Topmusicanswers
Depending on how often you turn on and turn off your gear, but tubes should last about 5,000 to 10,000 hours. For most people, they only need to be replaced every 2-3 years at most. But it's good to have at least a spare set around just in case one of them decides to die on you.
- How do I know when my tubes need replacing?
- How many hours do vacuum tubes last?
- When should I replace vacuum tubes?
- Do vacuum tubes go bad?
How do I know when my tubes need replacing?
A: These are the most common signs that tubes need replacement:
- Excessive noise (hiss, hum) including squealing or microphonic tubes.
- Loss of high end. ...
- A muddy bottom end; Sounds like there is too much bass and note clarity is lost.
- Erratic changes in the overall volume. ...
- The amp doesn't work!
How many hours do vacuum tubes last?
Tubes don't just "quit" suddenly. They lose their drive capability gradually with use. Small signal tubes like a 12AX7 or 6922 will work well on average for about 10,000 hours. If you leave your equipment on 24 hours a day, well you do the math: There are 8,760 hours in a year.
When should I replace vacuum tubes?
A simple guide is to replace the power tubes twice as often as the preamp tubes, because they wear out more quickly. An amp that is used every day should expect to replace its power tubes every one or two years. If you notice lower output, strange noises, or a "muddier" tone, your tubes probably need replacing.
Do vacuum tubes go bad?
When a vacuum tube develops an air leak (a small crack or bad seal by a pin for example) this getter color will change to pure white. If you see this you know with 100% certainty that the tube is bad. ... This is sometimes due to wrong biasing of the amp, which really isn't a tube problem.
