Playing a Tube Amp at Max Volume

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Playing a Tube Amp at Max Volume - Jeff - 21:21 24-11-05

This is my first tube amp so I have a lot of questions. One is this. Is
there any danger of "blowing" something from playing the amp at max volume?
I notice when I turn the amp up high I hear a buzzing sound.

Re: Playing a Tube Amp at Max Volume - Rev. J. Toad - 22:55 24-11-05

On Fri, 25 Nov 2005 02:21:34 GMT, "Jeff" <catfisherman62@123yahoo.com>
wrote:

>This is my first tube amp so I have a lot of questions. One is this. Is
>there any danger of "blowing" something from playing the amp at max volume?
>I notice when I turn the amp up high I hear a buzzing sound.

Max volume is where the magic happens. :>

"Fighting crime by building more jails is like fighting cancer by building more cemeteries." - Paul Kelly

Re: Playing a Tube Amp at Max Volume - Patrick Keenan - 23:02 24-11-05

"Jeff" <catfisherman62@123yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:Oyuhf.11191$Au1.7572@tornado.texas.rr.com...
> This is my first tube amp so I have a lot of questions. One is this. Is
> there any danger of "blowing" something from playing the amp at max
> volume?
> I notice when I turn the amp up high I hear a buzzing sound.

With tube amps at max volume, you may need to consider neighbors, i.e., do
you have any and will they call the police?

As to the buzzing sounds, there may be some microphonics or loose parts.
You'll want to be sure that the buzzing is coming from the amp and not from
other things in the room; that speakers are all properly tightened, tubes
are not loose, etc.

If you're planning on using the amp at higher volumes (or at all, really),
the time to sort out issues with it is *now*, before you gig with it. If
you know of a good tech, you might play it for a while, make a list, and
drop it off with him for a quick check.

HTH
-pk

Re: Playing a Tube Amp at Max Volume - Don Evans - 00:02 25-11-05

Re: Playing a Tube Amp at Max Volume - General Specific - 01:50 25-11-05

Jeff wrote:
> This is my first tube amp so I have a lot of questions. One is this. Is
> there any danger of "blowing" something from playing the amp at max volume?
> I notice when I turn the amp up high I hear a buzzing sound.

Is it a buzz or is it a rattle?

Some tubes rattle.

Re: Playing a Tube Amp at Max Volume - Mo - 03:25 25-11-05

"Jeff" <catfisherman62@123yahoo.com> wrote in
news:Oyuhf.11191$Au1.7572@tornado.texas.rr.com:

> This is my first tube amp so I have a lot of questions. One is this.
> Is there any danger of "blowing" something from playing the amp at max
> volume? I notice when I turn the amp up high I hear a buzzing sound.
>
>

Which amp did you get? Sounds like you bought the Valve Junior...it's a
noisy little bugger (I returned mine because it made way too much noise).
Of course you can't hear that when you're actually playing.

That said, I preferred its sound at around 2 o'clock (with 5 being max).

All tube amps will make a certain amount of noise though, especially as you
turn up the volume. But it shouldn't be TOO much. I have a new Laney VC15
here...very quiet.

Another concern-- are you wearing earplugs when you're wailing away like
that? Even a 5 watt amp gets loud enough to destroy your hearing if you
play too loud for too long.

Re: Playing a Tube Amp at Max Volume - Jeff - 05:22 25-11-05

"Don Evans" <gtrdonevans@aol.com> wrote in message
news:-aidnQbBZO16BxveRVn-vQ@comcast.com...
>
> "Jeff" <catfisherman62@123yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:Oyuhf.11191$Au1.7572@tornado.texas.rr.com...
> > This is my first tube amp so I have a lot of questions. One is this. Is
> > there any danger of "blowing" something from playing the amp at max
> > volume?
> > I notice when I turn the amp up high I hear a buzzing sound.
> >
> >
> You don't mention what the amp is. Some amps, combos especially, are
> capable of blowing their own speakers if you play them wide open for any
> length of time. Make sure your speakers can handle the full output of the
> amp.
> --

Its a Fender Blues Jr.

Re: Playing a Tube Amp at Max Volume - Jeff - 05:23 25-11-05

"General Specific" <brad_pitstain@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1132901451.408799.241370@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>
> Jeff wrote:
> > This is my first tube amp so I have a lot of questions. One is this. Is
> > there any danger of "blowing" something from playing the amp at max
volume?
> > I notice when I turn the amp up high I hear a buzzing sound.
>
>
>
> Is it a buzz or is it a rattle?
>
> Some tubes rattle.
>

Buzz..as in it sounds like
this....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Re: Playing a Tube Amp at Max Volume - Jeff - 05:25 25-11-05

"Mo" <yesno@yes.com> wrote in message
news:Xns97195FEBFCEE7oyesyescom@193.252.117.183... /> > "Jeff" <catfisherman62@123yahoo.com> wrote in
> news:Oyuhf.11191$Au1.7572@tornado.texas.rr.com:
>
> > This is my first tube amp so I have a lot of questions. One is this.
> > Is there any danger of "blowing" something from playing the amp at max
> > volume? I notice when I turn the amp up high I hear a buzzing sound.
> >
> >
>
> Which amp did you get? Sounds like you bought the Valve Junior...it's a
> noisy little bugger (I returned mine because it made way too much noise).
> Of course you can't hear that when you're actually playing.
>
> That said, I preferred its sound at around 2 o'clock (with 5 being max).
>
> All tube amps will make a certain amount of noise though, especially as
you
> turn up the volume. But it shouldn't be TOO much. I have a new Laney VC15
> here...very quiet.
>
> Another concern-- are you wearing earplugs when you're wailing away like
> that? Even a 5 watt amp gets loud enough to destroy your hearing if you
> play too loud for too long.

Its a Fender Blues Jr. I dont keep the Amp up very long. I just wanted to
hear what it sounded like at Max volume (I live in a Condo) but I will be
playing it loud in the future. I know you need to wear earplugs but thanks
anyway, always a good reminder.

JMJ HEARS Certified Audiologist Assistant. (Dont do that for a living or
anything, just did it as an Additional Duty in the Army)

Re: Playing a Tube Amp at Max Volume - Rookie - 06:23 25-11-05

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