Tube amp head and cab's

[hbombgraphics]

I do think that this is a place where we try to wring the most out of our gear
but the methods are different
signal integrity is a super low priority for me compared with signal manipulation

[Grrface]

I do think that this is a place where we try to wring the most out of our gear
but the methods are different
signal integrity is a super low priority for me compared with signal manipulation

I think that might be one of the best summations of ILF I've ever seen.

[Uncle Grandfather]

Actually, tube amps color the FUCK out of your sound. Plug your guitar direct into an audio interface, or hi-fi stereo and you will hear what an electric guitar actually sounds like. Shit. That's why we have tube amps. To make guitars sound good.

I know. I said as much earlier and that's why I love them and have different tube amps for their different color's/distortions. I'm just always been interested in getting the best sound from the tube amp, without any external influence like vibrations for example, so I can enjoy the amp and all the effects I run through it at any volume. Doesn't seem to be a major concern for anyone else. And that's cool too.

[Uncle Grandfather]

I do think that this is a place where we try to wring the most out of our gear
but the methods are different
signal integrity is a super low priority for me compared with signal manipulation

In the end, I'm the same way too in regards to signal manipulation. i find taking a pedal and exploiting its weakness' just as rewarding as finding it's "sweet" spot's. but I also think that signal integrity is important as well, and obviously the amp plays a major roll in the end result. I guess i feel if the amp is operating under the best possible circumstances, then all the signal manipulation has a...better chance of remaining true/sounding the best it can? And of course I'm taking the amp's coloration on the signal into account as well. was just curious about how/why other's set up their amp head/cabs. seems a moot point i guess.

[Uncle Grandfather]

I fell asleep in ILF and woke up in TGP....

I thought that now I'm on a board that specializes in our shared love, I'd see some more musicians that take whatever measure necessary to get the most out of their gear. And I'm pretty certain all of you are.

If its free maybe....

doesn't cost anything but time to try?

not counting my guitar/bass amps, I've got a stereo that uses 44 tubes all together, so I've bought alot of NOS tubes and backups and different brands for different presentations. gets expensive over the years. when you find that make/model/year you stock up. aside from recording with the head on the amp vs. head on the floor and hearing a difference...its my experience with my high-fi tube gear that really pushed me to get the most out of my guitar amps.

vibrating tubes into being microphonic is a concern I have, specially for preamp tubes. but its the potential sonic degradation that really interest's me.

interested in how to make new and innovative tones that are abstract in comparison to what the brain wants to perceive as guitar, I'm 100% with you on this one.

[GardenoftheDead]

Actually, tube amps color the FUCK out of your sound. Plug your guitar direct into an audio interface, or hi-fi stereo and you will hear what an electric guitar actually sounds like. Shit. That's why we have tube amps. To make guitars sound good.

That's what happens when you stick a weak transducer onto a completely non-resonant plank of wood.

[fiddelerselbow]

I think, and this may just be me, but this might be a case of overthinking things?

Or, I'm a luddite that doesn't care about his gear.

I'd tend to agree with this. I'm pretty sure my AC30 is filled with old beer and fag butts by now.

[theavondon]

I'm also wondering...if my cab is doing so much vibrating, then why do I not hear my spring verb rattling? It seems if I take a step near it, the springs shake like a motherfucker. But it doesn't kerrang when I'm just playing it loud.

[misterstomach]

the thing about a combo is that the tubes are actually inside the enclosure with blasting speakers. i'm not even sure how much that makes a difference, but i can't imagine that kind of vibration is comparable to what you get when you have an enclosed cab and on top of that is a head with some feet on it and another wooden box with tubes in it. not near the amount of sonic vibration. i just don't really think the minor vibrations reaching the tubes are going to make that big of an impact. i've never had a tube go microphonic. they always fail in some other way from wear before that is a problem. i've also never really noticed a difference in sound between a head on the floor and a head on the cabs. (yes, i've tried it, but not for sonic reasons, usually when the stage seems a bit unstable or whatever i'll put my head on the floor so it doesn't fall. also when i ran two heads i kept one of them on the floor.) even if there was ever so slight of a difference, i would still put my head on top and the reasons are that aside from looking awesome, i'm usually playing with a full band on a crowded stage and space is at way too much of a premium for that. also, i really need to be able to easily see and reach the amp to make changes. being on the floor, with the knobs on the front, crammed next to or behind the drums in the dark, while i have a guitar strapped on on cramped stage just isn't an acceptable place for my amp. if i were sitting down with a little table right there with all my stuff on it with ample room on stage i might put the head on the table too, but that's just not happening in my band. different strokes though. whatever makes you happy. if it works for you then by all means, go for it.

[tuffteef]

lol what

[01010111]

I'm also wondering...if my cab is doing so much vibrating, then why do I not hear my spring verb rattling? It seems if I take a step near it, the springs shake like a motherfucker. But it doesn't kerrang when I'm just playing it loud.

That's actually been my experience with spring reverb every single time I've had it or tried it out on someone else's I think that was more problem of resonance than the amp physically rattling the springs, though.

[in_sherman]

they built much of the avionics of the mig 25 foxbat fighter jet using tubes. basically, even though they're old technology they should be sturdy enough for any amp. just take a look at this chart of the effect of vibration energy thermodynamics on your amp.


it's science. you can't argue with it. plus, tone is in the fingers
</tgp>

[JuJo]

Mainly my head has always been on top of my cab for ease of access, to tweak when needed.Also, I wouldn't expect it to be much better off on the floor when I've always played on shitty, cramped stages where the floor would vibrate along with 2 cranked guitar amps and a full bass cab. On top of that you would get the vibration caused by bandmates stomping about constantly in the little bit of room they had. Also, many close quarters shows with a bunch of drunks going nuts and regularly invading our space to the point of stomping all over pedals/cables, etc.

I guess I've always kind of taken for granted that the equipment is built heavily enough to withstand the vibration from the speaker cabinets and in fact was designed for that purpose. I've always felt safer with the head on top of the cabinet, than sitting on the floor. I do remember one show where thing were very cramped having my head tucked away beside the cabs in an odd manner and it was an absolute nightmare to adjust. I've never really had issues with tubes, except the one amp I had that came with a bad tube that I didn't find out about until I had the chance to open it up at a jam. I've also never been in the situation where NOS tubes were even considered to be worth the investment, and I'm sure I never will, though it would nice to hear.

[01010111]

...just take a look at this chart of the effect of vibration energy thermodynamics on your amp.

I'm pretty that's not a chart on vibrating thermodynamics. Such a chart would have to be a bar graph with various length dildos.

Seriously, though, that looks like a chart that details the amount of time needed for the foxbot to intercept something.

[Uncle Grandfather]

Mainly my head has always been on top of my cab for ease of access, to tweak when needed.Also, I wouldn't expect it to be much better off on the floor when I've always played on shitty, cramped stages where the floor would vibrate along with 2 cranked guitar amps and a full bass cab. On top of that you would get the vibration caused by bandmates stomping about constantly in the little bit of room they had. Also, many close quarters shows with a bunch of drunks going nuts and regularly invading our space to the point of stomping all over pedals/cables, etc.

I guess I've always kind of taken for granted that the equipment is built heavily enough to withstand the vibration from the speaker cabinets and in fact was designed for that purpose. I've always felt safer with the head on top of the cabinet, than sitting on the floor. I do remember one show where thing were very cramped having my head tucked away beside the cabs in an odd manner and it was an absolute nightmare to adjust. I've never really had issues with tubes, except the one amp I had that came with a bad tube that I didn't find out about until I had the chance to open it up at a jam. I've also never been in the situation where NOS tubes were even considered to be worth the investment, and I'm sure I never will, though it would nice to hear.

Good points. I keep the head in the lid of a flight box on some thick foam, and i built footers made of large ball bearings that rest in little metal "bowls" so the bearings can roll freely when vibrated to help keep the floor vibrations from getting up into the amp. if you ever do get interested in NOS tube check with audiotubes.com. Very informative website and a great guy to deal with. Depending on your amp's design, I might think preamp tubes would be a good place to try some first.