Members Mike LX-R Posted August 6, 2012 Members Share Posted August 6, 2012 by any unit of measure you may know, how long does a preamp tube last? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members esizer Posted August 6, 2012 Members Share Posted August 6, 2012 until it goes south Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NeloAngelo Posted August 6, 2012 Members Share Posted August 6, 2012 by any unit of measure you may know, how long does a preamp tube last? 2-4 hours per tube at bedroom volumes.4-8 hours at stage volume. so a 5150II/6505+ preamp tubes would last up to 20 hours at home. i am 100% sure i am right. i am posting this on the internet, and you can't lie on the internet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NaturalBornBoy Posted August 6, 2012 Members Share Posted August 6, 2012 With current production tubes, anywhere from 2 days to 2 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Nick H Posted August 6, 2012 Members Share Posted August 6, 2012 Usually mine last 6 months to a year. Theres alot of variables tho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tommy Horrible Posted August 6, 2012 Members Share Posted August 6, 2012 Usually mine last 6 months to a year. Theres alot of variables tho. Wat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tommy Horrible Posted August 6, 2012 Members Share Posted August 6, 2012 I've had about 4 pre amp tubes fail on me in all the years I've been playing(18 years), YMMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Valtiel Posted August 6, 2012 Members Share Posted August 6, 2012 In my actual hands on experience, 2 seconds to 30 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mesa/Kramer Posted August 6, 2012 Members Share Posted August 6, 2012 Never had a preamp tube fail. They can last decades Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members tlbonehead Posted August 6, 2012 Members Share Posted August 6, 2012 My V1s tend to go soggy a lot sooner than the others as rule. (makes perfect sense) I usually change them every other power tube change. The others, whenever a problem arises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Keebz Posted August 6, 2012 Members Share Posted August 6, 2012 I usually change mine out after 2-3 years. It doesn't actually go bad on me, but after changing them, I can surely hear the difference! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members metalhobo Posted August 6, 2012 Members Share Posted August 6, 2012 I've had one make the Kessel run in less than 12 parsecs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mike LX-R Posted August 6, 2012 Author Members Share Posted August 6, 2012 i must have a tube going bad. i'm losing body in my sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mike LX-R Posted August 6, 2012 Author Members Share Posted August 6, 2012 I usually change mine out after 2-3 years. It doesn't actually go bad on me, but after changing them, I can surely hear the difference! i think this is what's going on. one hasn't completely failed but I'm hearing issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Cirrus Posted August 6, 2012 Members Share Posted August 6, 2012 I've only ever had them go microphonic, and that seems to happen long before they start sounding bad which really winds me up when there's one I love the sound of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Elessar [Sly] Posted August 6, 2012 Members Share Posted August 6, 2012 In my actual hands on experience, 2 seconds to 30 years. I have also had tubes crap out pretty much suddenly. I have had two amps where the pre-amp valves have gone within a matter of days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Miter Gauge Posted August 6, 2012 Members Share Posted August 6, 2012 I don't know if this is accurate or not but I had an electronic (and nuclear) engineer friend who was a real tube enthusiast tell me that they take a very long time to wear out and that he recommended changing them only when they go microphonic (even then he said you could use them in the P.I. slot) or break. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NinjaRaf Posted August 6, 2012 Members Share Posted August 6, 2012 Theres such a huge range on this that its ridiculous. They could last 2 days, they could last 40 years. My old 5150 head had original tubes in it from the early 90s...Just play them until something sounds weird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Pepi Posted August 6, 2012 Members Share Posted August 6, 2012 6 years two days and 21 hours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cobrahead1030 Posted August 6, 2012 Members Share Posted August 6, 2012 I only change mine, when I'm bored and want something that sounds a bit different. In 14 years of playing tube amps, and owning somewhere around 12-15 of them...I think I've maybe had 2-3 preamp tubes that really NEEDED changing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tommy Horrible Posted August 6, 2012 Members Share Posted August 6, 2012 I would also like to add, JJ's are pieces of {censored}. Especially if you get them from Eurotubes. Every preamp tube I've ever had fail was a supposedly new tube from them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mike LX-R Posted August 6, 2012 Author Members Share Posted August 6, 2012 I would also like to add, JJ's are pieces of {censored}. Especially if you get them from Eurotubes. Every preamp tube I've ever had fail was a supposedly new tube from them. hm. this might be my exact problem... JJ and Eurotubes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NaturalBornBoy Posted August 6, 2012 Members Share Posted August 6, 2012 I stay away from Eurotubes like the plague. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarbilly74 Posted August 6, 2012 Members Share Posted August 6, 2012 I would also like to add, JJ's are pieces of {censored}. Especially if you get them from Eurotubes. Every preamp tube I've ever had fail was a supposedly new tube from them. I never had an issue with JJs but I don't buy them from Eurotubes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mike LX-R Posted August 6, 2012 Author Members Share Posted August 6, 2012 alright then. I need a good tube retailer... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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