Guitar Amp Standby Switch

Right next to the on off switch on many tube amps is a second switch labeled standby.

Guitar amp standby switch.

What you might not know however is that while that is a conveniently useful function of the standby switch that s not the main reason it s. Guitar amps operate at 500v or less most at under 100w. When you first turn your amp on you want the switch to be in the standby position in which no sound will be produced while the tubes warm up. But let s get one thing straight.

Guitar amp power tubes are inexpensive compared to the cost of say a transmitting tube for a radio station. On marshall s fenders and most other tube amps this is achieved by switching on the power at the main switch leaving it for the necessary time then. Then anywhere from 15 seconds to a few minutes after powering up flip the standby switch to the on position and you re ready to goat whatever volume you like. It s that switch that silences your guitar amp without actually turning it off which comes in handy when break time rolls around at rehearsal or at a gig.

So why do many guitar amps have standby switches. Let me say that a standby switch is a convenience supplied to guitar amps. For short breaks simply turn down the volume control or mute switch if you have one and don t use the standby switch so there is not that nasty pop in the house sound system that could damage speaker drivers. When a tube amp is switched on it should be run in standby for at least 30 seconds preferably a minute the longer the better before applying the dc rail voltage to the power amp tubes.

Only use the standby switch when warming up of the amp. A standby switch does not extend the life of the valves in fact it is more likely to reduce their useful life. Now not all guitar amps have standby switches. For example the carmen ghia and its directly heated 5y3 rectifier does not need a standby switch.

This is meant to let the heaters warm up before the high voltage is switched on. Old books called it preheating. Standby switches and folklore many guitar amps too many include a standby switch. Don t use it as a beer break switch.

The use and need of a standby switch is an issue that comes up from time to time. Standby switch in tube guitar amplifiers. Three reasons that guitar amps should not require standby switches. Low cost low voltage and low power.

This article will explain what the standby switch does and how to use it.