Do they still make tubes for amps?

There are only two factories in the world that make vacuum tubes for guitar amps. None of them are in America — but that may be about to change. Cobi Boykin works at Western Electric, a factory near the Tennessee-Georgia border.

How often do tubes need to be replaced in an amp?

You can expect a conventional amplifier tube to have a service life ranging up to 10,000 hours. Tubes with military specifications are built to last up to 100,000 hours.

How much do tube amp tubes cost?

Tube amps are expensive because they adopt pre and power tubes as their primary amplification source. Each tube costs roughly $50 and can have up to 4 of them within a single unit. Secondly, these amps have more expensive components, larger cases, and more complex circuitry than solid-state amps.

Can you still buy tubes?

As someone who has been a vacuum technology enthusiast for four decades now it makes me happy to find that tubes are still in production and their industry appears healthy for now.

Why are tube amplifiers better?

Just like our ears, musical instruments and just about everything else natural, tube amplifiers have the least distortion at the lowest levels. This is why a tube amplifier can sound great played softly, while with transistor amplifiers people are usually needing to turn it up to have it sound best.

How long do amp valves last?

“In theory, a valve should have a working lifespan of anywhere between 1,000 and 5,000 hours for common types, and up to 8,000 or so for the more rugged industrial/mil-spec variants.

Is it OK to touch tubes?

It is OK to handle ambient cooled vacuum tubes with bare hands, IF THEY ARE COOL, and skin oils will seldom cause a problem, even if it chars.

Are guitar amp tubes in short supply?

Between inflation, rising gas prices, and ongoing supply chain issues, consumers can’t catch a break. Now, the latest problem specifically impacting audiophiles and guitar players is a shortage of vacuum tubes.

What happens if you leave a tube amp on all night?

There is always risk of damage wherever heat is involved, but the biggest issue with leaving a tube amp on all the time is if a tube blows. This can turn the amp into a dangerous hazard. It could even start on fire, which is a pretty big deal, especially if no one is around to call the fire department.