My first tube amp...

[ORCRiST]

Finally pulled the trigger on one of these over the weekend. At first I thought about getting the full mini-stack,
but I thought I'd start small - and if I really want a second (or bigger) cab later, I can always upgrade.

Blackstar HT-5H head and mini half-stack:
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Blackstar-HT5-Series-HT5H-and-HT110-Guitar-Mini-Half-Stack?sku=489746&rec=product_sim_A

I've never bought anything via Musicians Friend before, but so far they seem like a decent company. With a 4th of July coupon,
I got everything for $451.00 shipped, so I'm happy about that.

Thoughts?

ORC

 

[exaN]

I'm actually thinking of buying a smaller amp for band practice and bedroom play, I'll have to look into this amp.

 

[Cagey]

Sounds like a fun little amp, but I would wonder how common that 12BH7 tube is? That's not one that's widely used on guitar amps (or anything else for that matter). Might be worth it to find a couple and buy 'em up as a bank against the future.

 

[Panthur]

From what I've seen, the 12BH7 is pretty readily available (Electro Harmonix are selling them). But it probably wouldn't hurt to have a few spare as there isn't really an alternative replacement (with the possible exception of an ECC99).

 

[ORCRiST]

Can anyone give me any quick tips about tube amps (aka care and feeding) when or when not to use the standby,
how long I should let it 'warm up' (if I even need to), etc., etc. Do they need to be 'broken in' at all or in a certain way?
Do I need to worry about volume levels at all, or can I crank it right out of the box?

I literally dont have clue one about tube amps, so any advice is appreciated!  :icon_thumright:

Thanks!

ORC

 

[Cagey]

Can anyone give me any quick tips about tube amps (aka care and feeding) when or when not to use the standby,
how long I should let it 'warm up' (if I even need to), etc., etc. Do they need to be 'broken in' at all or in a certain way?
Do I need to worry about volume levels at all, or can I crank it right out of the box?

There's not really anything special you have to do or shouldn't do, even from new. They don't require any break-in period; you can turn 'em up to 11 right out of the box and it won't hurt 'em. They do produce some real heat, so watch your placement. You want a little air flow around them, particularly in the back. It takes a bit for them to get good and warm, so it's a good idea to leave them in "standby" while they warm up. Only takes a minute or two, though. Then, "Standby" is used primarily so you don't have touch any controls when you're not using it, but will use it again soon. Keeps it from inadvertently producing any unwanted output while it's sitting idle, and saves you waiting the warm-up period when you go back to it.

Other than that, have a blast!

 

[ORCRiST]

Thanks all.

This thing F-ING ROCKS!!! And I know I've barely scratched the surface. I really like it,
and now I know why tube amps are the shite.

:icon_biggrin: :guitaristgif:

 

[bigguspickus]

I've heard good things about those. :icon_thumright:

T00b amp care instructions:

• Flip the Power switch
• Wait about 2 minutes... tune up the guitar, look cool, talk to the drummer, scratch areas...
• Flip the Standby switch
• Rock. arty07:

 

[Panthur]

Do they need to be 'broken in' at all or in a certain way?

The speaker will 'break in' after a while as with all amps, so over the first few hours / days you might notice it get warmer and the low end get nicer. The louder you play, the quicker it'll happen, so there is another excuse to rock out.  :headbang1: