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Mike Bowles


From:
Princeton, West Virginia, USA
Post  Posted 15 Mar 2012 7:52 am    
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does a black box need to warm up the tube a little before it reaches its full potential? after a little while of playing at practice i noticed a better sound coming from my mullen and 112 it could have been my playing this was the first time that i played steel with this group or actually any group maybe a case of nerves they really loved it now i get to double on steel and my 52 tele im really excited at least i dont have to compete with the lead player thanks guys for any advice my only problem is not playing loud enough
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Mike Bowles
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Dave Grafe


From:
Hudson River Valley NY
Post  Posted 15 Mar 2012 9:05 am    
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All tubes take some time to fully warm up, usually about twenty minutes or so, after which performance becomes stable.
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Mike Bowles


From:
Princeton, West Virginia, USA
Post  Posted 15 Mar 2012 9:11 am     black box
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thanks dave i wasnt sure if it needed to warm up or it was just me and a case of being a little nervous.
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Mike Bowles
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Brad Sarno


From:
St. Louis, MO USA
Post  Posted 15 Mar 2012 10:10 pm    
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With the Black Box and tubes in general, they're basically on and running in about 12-14 seconds, but after 5 minutes they begin to sound more "right", but really it seems that it takes about 20 minutes to really get there. I think it's even more than just the tubes, but also the capacitors and other components in the power supply and in the audio path, and also when ALL of the component temperatures stabilize. It's like everything connected in the tube circuit gets calm and relaxed and then the tubes come to life and begin to sing.

It's a real thing, not imagined. You combine that with your hands warming up for 20 minutes and then you really have an improved tone.


Brad
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Eric Philippsen


From:
Central Florida USA
Post  Posted 16 Mar 2012 8:46 am    
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That 20-30 minute warm-up period is a frustrating thing for me. It always applies to tube gear and often to SS equipment, too. Sometimes the sound of an amp or preamp first turned on is VERY different from how it sounds warmed up. I first noticed it decades ago as a guitar slinging club player. My, that old Marshall warhorse sure sounded fine by the third set.

But the frustrating part is, for example, a studio job where time is most definitely money. I want my "warmed up gear" tone from the start - right now - rather than 20 minutes later.
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Mike Bowles


From:
Princeton, West Virginia, USA
Post  Posted 16 Mar 2012 12:08 pm     black box
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thanks guys i will let it warm up tonight before we play
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Brad Sarno


From:
St. Louis, MO USA
Post  Posted 16 Mar 2012 12:33 pm    
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I like to plug the electronics in and turn it all on first thing. Then set up the rest of the gear.

B
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Jerry Van Hoose


From:
Wears Valley, Tennessee
Post  Posted 16 Mar 2012 2:53 pm    
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Like Brad said.....Idea Whether it be either stage or studio, I always plug in & turn on all of the electronics first. Then, set up seat & steel, make all necessary connections & tune. By then, everything is usually warmed up or at least has a head start.
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