too!
But, none of this is truly necessary, it's just if you pay big money for a set of tubes, why not.
Make sure the amp bias is right too!
