Guitar Amp Standby Switch

Only use the standby switch when warming up of the amp.

Guitar amp standby switch.

Fortunately the standby switch is very straightforward yet absolutely essential. So essential in fact that all of carvin audio s 50 watt or more all tube guitar amp models such as the v3 x100b and belair come loaded with one. For example the carmen ghia and its directly heated 5y3 rectifier does not need a standby switch. What you might not know however is that while that is a conveniently useful function of the standby switch that s not the main reason it s.

When you first turn your amp on you want the switch to be in the standby position in which no sound will be produced while the tubes warm up. Let me say that a standby switch is a convenience supplied to guitar amps. Standby switch in tube guitar amplifiers. Don t use it as a beer break switch.

A refresher and reminder to use that standby switch. Low cost low voltage and low power. For short breaks simply turn down the volume control or mute switch if you have one and don t use the standby switch so there is not that nasty pop in the house sound system that could damage speaker drivers. Guitar amps operate at 500v or less most at under 100w.

Three reasons that guitar amps should not require standby switches. This is meant to let the heaters warm up before the high voltage is switched on. This article will explain what the standby switch does and how to use it. A standby switch does not extend the life of the valves in fact it is more likely to reduce their useful life.

On marshall s fenders and most other tube amps this is achieved by switching on the power at the main switch leaving it for the necessary time then. Then anywhere from 15 seconds to a few minutes after powering up flip the standby switch to the on position and you re ready to goat whatever volume you like. Guitar amp power tubes are inexpensive compared to the cost of say a transmitting tube for a radio station. But let s get one thing straight.

The use and need of a standby switch is an issue that comes up from time to time. Right next to the on off switch on many tube amps is a second switch labeled standby. So why do many guitar amps have standby switches. It s that switch that silences your guitar amp without actually turning it off which comes in handy when break time rolls around at rehearsal or at a gig.

Old books called it preheating.