OmG my amp has never sounded better! What happened please help...

Shawnvs

Hi,

Had a pretty awesome gig last night, although it was riddled with technical hassles. Firstly, my OctaSwitch didn't operate right coz of power-flow issues, so no FX. Then played through most of the set noticing my amp is just not performing right and its reaching the gaining stage the entire time. I looked behind my head and noticed only one valve is burning! OH GOD, not again, I don't want my amp to catch alight...

Switched to standby between a song and back on again. Played through the song with my amp sounding loud and clear again and hardly gaining. Checked the valves and they were both burning fine, and my amp has never sounded so nice, absolutely in control and crackling up lightly as i played harder on the strings - like it should-.

What happened? Can anyone help?

AlanRatcliffe

Only a guess, but you mention power-flow issues? That could have something to do with it. Like Van Halen using a Variac to supply lower voltage to his amps to get "the brown sound". At lower voltages, a valve amp still works, but it tends to sag more and break up earlier. As I said a guess - so let's see what the guys with electrical knowledge come up with...

Also, maybe not having effects had something to do with the good tone? There is a certain magic to plugging straight in.

Maybe time to get a power conditioner in your setup?

DonovanB

Alan Ratcliffe wrote Like Van Halen using a Variac to supply lower voltage to his amps to get "the brown sound".

is that the sound that apparently makes you kak yourself? Or am I the only one who saw that South Park Episode?

Shawnvs

Alan Ratcliffe wrote Only a guess, but you mention power-flow issues? That could have something to do with it. Like Van Halen using a Variac to supply lower voltage to his amps to get "the brown sound". At lower voltages, a valve amp still works, but it tends to sag more and break up earlier. As I said a guess - so let's see what the guys with electrical knowledge come up with...

Also, maybe not having effects had something to do with the good tone? There is a certain magic to plugging straight in.

Maybe time to get a power conditioner in your setup?

Im definitely no stranger to plugging straight in, thats why I have the octaswitch. Now, what is a power conditioner?

AlanRatcliffe

Shawnvs wrote Now, what is a power conditioner?

Similar to a UPS for a computer. They clean up the power (getting rid of annoying hum problems) and offer surge protection. The better ones also regulate the voltage, making sure that your equipment always sees the right voltage. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-power-conditioner.htm

Furman make some of the best units, but inexpensive ones can be had from Phonic, Samson and other manufacturers. I know Graeme Parfett made a simple one for Manfred's amplifier not too long ago.

Shawnvs

Thanks I have indeed heard of these things. Graeme is in South Africa?

AlanRatcliffe

Shawnvs wrote Thanks I have indeed heard of these things. Graeme is in South Africa?

Yeah Cape Town. Cell: 076 729 0538. He's the guy that does the Tube Tamer and is on this forum, so you can do a member search and PM him.