Swamp_Thang
Strat-O-Master
I want to tinker with tube amps but I am aware it can be fatal. How dangerous are they? Is it only the capacitors you need to avoid or can other parts be dangerous too?
How dangerous are tube amps?
- Thread starter Swamp_Thang
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joebtone
Senior Stratmaster
Yes you can kill yourself real quick.
You don’t ’tinker’ with amplifiers.
You don’t ’tinker’ with amplifiers.
Poke a screwdriver
into a tube amp,
Use your private parts
for piranha bait
Dumb ways to die
So many dumb ways to die
@Swamp_Thang ... looks like you're an Aussie... seemed apropos.
into a tube amp,
Use your private parts
for piranha bait
Dumb ways to die
So many dumb ways to die
@Swamp_Thang ... looks like you're an Aussie... seemed apropos.
rolandson
Dr. Stratster
They can be dangerous.
If you have to ask this question, you have absolutely no business even looking.
This is not stuff you learn while watching a youtube. Take some classes in electronics at a community college or whatever passes for such down under...learn how not to kill yourself.
Anyone who suggests anything short of "knowing precisely what you are doing" is offering the most irresponsible sort of advice imaginable.
If you have to ask this question, you have absolutely no business even looking.
This is not stuff you learn while watching a youtube. Take some classes in electronics at a community college or whatever passes for such down under...learn how not to kill yourself.
Anyone who suggests anything short of "knowing precisely what you are doing" is offering the most irresponsible sort of advice imaginable.
HazyPurple
You've gotta get up!, to get down!
Just use insulated tools and don't touch any bare metal contacts with your skin, you should be good...
FrieAsABird
Senior Stratmaster
I steer clear of tubes for that reason. I do some basic electronic repairs and I can install power outlets etc without any problems, but nope, no tube amps for me
Sucks to get electrocuted. I have one tube amp that I can change the tubes on, and one I won’t. Any amp that needs rebiasing, I take it to the tech.
My Mesa Mark V 25 doesn’t need rebiasing. Plug n play. Just make sure the amp has been powered down.
The Mesa has its manual online. Check and see if your amp has as well.
My Mesa Mark V 25 doesn’t need rebiasing. Plug n play. Just make sure the amp has been powered down.
The Mesa has its manual online. Check and see if your amp has as well.
I was told that playing a big chord and turning off the amp while it's still ringing discharges the caps...
So I did that. Replaced the caps in an old Fender Twin. Burnt myself pretty badly with the soldering iron from memory.
Lesson learnt.
So I did that. Replaced the caps in an old Fender Twin. Burnt myself pretty badly with the soldering iron from memory.
Lesson learnt.
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Even a tech I took one of my tube amps to got shocked a couple of times.
I don't mess around with mine.
I don't mess around with mine.
That bad, huh?
somebodyelseuk
Senior Stratmaster
You don't want one to land on your head if it's thrown out of a hotel room.
In all seriousness, and I expect it's already been said, there are things in there that will fry your balls, even if the thing's been unplugged for weeks, if you touch them the wrong way.
As I usually say, if you have to ask, take it to an expert.
In all seriousness, and I expect it's already been said, there are things in there that will fry your balls, even if the thing's been unplugged for weeks, if you touch them the wrong way.
As I usually say, if you have to ask, take it to an expert.
Lol yeah. In the end he didn't even fix it - luckily I found a better tech.
Anything other than a tube roll goes to my tech. The biggest danger of tube amps (for me) is seeing one I cannot live without.
Lucius Paisley
Senior Stratmaster
Do it. Do it. Do it.
I mean, DO take it to a tech who knows what they're doing.
What did you think I meant?
I mean, DO take it to a tech who knows what they're doing.
What did you think I meant?
This.
I'm an electronics engineer with decades of experience and I treat anything with tubes and HT with extreme caution. Never touch when it's live, and preferably after it has stood overnight or longer to discharge.
And if you don't know what HT is, stick to battery-powered stuff until you are more experienced. That is safe to 'tinker' with, and when you make mistakes, you'll live and learn, instead of dying.
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As a EE with decades of experience I’m surprised by this statement. I’m no EE, but everything I read about safety with high voltage circuit stated that high voltage caps can remain charged for days even weeks…. Is your decades of experience dispute that ?
You are correct. I would leave it overnight and then discharge the caps.
I’ve been working on low voltage circuit for a while (pedals) and I’m obviously thinking about amp builds. The risk, so far, as kept me away…
I’m not planning to mod any amp, but a build from scratch is likely going to require to troubleshoot my build unless I get it right on first try.
I can’t believe one can’t educate himself on proper safe execution without become an EE…
BTW, what does leaving it overnight is supposed to do ?
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