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I wondering how you guys do this in an amp to find the tone your looking for? Should I just switch the pre-amp tubes when the amp is off, then warm up my amp and play? Then turn off the amp and repeat the process again tell I'm done testing the tubes. This seems like a long process with the constant turning on and off of the amp. Could I just put the amp on standby and switch the pre-amp tubes then or is that bad to do?

I think you can hot swap, but you'll need a glove

I'm sure that some will tell you it's best to use the on/ off or at least the standby

over time, I think you'll narrow down your favorites, so it won't be such a long process, but the cost and time factor are a couple reasons that there are so many requests for tube recommendations

Anyone else know for sure if it's safe to change pre-amp tubes while the amp is on?

I think it's a bad idea, since there's still current going into them. It may not ruin the amp, but it'd suck to burn up a component in the preamp section, trying to find out the hard way.

I just shut the amp off, swap'em quickly, then turn it back on, then turn off the standby. It's best to evaluate tubes when you've got the amp in a place where you can crank it, since pre tubes tone is more evident, when you hear it loud. Personally, I like doing it with my #1 guitar, since I know the tone well, and can hear the difference better.

All amps will like particular tubes the best. My favorite current production tubes are GT12AX7C, Sovtek 12AX7LPS, JJ ECC803S, and Tungsol.


Originally Posted by GearjoneserI think it's a bad idea, since there's still current going into them. It may not ruin the amp, but it'd suck to burn up a component in the preamp section, trying to find out the hard way.

I just shut the amp off, swap'em quickly, then turn it back on, then turn off the standby. It's best to evaluate tubes when you've got the amp in a place where you can crank it, since pre tubes tone is more evident, when you hear it loud. Personally, I like doing it with my #1 guitar, since I know the tone well, and can hear the difference better.

All amps will like particular tubes the best. My favorite current production tubes are GT12AX7C, Sovtek 12AX7LPS, JJ ECC803S, and Tungsol.

So you basically saying after I warm up my amp and finish testing one tube I turn power and standby off. Then I switch the tubes quickly, turn on amp and play because the tubes are already warmed from before. Lastly I just repeat the process of turning off and turn back the amp on/play.