Amp Standby Switches: How strict are you?
- Thread starter Achilles
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the-trooper
Shredder
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- 1,882
Turn amp on, open case, pick up the guitar, put it on, plug the cable, flick the stand by switch, play. This was 60-90 seconds which is how long it takes for tubes to warm up, they're not getting any warmer.
For turning off I don't even bother with it, I just turn it off and flick the stand by switch next time I turn i on.
For turning off I don't even bother with it, I just turn it off and flick the stand by switch next time I turn i on.
texhex
Roadie
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- 856
I let the amp warm up for 60-90 seconds on standby.
When I power it off I wait 5-10 seconds and then put the amp back on standby so it’s ready when I turn it back on.
Reduces any stress to the power tubes both ways, during power on and then during the time after power off.
When I power it off I wait 5-10 seconds and then put the amp back on standby so it’s ready when I turn it back on.
Reduces any stress to the power tubes both ways, during power on and then during the time after power off.
northern_fox
Roadie
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- 453
Leave it on, all the time forever. That way no one can hear all my mistakes 
paisleywookiee
Rock Star
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- 5,338
Flip on, put guitar on, power on. Stand-by, guitar off, power off. No more than 30-45 seconds.
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- 3,702
My PRS MT15 doesn't have a traditional standby switch. It's more of a "speaker off" switch. Kinda cool because I can run the preamp into an IR this way (with cab still connected of course) and play silently.
Achilles
Rock Star
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Me too. It's only when I started using the little 20 watt 2 x EL84's that don't even have them that I chilled a bit. Still pretty strict about it with the 2 x EL34 Ares though.
Had a flashback a little while ago to my dad taking the chipboard back off of the old tube TV set and damn! you couldn't warmed up leftovers in that thing! No standby switches ever on home appliances.
A good chunk of us guitarists are neurotic.
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TSJMajesty
Rock Star
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- 5,815
Same here. Especially my hands when playing.I am religious about using the Standby. On breaks when gigging I would put it on Standby.
Just like exercise and the human body, a warm up and cool down is important before going
full monty!
Achilles
Rock Star
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- 4,972
How about when you're just hanging around your place - you play a bit and then remember something you needed to do that'll take 5-10 minutes.
Standby on or off?
TubeStack
Rock Star
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- 2,938
5-10 min, I'd just leave the amp on. Longer and yes, I flip to standby.
paisleywookiee
Rock Star
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- 5,338
What about, I turn on the amp, and then a good episode of Parks and Rec comes on, and I decide to have a calzone, then watch another episode?
laxu
Rock Star
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- 5,395
Any time standby is mentioned it's best to establish the terms.
Standby positions:
There's really no need for standby switches, but they can be a convenient mute switch when you want to take a break or something. That's how I use them.
Standby to "Standby" (if it's not already) -> Power "On" -> tune your guitar -> Standby to "Play" -> rawk!
Stop your killer riffs -> Standby to "Standby" -> Power "Off".
Standby positions:
- "Standby" = no sound.
- "Play" = rock n' roll!
There's really no need for standby switches, but they can be a convenient mute switch when you want to take a break or something. That's how I use them.
Turning on:
Standby to "Standby" (if it's not already) -> Power "On" -> tune your guitar -> Standby to "Play" -> rawk!
Turning off:
Stop your killer riffs -> Standby to "Standby" -> Power "Off".
laxu
Rock Star
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- 5,395
That's fine too. I think it's just convenient to flick the switch on the amp.
Elf
Roadie
- Messages
- 302
Same here, I don't even think about it any more.
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